PFAS Regulations Are Working

PFAS Regulations Are Working

A Rutgers Health study published in Environment International offers some rare good news on the PFAS front: New Jersey's strict drinking water limits cut PFOA levels by 55% and PFNA levels by 50% over nearly two decades of monitoring data. The research analyzed about 12,000 water quality measurements from 47 community water systems between 2006 and 2025. The share of water samples outside of safety limits dropped from 49% to 15% for PFOA and from 24% to 2% for PFNA. It’s worth noting that the utilities didn't wait for regulations to kick in, and once the state's Drinking Water Quality Institute recommended limits, water systems started shutting down contaminated wells and installing granular activated carbon filtration in anticipation. The study has caveats: larger systems were overrepresented, private well users aren't covered, and some unregulated PFAS appeared to increase, suggesting chemical substitution by manufacturers.

$1 Water Tests

Researchers at Colorado State University are developing portable, paper-based water testing devices that can detect multiple contaminants simultaneously for about $1 per test (compared to $100 or more for traditional lab analysis). The team uses colorimetric analysis, where color changes in the sample indicate the presence and concentration of pollutants, with results readable via smartphone camera. Their most advanced devices can detect up to seven metal ions at once, including lead and mercury, at very low concentrations, without any pre-treatment of the sample. The devices are durable enough for four weeks of field use and are designed specifically for deployment outside of lab settings. The team is now working on mass production and has already spun out six companies through CSU's tech transfer program, with U.S. Army partnerships in the works to further develop the technology.

Press-Fit Fittings: No Threading or Soldering (Sponsored)

At Specialty Sales, we now offer press-fit fittings in 304 and 316 stainless steel for car wash, manufacturing, and plumbing applications. No threading equipment needed. No torches required. Just insert the pipe, press the button, and the visual indicator confirms a proper crimp. 

What's Available: 

• 🔧 304 & 316 Stainless Steel: 316 offers better corrosion resistance 

• ⚡ Battery-Operated Installation: Crimper replaces threading and soldering 

• ✅ Visual Crimp Indicator (VIPR): Color-coded ring confirms proper installation 

• 💧 Internal O-Ring Seal: Gasket seals when fitting is crimped 

• 🚗 Car Wash & Plumbing Applications: Growing popularity in these industries 

• 🔥 No Flame Required: No torch or fire permits needed 

Press-fit installations typically save up to 30% in costs compared to other joining methods due to labor and auxiliary materials. 

Check out Darrin's video on how press-fit fittings work (3 min), or read the complete guide on our blog:

Interested in press-fit technology for your projects? Contact us by clicking here or reply to this email and we'll get you connected. 

Added to EPA Contaminant List

The EPA took a notable step, proposing to add microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its Contaminant Candidate List for the first time, in a move that could eventually lead to enforceable limits for public water systems. The list, updated every five years under the Safe Drinking Water Act, identifies contaminants not yet regulated under federal law and is used to prioritize research and regulatory decision-making. The announcement came jointly from EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Health Secretary RFK Jr., who has pressured the agency for months to take a harder stance on environmental contaminants. The 60-day public comment period is now open, with the final list expected by mid-November. The only catch is that being on the list rarely leads to actual regulation. In five previous cycles, the EPA has determined that no regulatory action was necessary for most contaminants it considered.

What Is ORP?

ClearWater Industries breaks down oxidation reduction potential (ORP), which is a water quality metric that's common in commercial water treatment but rarely discussed in residential circles. The short explanation: ORP measures how effectively water can neutralize contaminants through chemical reactions, expressed in millivolts. A high ORP means strong oxidizing conditions and effective disinfection, while a low or negative ORP means disinfection may be failing even if chlorine is present. That last point is the key insight. Two water systems can have identical chlorine concentrations but very different ORP readings depending on pH, organic load, and other factors, meaning chlorine levels alone don't tell the full story. ORP is most commonly used in cooling towers, large building plumbing, and commercial water systems where biological growth is a constant risk, but the concept applies anywhere disinfection matters.

What else is happening:

• A company in Ohio is helping help fire stations permanently destroy forever chemicals using a technology aptly named “PFAS Annihilator”

• Related: a new study is showing how protein found in egg whites can be used to bind with (and dispose of) PFAS

• AMPAC USA explains how (and why) reverse osmosis is still the best performer at removing PFAS in 2026

• Florida Water Process Services (FLWPS) acquires South Florida Water Consultants, a move to help bolster their water treatment offering