--- title: What You Need to Know About the PFAS NPDES ICR Proposal description: Pace® PFAS experts do a deep dive into the U.S. EPA’s Information Collection Rule (ICR) proposal for PFAS in wastewater influent, effluent, and biosolids. image: https://blog.pacelabs.com/hubfs/effluent.png --- [![Pace logo](https://blog.pacelabs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/corporate-pace-logo%201-black-blueswoosh.png?width=600&height=410&name=corporate-pace-logo%201-black-blueswoosh.png "Pace logo")](https://www.pacelabs.com/environmental-sciences/) Open main menu Close main menu - [Keeping Pace® with Analytical Services](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services) [Wastewater](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/wastewater) [NPDES](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/npdes) [Biosolids](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/biosolids) [ELGs](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/elgs) [ICR](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/icr) # What You Need to Know About the PFAS NPDES ICR Proposal ![Lindsay Boone, M.Sc.](https://blog.pacelabs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Lindsay%20Boone.jpg?width=45&name=Lindsay%20Boone.jpg) [Lindsay Boone, M.Sc.](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/author/lindsay-boone) [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-pfas-npdes-icr-proposal) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-pfas-npdes-icr-proposal) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-pfas-npdes-icr-proposal) ![](https://blog.pacelabs.com/hubfs/effluent.png) The U.S. EPA recently proposed an Information Collection Rule (ICR) focused on PFAS in wastewater influent, effluent, and biosolids. This post will cover the critical highlights for Pace® customers. For a deeper dive, you can watch the webinar on-demand.   [**Watch: US EPA Information Collection Rule (ICR) Proposal for PFAS and NPDES**](https://info.pacelabs.com/webinar-us-epa-information-collection-rule-icr-proposal-for-pfas-and-npdes)   **What Are PFAS?** Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a diverse group of several thousand known synthetic compounds valued for their inherent properties, such as resistance to heat, water, and oil. For decades, they have been used in the production of hundreds of industrial and consumer products such as carpeting, apparel, upholstery, food packaging, cosmetics, fire-fighting foams, and metal plating. PFAS are bioaccumulative, meaning they build up in the bloodstream and tissues. Since at least the 80s, research has found links between PFOS and PFOA (two common PFAS chemicals) and several health challenges such as chronic kidney disease, thyroid issues, and certain types of cancers.   **Who Will Be Impacted By the ICR?** The U.S. EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap called for a whole of agency approach to monitoring, managing, and remediating PFAS in the environment. PFAS in drinking water has been a top priority, but wastewater, including biosolids, has become a greater priority in recent months.![pfas](https://blog.pacelabs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pfas.png?width=378&height=378&name=pfas.png) Once finalized, this ICR will directly impact Publicly Owned Treatment Works, or POTWs. These are the wastewater treatment facilities owned by a state, municipality, or another governmental entity. POTWs collect wastewater from homes, businesses, and industrial sources and treat it to remove harmful pollutants before releasing the treated water (effluent) into local waterways. POTWs also handle the processing and treatment of sludge and bio-solids generated from wastewater treatment. Businesses are not directly impacted by the ICR as drafted. However, POTWs will be required to sample industrial effluent from up to 10 industrial users of the system. This data will be used as the basis for future Effluent Limitations Guidelines and NPDES permitting.   **When Will the ICR Take Effect?** The ICR is still in the proposal stage, but the required public comment period has passed. The EPA intends to complete this ICR by the end of 2025. Of course, the public comments may impact the final details of the rule. Once finalized, phase one will focus on wastewater, specifically industrial effluent, domestic wastewater influent, POTW influent, and POTW effluent. Phase two of the study will require selected POTWs to analyze sewage sludge or biosolids produced as a byproduct of wastewater treatment.   **Will All POTWs Be Required to Sample?** The proposed ICR includes only the nation’s 400 largest POTWs. The first step involves a survey of these organizations. From that data, the EPA plans to issue testing orders to a smaller subsegment, estimated at 200 to 300 facilities. [A draft of the survey](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-03/potw-influent-study-questionnaire-appendix-a_508.pdf) can be found on the EPA’s webpage.   **Required Test Methods** Required test methods are dictated by the matrices to be sampled and the data to be collected. Phase one testing will assess wastewater for 40 targeted PFAS and adsorbable organic fluorine. Phase two will quantitate those same 40 PFAS in wastewater sludge. EPA 1633 can measure the 40 PFAS in both wastewater and biosolids and is required for phases one and two. Quantitating adsorbable organic fluorine in wastewater, as required in phase one, necessitates EPA 1621. For a deeper dive into these methods, you can watch a replay of [the webinar](https://info.pacelabs.com/webinar-epa-pfas-test-methods-are-now-final-what-that-means-for-wastewater-and-solid-waste-professionals) we conducted shortly after these methods were finalized earlier this year. Pace® laboratories participated in EPA’s validation of these methods as well, so feel free reach out to our Subject Matter Experts if you have any questions.   [**On-Demand Webinar: EPA PFAS Test Methods Are Now Final: What That Means for Wastewater and Solid Waste Professionals**](https://info.pacelabs.com/webinar-epa-pfas-test-methods-are-now-final-what-that-means-for-wastewater-and-solid-waste-professionals)   **Have Questions?** Again, if you missed our recent webinar on this proposed rule, you can [watch that here](https://info.pacelabs.com/webinar-us-epa-information-collection-rule-icr-proposal-for-pfas-and-npdes). As always, if you have questions or would like to discuss a specific project, [reach out to us](https://pfas.pacelabs.com/contact-us) at any time. You can also [request a quote](https://pacelabs.formcrafts.com/PFAS) for services if you’re ready to get started.     ## Related Articles [![](https://blog.pacelabs.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(6).png)](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/astm-d8421) [PFAS](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/pfas) [PFAS Test Methods](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/pfas-test-methods) [Draft Method 1633](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/draft-method-1633) [ASTM D8421](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/astm-d8421) [Method 8327](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/method-8327) ### [Draft Method 1633 is not the Only Option for Analyzing PFAS in Non-Potable Water and Solids](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/astm-d8421) December 2023 Many of our recent discussions around PFAS testing options involve Draft Method 1633. The most recent version, Draft 4, was published in June of 2023 and... ![Nick Nigro, Product Manager – PFAS](https://blog.pacelabs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nick%20Square.png?width=45&name=Nick%20Square.png) [Nick Nigro, Product Manager – PFAS](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/author/nick-nigro-product-manager-pfas) [Read More](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/astm-d8421) [![](https://blog.pacelabs.com/hubfs/PACE-1700-MN-131.jpg)](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/astm-d8421-epa-8327-q-a) [PFAS](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/pfas) [PFAS Test Methods](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/pfas-test-methods) [Draft Method 1633](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/draft-method-1633) [ASTM D8421](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/astm-d8421) [EPA 8327](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/tag/epa-8327) ### [ASTM D8421/EPA 8327 Q&A](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/astm-d8421-epa-8327-q-a) Thank you to everyone who took the opportunity to attend our live webinar on PFAS Test Method ASTM D8421/EPA 8327. We received some great questions during the webinar... [Sherri R. Lloyd](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/author/sherri-r-lloyd) [Read More](https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/astm-d8421-epa-8327-q-a) #### Analytical Services - [Matrices](https://www.pacelabs.com/environmental-sciences/testing-services/matrices/) - [Routine Analytical Services](https://www.pacelabs.com/environmental-sciences/testing-services/) - [Specialty Analytical Services](https://www.pacelabs.com/environmental-sciences/testing-services/specialty-services/) #### Life Sciences - [CMC Development](https://www.pacelabs.com/life-sciences/cmc-development/) - [GMP Laboratory Testing](https://www.pacelabs.com/life-sciences/gmp-laboratory-testing/) - [Medical Devices](https://www.pacelabs.com/life-sciences/medical-devices/) #### About Pace® - [Resource Library](https://www.pacelabs.com/resource-library/) - [Company](https://www.pacelabs.com/company/) - [Careers](https://www.pacelabs.com/company/about/careers/) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PaceLabsUSA) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacelabs) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/PaceLabs) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pace.labs/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lindsay Boone, M.Sc.", "url" : "https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/author/lindsay-boone" }, "dateModified" : "2024-08-14T17:20:14.550Z", "datePublished" : "2024-08-14T16:00:50.000Z", "headline" : "What You Need to Know About the PFAS NPDES ICR Proposal", "image" : [ "https://blog.pacelabs.com/hubfs/effluent.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.pacelabs.com/keeping-pace-with-analytical-services/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-pfas-npdes-icr-proposal", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.pacelabs.com/hubfs/corporate-pace-logo%201-black-blueswoosh.png" }, "name" : "Pace Analytical" } } ```