TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Oregon State University PFAS Study Funding Contribution.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship; Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure.
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SUMMARY:
summary
This report seeks the City Council’s approval for a local contribution of $10,000 towards a biosolids PFAS study to be conducted by Oregon State University. The study is to be funded through a combination of State funding approved by the Oregon State Legislature (HB 2947), U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and contributions from other agencies and local governments that make up the Oregon Association of Clean Water Agencies (ACWA), of which the City of Salem is a member. This funding will assist in addressing the potential environmental and health impacts associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in wastewater treatment biosolids.
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council authorize a contribution of $10,000 from the City’s Utility Fund to support a study of PFAS in wastewater treatment biosolids, to be conducted by Oregon State University?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the contribution of $10,000 from the City’s Utility Fund to support a study of PFAS in wastewater treatment biosolids, to be conducted by Oregon State University.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Oregon State University study will be funded through contributions from:
• Oregon State University (Through HB 2947) $410,000
• U.S. EPA/Oregon DEQ Grant $225,000
• Oregon DEQ In-Kind Grant Match $138,000
• ACWA Local Contributions $165,000 to $231,000
Total Study Budget $938,000 to $1,004,000
HB 2947 was approved by the Oregon Legislature on June 19, 2025, and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. A December 2024 PFAS Wastewater Monitoring Project by Oregon ACWA analyzed effluent, influent, and biosolids from 21 treatment facilities and several industries. Results showed average PFOS and PFOA levels in Oregon biosolids are generally below national averages and screening thresholds used in other states. Oregon’s biosolids land application rates are also well below EPA’s modeled risk levels.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Salem is currently involved in several PFAS-related issues including testing for PFAS in biosolids that result from Salem’s wastewater treatment process. Biosolids, nutrient-rich organic materials from wastewater treatment, are regulated for safety and widely used in Oregon as fertilizers and soil conditioners for non-food crops. They have been known to improve soil health, retain moisture, sequester carbon, and reduce reliance on commercial fertilizers. Because existing wastewater treatment technologies weren’t designed to remove PFAS substances, they are known to exist in biosolids.
At least 10 other states began testing and/or regulating biosolids land applications prior to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency releasing a draft risk assessment on January 14, 2025. The findings of the draft risk assessment show that there may be human health risks associated with exposure to the “forever chemicals” PFOA or PFOS with the land application of biosolids.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has committed $225,000 through an EPA toxics reduction grant under the Columbia River Basin Act for Oregon State University to conduct a PFAS study in biosolids. Additional funding is deemed necessary to meet project funding targets. The approved funding from the Oregon State Legislature combined with contributions from other agencies and local governments are needed to meet the study budget requirements.
The proposed study is critical for science-based decision-making in Oregon. It will help stakeholders determine the thresholds in which biosolids practices may pose PFAS-related risks. In the absence of specific PFAS standards for biosolids, this research will provide essential data for future regulatory and operational decisions.
Jue Zhao, PE, PhD
Assistant Public Works Director, Wastewater Treatment Division
Attachments:
None.