Alex Cossin

Microplastics were among the most anticipated contaminants during development of UCMR 6. EPA acknowledged receiving significant public interest, including a petition from the governors of seven states requesting that microplastics be included in the monitoring program. However, the agency concluded that available methods are not yet mature enough to support a national occurrence study.

Greywater (also spelled graywater) is lightly used wastewater generated from showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks and clothes washing machines that does not contain toilet waste. Depending on local regulations, water from laundry sinks may also qualify as greywater, while kitchen sinks and dishwashers are often excluded because they contain higher concentrations of grease, food particles and pathogens.

As drinking water utilities work to comply with PFAS regulations, industry leaders at ACE26 in Washington, D.C., argued that the most valuable outcome may be the lessons learned for addressing future contaminants of concern. During the session “Utilizing Lessons From PFAS to Prepare for What's Next,” panelists from the legal and utility sectors discussed how the PFAS experience provides a roadmap for identifying, monitoring and responding to emerging contaminants before regulations are finalized.