ATLANTA – August 21, 2023. Through Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) awarded a $1,581,000 grant to Dalton Utilities to perform an emerging contaminants pilot study.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) allocated funding to reduce exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and additional emerging contaminants. Funding through the CWSRF will focus specifically on PFAS in wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source pollution. GEFA will receive an annual allocation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for emerging contaminants projects through federal fiscal year 2026.

Dalton Utilities collects and treats wastewater from household, industrial, and commercial users and currently treats approximately 22 million gallons of wastewater per day. The size of the treatment facility, the PFAS levels detected in the wastewater, and the positive impact to a sizeable watershed makes it an ideal facility for the pilot study.

This pilot study will generate data for a range of PFAS treatment options to compare treatment efficiencies and operational and maintenance costs. The study will also evaluate PFAS removal and waste destruction technologies.

BIL investment in the water sector includes $50 billion to the EPA to strengthen the nation's drinking water and wastewater systems. 

For additional information, visit gefa.georgia.gov/water-resources/intended-use-plans.