The Kleinfelder Blog

Kirsten Ryan

This blog is authored by Kleinfelder Senior Project Manager and Drinking Water Practice Lead Kirsten Ryan

PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) – these compounds have properties making them useful in a variety of applications and consumer products. However, those same properties cause them to persist in the environment, and studies have linked them to adverse health effects.  PFAS have been found in groundwater, surface water, and precipitation. While public drinking water suppliers did not create the PFAS problem, they are quickly having to identify and implement solutions to fix it.

Focus on Funding: An Opportunity to Move your System Forward

How can having contamination in your drinking water possibly be an opportunity? One silver lining is that, thanks to the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), funding to design and construct treatment solutions is now available. For some systems, this infusion of new capital can be an opportunity to modernize aging treatment facilities and improve water quality by removing other co-contaminants (such as iron and manganese) that affect PFAS removal efficiency. If your community has not traditionally used State Revolving Fund or other Federal funds for construction, you need to be aware and plan on designing, permitting, and procuring your project to meet the Federal and State SRF requirements. These requirements are extensive, but Kleinfelder can help you navigate the details in order to access the most funding as quickly as possible.

Focus on Public Health: An Opportunity to Connect with Customers

Research proves what we instinctively know: more communication is better. The renewed national focus on drinking water is a chance to tell your customers the story of all the unseen hard work your utility does every day. This builds trust that can carry over into times of crisis. Publishing short, frequent updates to let your customers know that you care about improving their water, and that you are moving ahead with solutions, is an investment that will pay dividends. In crisis mode? Put on your thinking C.A.P. and use messages that include Caring, Action, and Perspective elements.

Contact Us

 For more information, contact Kirsten Ryan, Northeast Drinking Water Practice Lead at KRyan@kleinfelder.com.

For help with all your Public Outreach and Communications needs, contact Kleinfelder’s Senior PR Specialist, Muriel Wixson at MWixson@kleinfelder.com.

One small community in MA demolished a dangerous old storage building to reclaim space for a new PFAS treatment building. The project also refurbished damaged well screens and replaced pumps.