JULY 2022

A native of China, the Spotted Lanternfly made its first U.S. appearance in Pennsylvania in 2014. While it prefers Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven, the Spotted Lanternfly isn't picky. Its voracious appetite weakens trees and plants by reducing photosynthesis and carbohydrate storage, resulting in die-offs. Its rapid progression across states like Virginia has prompted state and local agencies and wildlife organizations to issue requests to the public to help them track down and eradicate the Spotted Lanternfly. Follow these links to learn more:

EPA Announces New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFA

Chemicals Agency Establishes New Health Advisories for GenX and PFBS and Lowers Health Advisories for PFOA and PFOS

Recently, the EPA announced the release of health advisories for four perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including interim updated lifetime drinking water health advisories for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), and final health advisories for hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) dimer acid and its ammonium salt (together referred to as “GenX chemicals”) and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid and its related compound potassium perfluorobutane sulfonate (together referred to as “PFBS”). EPA’s health advisories, which identify the concentration of chemicals in drinking water at or below which adverse health effects are not anticipated to occur, are: 0.004 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA, 0.02 ppt for PFOS, 10 ppt for GenX chemicals, and 2,000 ppt for PFBS. Health advisories are non-regulatory and reflect EPA’s assessment of the best available peer-reviewed science.

Waterborne has been applying scientific modeling techniques to understand the fate and transport of PFAS in the environment – these are critical to the development of risk assessment and remediation strategies. To evaluate the movement of these PFAS chemicals in groundwater, specifically the use of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) at the Monterey Bay Airport in California, the GeoPearl model was applied to simulate the chemical concentrations in ground water. These results compared well with available groundwater monitoring data for AFFF at the airport. Building upon this experience, GeoPearl and HYDRUS models are being applied to a larger geography where historic PFAS use was recorded for decades. Results from simulation modeling will be compared with available groundwater and soil monitoring data for the study area.

Waterborne has the expertise and practical utility of applying modeling techniques to understand the PFAS movement in soil and groundwater over small and large geographies. Contact us to discuss strategies to address your specific PFAS challenges. Learn more >>

EPA Announces $60 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Nutrient Pollution Reduction in the Mississippi River/Gulf of Mexico Watershed

Waterborne has been working to support local efforts to develop and assess various land management practices to reduce nutrient loss and improve water quality.

Learn more >>

Here’s Why Fireflies Seem to be Everywhere This Year

As our climate changes, species tend to be on the move looking for the most suitable environment within which to reproduce and live. Waterborne previously presented a case study on estimating range shift of the spotted cucumber beetle (SETAC EU 2022), and we see this happening now with fireflies. Check out this latest Washingtonian article on the abundance of fireflies this year. Learn more >>

Using Goats to Control Landscaping Doesn't Always Go to Plan

Nestled within the Washington D.C. suburb of Leesburg, Virginia, our headquarters doesn't often have the chance to witness decisions to avoid chemical herbicides go awry. But in recent years, Leesburg has done just that in its decision to add goats to its landscaping crew. Sadly, in 2019, one goat succumbed to heat stroke and died while in service, and last year the whole group broke free and roamed the town. Which begs the question, what will happen this year? Learn more >>

Waterborne Environmental is a renowned consulting firm that has provided innovative solutions to the world’s most complex environmental problems since 1993. Our experienced, unbiased scientists and engineers work across industries to evaluate environmental, ecological, and human risks. Our work spans across industry and regulatory agencies to support the balance in the needs of a growing population with the environmental impact on our valuable natural resources.

Our The Current Newsletter is published monthly. Visit us online to find more articles, videos, and information about our work. Click here to contact us.

Waterborne Environmental Inc.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

897B Harrison Street SE

Leesburg, VA 20175

Phone: +1 (703) 777-0005

Connect with us