World Water Day is held on 22 March, declared by the UN in 1993 to remind us of the importance of this liquid substance vital for our entire planet. Saying that life on Earth wouldn’t exist without it may be a cliché, but it’s true. Water has been a constant companion of Martin Pivokonský from the Institute of Hydrodynamics of the CAS all his professional life. Is there anything new left to be learned about water? The article below was originally published in Czech in the quarterly <a href="https://pdf.avcr.cz/A/2023-03/#page=58">A / Magazine</a> of the CAS.
A life-giving liquid. It can be cool, warm, sweet, salty, tap, spring, rain, ground, mineral, but also stagnant, polluted, sometimes even toxic. Some of these modifiers probably could not be used for any other one single word. The chemical compound has the formula H2O and the systematic name oxidane, but we all know it by its common name: water. To make sure we can associate it as much as possible with its positive attributes, we need to look after it properly. One of the most qualified individuals that’s in the know about all things water is hydrochemist Martin Pivokonský, director of the <a href="https://www.ih.cas.cz/en/">Institute of Hydrodynamics</a> at the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS).
Although his surname evokes another liquid, a beverage that is very popular among the Czechs, it is water which Pivokonský has devoted his career to. As he himself says, his personal relationship to water is not very particular, but neither is it very positive: “The first thing that comes to mind when I think of water is: wet and cold. I don’t really like getting wet, but I feel like I get wet all the time, for instance, whenever I find myself cycling or hiking.” Despite this, water has been a staple of his life for a long time – the researcher has been dedicated to it since his university studies, and his professional relationship to it is very positive.
<h4>From monitoring to testing</h4>
To begin with, it is important to clarify two terms that people sometimes do not distinguish – water treatment and wastewater treatment. Water treatment is the process of turning raw water (surface water or groundwater) into potable water. This is done in water treatment plants. On the other hand, the treatment of wastewater from households, industry, and agriculture takes place in wastewater (or sewage) treatment plants. The treated water is then returned to the water cycle or can be reused – but is not fit for human consumption.
His research concentrated mainly on water treatment, but more recently also on wastewater treatment, is also linked to the Academic Award, or Praemium Academiae (bestowed by the CAS), which Pivokonský received in 2022. With his research team, he focuses on describing and monitoring the occurrence of the composition of contaminants found in water sources, such as natural organic substances and anthropogenic micropollutants, i.e., those originating from human activities. The researcher is also seeking to shed light on their physical and physical-chemical properties that play a role in their removal from water. He is interested in their interactions with each other and with chemical agents used in water purification and treatment.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Akademie_ved_Ceske_republiky_Hydrochemist_Martin_Pivokonsky_on_how_to_improve_water_and_wastewater_treatment_In_2022_Martin_Pivokonsky_right_received_the_prestigious_Praemium_Academiae_701401dd3e.jpg" alt="The Czech Academy of Sciences: In 2022, Martin Pivokonský (right) received the prestigious Praemium Academiae – Academic Award."/>
The research focus of the thirteen-member team is broad in scope. The team is also involved in developing new water treatment methods such as oxidation and photo-oxidation technologies, electrocoagulation, and secondary coagulation that precedes membrane filtration. “In addition, we’re also working on laboratory and pilot-scale testing of new methods and technologies for water treatment and wastewater treatment. In other words, we are interested in the occurrence of pollutants in water, their interactions, and toxicological effects, all with the aim of developing new effective methods for their removal,” Pivokonský specifies.
In order for researchers to be able to fully dedicate themselves to all these areas, they need good conditions for their work. “In the Czech Republic, it’s not so much a lack of equipment or insufficient infrastructure that troubles us. The problem lies in the long-term undervaluation of the financial remuneration for highly qualified workers,” the researcher explains, whose vision of how to make use of the generous financial bonus that comes with the Praemium Academiae is clear – invest in people. He plans to create a strong team of experts that will remain functional even after the financial resources from the awarded bonus have been depleted.
Logically, this leads to the fact that scientists are constantly writing projects in order to have enough money to run their institutions, and they have less and less time for their own science. &quot;Until institutional support is increased to at least eighty percent, there will be no stabilisation of Czech science,&quot; Pivokonský believes.
Just as clear-cut as his vision of a robust research team is his stance on supporting science in the Czech Republic. According to him, the fundamental shortcoming is the fact that institutional funding is lacking, greatly: “Lacking to such a degree, in fact, that without earmarked funding, we wouldn’t even have enough money for the day-to-day operation of our institutions, let alone any serious research.” Logically, this leads to scientists constantly submitting various grant projects just to obtain enough funds for operation, leaving them with less and less time for actual scientific work. “Until institutional support is increased to at least eighty percent, there can be no talk about stabilising Czech research and development,” Pivokonský believes.
