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PITTSBURGH, PA – PFAS contamination is reshaping how water authorities think about their collection and treatment systems. With the EPA’s new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) now enforceable, Pennsylvania municipalities face a critical moment. They need to plan ahead or risk costly delays and non-compliance.
We spoke with Ethan Coffin, PhD, Larson Design Group’s Technical PFAS Specialist, about the challenges and solutions municipalities need to navigate this evolving regulatory landscape.
PFAS Compliance: Science Meets Strategy
“PFAS are persistent, mobile, and come from a variety of sources,” Ethan explains. “From industrial discharges and firefighting foam to septic systems, each source behaves differently in the environment. Understanding how these chemicals mobilize to surface water, move through groundwater and are removed in treatment systems is critical for developing effective mitigation strategies.”
Ethan’s research and expertise in hydrogeology allow him to identify contamination sources, map transport pathways, and evaluate source mitigation and treatment options that align regulatory compliance with practical, cost-effective solutions.
Turning Compliance Challenges into Actionable Plans
PFAS remediation requires more than testing. It demands a strategic, science-driven approach. Under Ethan’s guidance, LDG helps municipalities with:
- Source assessment and targeted sampling plans
- Treatment system evaluation and design
- Permitting and regulatory coordination
- Funding strategy and grant assistance
- Public outreach and communication
“Every water system is unique,” Ethan notes. “By combining research-backed methods with practical engineering solutions, communities can meet MCL requirements while protecting public health and staying within budget.”
RELATED: Click here to download the PFAS MCL Compliance Checklist
Real-World Expertise You Can Trust
Ethan’s accomplishments include developing patented technologies for PFAS removal, publishing extensively in environmental science journals, and translating complex research into actionable plans for water authorities. His work ensures municipalities do not just react but proactively manage PFAS risks.
With the EPA’s PFAS MCLs now in effect, the time to act is now. Even a brief consultation can help municipalities assess their current risk, identify potential compliance gaps, and explore cost-effective solutions.
Click here to connect with LDG.
ABOUT LDG
Founded in 1986, LDG is an award-winning, employee-owned architecture, engineering, and consulting firm offering full-service capabilities and a national reach. For nearly 40 years, we have been providing an extraordinary breadth and depth of value-driven solutions to our diverse client base and investing in the sustainable business practices and innovative technologies that allow us to pursue our shared vision: creatively shaping our world. For more information, visit About – Larson Design Group.