Wastewater Treatment Plants Channel ‘Forever Chemicals’ Into Waterways Nationwide

Inside Climate News · By Anika Jane Beamer · last updated July 2, 2025 – 1:08 AM

A study by the Waterkeeper Alliance documented elevated PFAS concentrations downstream of wastewater treatment facilities and fields treated with biosolids in 19 states. Unregulated discharge from industry sources are to blame, the group says.

By Anika Jane Beamer

Harmful “forever chemicals” flow from wastewater treatment plants into surface water across the U.S., according to a new report by a clean-water advocacy group.

here today, more tomorrow

We’ve launched briefing.center with a focus on the press and media.

And we’ve added Citizen Cartwright, a daily quick-read news summary by veteran Washington journalist Linda Cartwright. We’ve also created a new voting rights knowledge center for Citizen Cartwright subscribers. (You can sign up for a dedicated morning email at citizencartwright.com.)

You can sign up here for full access to press and media and Citizen Cartwright on briefing.center.

You can use briefing.center as the center of your information management, or just one of your tools. We’re happy to discuss your information needs.