NJPDES Category B and Category L Permittees

PFAS Source Evaluation and Reduction Requirements Survey

 

On March 17, 2021, the Division of Water Quality sent a Request for Information letter to NJPDES Discharge to Surface Water Permittees (Category B) and NJPDES Significant Indirect User Permittees (Category L) requiring all industrial dischargers and significant indirect users to complete a survey as a first step to investigate discharges of PFAS that could potentially:

  1. Cause impacts to surface water and/or
  2. Impact the management of biosolids.

This initial screening involved a review of permittees’ current and past practices that could be sources of PFAS. At some point, it will also be necessary to investigate probable sources, reduce/eliminate the sources found (such as product substitution, operational controls, or treatment), and take other actions to protect surface water and sludge quality.

The intent of the survey was to gather general information regarding the storage, use, and/or handling of chemicals, process aids, or other products that contain PFAS.

Survey Questions for PFAS Evaluation

Found below are the Request for Information and survey questions sent to B and L Facilities. The attached FAQ document was provided to the permittees to guide completion of the survey.

Request for Information: PFAS Monitoring

The Division utilized the survey results to request wastewater samples from these facilities. A Request for Information was issued on August 18, 2021, to 51 permittees. The Request for Information requested permittees take 2 samples, 30 days apart, from each NJPDES permitted outfall. Permittees were required to analyze for specific PFAS analytes.

A second Request for Information was issued on March 23, 2022, to an additional 50 permittees. These permittees were also requested to take 2 samples, 30 days apart, from every NJPDES permitted outfall. Permittees were required to analyze for specific PFAS analytes.