PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals,’ On-Lot Septic System Reg Changes Focus Of DEP Citizens Advisory Council Meeting July 8

The DEP Citizens Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on July 8 and the agenda will focus on PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ contamination research at Stroud Water Research Center and proposed changes to on-lot septic system regulations.

DEP again provided a written update on agency activities to the Council.

On-Lot Septic System Rule Changes

Adam Browning, President-elect of the PA Association of Sewage Enforcement Officers, will make a presentation commenting on DEP’s proposed changes to Chapters 71, 72 and 73 of regulations covering approvals of on-lot septic systems.

This will be the first major revisions to these regulations in 25 years.

Click Here for DEP’s presentation on the regulations from the May Council meeting.

[Note: DEP has scheduled a series of seven meetings of the Sewage Advisory Committee to discuss the proposed regulation changes. The meetings will be held: July 11, 17, 23, Aug. 7, 21, Sept. 15, 16. Read more here.]

PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

Dr. Diana Oviedo Varga, Assistant Research Scientist at the Stroud Water Research Center, will provide an overview of PFAS research at the Center.

Visit Stroud’s PFAS Explained webpage, a paper by Dr. Varga on PFAS in soils treated with biosolids and a Stroud article on PFAS in sewage sludge reaching waterways for more background.

Recent articles on PFAS contamination--

-- DEP To Increase Monitoring, Develop Surface Water Standard For PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' After Study Shows 76% Of Streams, Rivers Contained At Least One Of These Chemicals  [PaEN]

-- DEP: Widespread Presence Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Fresh Water Leading Shale Gas Operators To Use Contaminated Water In Fracking Operations; DEP Doesn’t Require Routine PFAS Testing  [PaEN]

-- Penn State: 18% Of Private Wells Sampled Have PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Levels Beyond Drinking Water Standards; July 2 PFAS Webinar  [PaEN]

-- Guest Essay: How Farmers Are Navigating The Challenges Of PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' - The Growing Problem Of PFAS Contamination In Agriculture  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Hearing Board Will Hear Key Arguments On Appeal By A Washington County Family Alleging Shale Gas Drilling Contaminated Their Water Supply With PFAS And Other Chemicals  [PaEN]

Public Comment Period

Individuals interested in providing public comments during the meeting must sign up 24-hours in advance of the meeting by contacting Ian Irvin at iirvin@pa.gov.  

Commenters are asked to limit comments to 3 minutes to accommodate other commenters and the rest of the agenda.

Click Here for more information on presenting comments.

Join The Meeting

The meeting will be held in Room 105 Rachel Carson Building in Harrisburg starting at 12:30 p.m.  Click Here for options to join the meeting remotely.

For available handouts and more information on the meeting, visit DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council webpage.  Questions should be directed to Ian Irvin, Executive Director, iirvin@pa.gov or (717) 787-8171.

[Posted: July 3, 2025]  PA Environment Digest