SL Environmental Law Group, PC

We're having a great time connecting with municipal leaders and hearing their inspiring stories at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference! If you are at the conference and would like to meet, please send us a message. We look forward to meeting you and learning about your municipality's goals. #CCC25 #localgov

The U.S. EPA released a draft risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS in #biosolids in January 2025, identifying risks to a hypothetical farm family when biosolids with PFAS exceeding 1 ppb are land-applied. Wastewater operators should not be financially responsible for cleanup as they are only passive receivers of #PFAS through residential and industrial waste streams.

When considering using the law to recover contamination costs, municipal leaders may have questions regarding the litigation process. Our latest article explains how environmental law firms can guide municipalities through the cost recovery process from start to finish. #localgov #localgovernment #municipalleadership #municipalfinance

Last Wednesday, California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel introduced legislation that would establish state-level #PFAS drinking water standards at least as stringent as the upcoming EPA national MCLs. If passed, this legislation would require public water providers to remove certain PFAS compounds if detected in their water supplies, regardless of whether federal regulations are rolled back. Public #drinkingwater providers are passive receivers of PFAS produced by polluting manufacturers, and therefore they should not be responsible for the cost of removing them from drinking water. Impacted water systems will require additional funding sources to cover the cost of PFAS treatment.

#Oregon may soon join the growing number of states creating legislation regarding the use of #biosolids as agricultural fertilizer. Wastewater operators should not be financially responsible for cleanup as they do not produce the chemicals and are only passive receivers of #PFAS through residential and industrial waste streams. Still, concerns over the PFAS concentrations in biosolids have grown in recent years. If passed, House Bill 2947 would direct the Oregon State University Extension Service and the College of Agricultural Sciences of Oregon State University to study the presence of #PFAS in biosolids used on some fields.

Although wastewater operators are only passive receivers of #PFAS from various sources, some states are developing regulations requiring them to stop these “forever chemicals” from returning to the environment. This article explores the potential cost impacts to cities and counties and the cost recovery opportunities available. #biosolids #drinkingwater

Americans count on #landfills to manage all their solid waste, including items such as nonstick pans or water-resistant clothing that may contain #PFAS or other hazardous chemicals. Landfill operators are passive receivers that do not produce these chemicals, and they should not be responsible for the costs of managing them. This article addresses potential concerns and available solutions for landfill operators, #wastewater systems that accept leachate, and #drinkingwater providers impacted by groundwater contamination.

What do California’s notification and response levels for 1,4-dioxane really mean? In this article, we take a deep dive into the state’s requirements for #utilities that detect 1,4-dioxane in #drinkingwater.

The US EPA finalized its revised risk determination for 1,4-dioxane in November 2024, concluding that the chemical presents an unreasonable risk to human health through occupational exposure and to fenceline communities. What does this mean for #waterutilities? This article by Christian Bonawandt for Water Online explains the risk determination’s impact. #publichealth #waterquality #environment

As 1,4-dioxane gains attention as an emerging water contaminant, municipal and utility leaders may not yet be aware of its many sources. As with PFAS, industrial manufacturers are primarily to blame for 1,4-dioxane in #drinkingwater. This new article provides a technical background on 1,4-dioxane, from manufacturing to its potential for contamination. #sustainability #watercontamination