PFAS Testing for Wastewater Sludge & Biosolids

Wastewater sludge is the semi-solid material that is generated as a by-product during the treatment of wastewater at sewage treatment plants. After sludge is processed through additional steps such as digestion, composting, or lime stabilization, the material becomes biosolids. These have reduced pathogen levels and odors, and are typically suitable for beneficial uses, such as application as fertilizer or soil conditioner in agriculture. However, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not designed to remove PFAS effectively, leading to their accumulation in wastewater sludge and biosolids. This may cause PFAS to leach into the soil, groundwater or surface water, thereby posing long-term environmental and health risks. Moreover, PFAS contamination in biosolids can lead to bioaccumulation in crops, animals, and ultimately humans. Therefore, accurate and reliable PFAS testing is critical to assess compliance with regulatory requirements, support risk assessments, and guide decision-making on land application or disposal strategies. At Alfa Chemistry, we specialize in providing comprehensive PFAS testing services. Our expertise extends to the critical area of wastewater sludge and biosolids, tailored to wastewater treatment plants, environmental consultants, and industries generating biosolids.

Regulatory landscape and guidelines

The need for PFAS testing in wastewater sludge and biosolids is driven by evolving regulations. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is actively developing guidance and regulations for PFAS in biosolids as part of its PFAS Strategic Roadmap. While federal numeric standards for PFAS in biosolids have not yet been finalized, the EPA is evaluating data under the Clean Water Act's Biosolids Program to determine if regulation is warranted. Draft guidance values for PFAS in soil and biosolids are under review, and PFAS monitoring is being incorporated into national studies and permitting activities.

At the state level, several states have taken the lead:

• Maine became the first U.S. state to prohibit the land application of biosolids containing PFAS above specific levels, driven by cases of contaminated farmland.
• Michigan has issued screening levels for PFOS and PFOA in biosolids and requires testing as part of residuals land application programs.
• New Hampshire and other states have issued guidelines or screening levels for PFAS in biosolids, soil, or leachate from biosolid-amended land.

Types of samples we test include, but are not limited to:

• Primary sludge
• Secondary (waste activated) sludge
• Dewatered sludge (cake)
• Stabilized biosolids (including composted or lime-stabilized materials)
• Land-applied biosolids and soil receiving biosolid amendments
• Leachate from biosolid storage or land application sites

We also assist clients with customized sampling plans to ensure representative testing results aligned with project objectives and regulatory requirements.

Our PFAS testing capabilities

We offer targeted PFAS analysis, extractable organic fluorine (EOF) screening, total organic fluorine (TOF) and total oxidizable precursor (TOP) assay, and non-targeted analysis to provide a more comprehensive understanding of PFAS contamination beyond the targeted analytes.

For targeted PFAS analysis, we routinely test for a wide range of PFAS compounds, including:

Our methods are validated against recognized standards such as:

• U.S. EPA Draft Method 1633 (PFAS in solids, wastewater, and other matrices)
• ASTM and ISO methods where applicable
• DIN 38414 for sludge and waste materials (where relevant for sample preparation and extraction)

Our testing services support a variety of use cases:

• Environmental site assessments for land application areas
• Biosolid management planning
• Landfill leachate monitoring
• Remediation design and verification
• Permit compliance for wastewater treatment plants
• Research and development on PFAS fate and transport in sludge treatment processes

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