<h4>The most valuable natural resource</h4>
Although water covers up to three-quarters of our planet, it is becoming increasingly scarce. It is reported that freshwater constitutes only two-and-a-half percent of the total volume of water. However, this does not necessarily mean that it is potable or usable for industry, agriculture, and other sectors of human activity. Around the world, water sources are contaminated by a variety of anthropogenic substances. These include various industrial chemicals, flame retardants, detergents, pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs, pesticides and their metabolites, components of cosmetic and household products, artificial sweeteners and dyes, heavy metals, and organometallic compounds.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Akademie_ved_Ceske_republiky_Hydrochemist_Martin_Pivokonsky_on_how_to_improve_water_and_wastewater_treatment_Water_around_the_world_is_contaminated_by_a_number_of_6273187945.jpg" alt="The Czech Academy of Sciences: Water around the world is contaminated by a number of anthropogenic substances, including pharmaceuticals."/>
Unfortunately, they usually pose certain toxicological risks: often, these are substances with chronic health effects, even though they occur in water sources at concentrations in the order of “mere” nanograms per litre (ng/l), or micrograms per litre (μg/l). To illustrate, it’s as if we were trying to account for a one-hundred-crown bill in the state budget of the Czech Republic.
“If we take into account, in addition to anthropogenic pollutants, naturally occurring pollutants such as aluminosilicates, humic substances resulting from the decomposition of plant residues, and substances produced by cyanobacteria, water sources today are a mixture of heterogenous substances with complex mutual interactions and difficult-to-define treatment conditions. In this context, it is apt to speak of a ‘cocktail of substances,’” the hydrochemist explains.
Because in the past, water treatment primarily focused on the removal of common natural substances, it is them that current scientific knowledge and technological procedures are aimed at. However, the present-day cocktail of natural and anthropogenic pollutants requires new, focused research, not only to monitor their occurrence, but also to elucidate their hydrochemical role and develop new technological methods for their removal.
“There is an unimaginable amount of substances potentially contaminating our waters, and oftentimes, we don’t even know how much so, because we simply aren’t assessing them. What’s more, many times we don’t even know what these substances are,” Pivokonský explains, pointing out the fact that it is high time to reconsider whether we are assessing the quality of water today according to the right indicators. It is evident that while water sources show better quality in terms of “traditional” indicators than, for instance, at the beginning of the millennium, in terms of “new” pollutants, this may not be the case, or may show even worse results.
<h4>Where there’s danger lurking</h4>
Every day, we use an incredible amount of chemical substances that ultimately end up back in our environment. And because water is an ideal transport medium for many substances, they eventually make their way into water sources, too, even if their life cycle may not directly involve water. A typical example is the widely discussed perfluorinated organic compounds (PFAS). What are they, exactly?
“Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated organic compounds represent an extensive group of several thousand human-made organic compounds characterised by a very strong bond between fluorine atoms and carbon atoms rather than hydrogen atoms. While this gives them unique properties useful in industrial production, they are literally a disaster for the environment,” the researcher explains. The bond between carbon and fluorine does not occur naturally in the natural environment, so there are no natural mechanisms in place to break down these substances.
These substances are therefore persistent (resistant to degradation) and bioaccumulative (accumulating in living organisms). Moreover, they are considered human carcinogens. They are likely the cause of kidney, ovarian, testicular, and prostate cancer. They are also highly reprotoxic (reducing fertility in women), they can increase the risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy and cause pre-eclampsia (a placental disease) and lower birth weight in newborns.
Since PFASs have been manufactured since roughly the 1950s, they are now found everywhere in the world and in virtually all components of the environment, including water and food. “Their occurrence even in small quantities is, in my opinion, alarming. If we were to consider that the concentration of PFASs in water is, say, even just twenty nanograms per liter, and you drink and consume an average of four liters of water per day, your daily intake is eighty nanograms. This is a significant amount, and this is taking into consideration the intake from drinking water alone,” Pivokonský points out.
<h4>Beware of cosmetics</h4>
When the life cycle of the chemicals used is directly dependent on water, unlike PFASs, contamination of water sources can be significant, without us even realizing it. Pivokonský provides an example: “A recent study analysed the amount of chemicals released by dishwasher tablets. It found that more than three-and-a-half thousand different chemical substances are released from a single tablet.” These then enter wastewater and subsequently into water recipients, i.e., places where surface water and wastewater converge, such as ponds, reservoirs, lakes, and watercourses.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Akademie_ved_Ceske_republiky_Hydrochemist_Martin_Pivokonsky_on_how_to_improve_water_and_wastewater_treatment_A_recent_study_showed_that_more_than_three_and_a_half_thousand_different_chemicals_26674119f6.jpg" alt="The Czech Academy of Sciences: A recent study showed that more than three and a half thousand different chemicals are released from dishwasher tablets."/>
However, dishwasher tablets are not the only concern. While drugs and hormones are relatively well broken down by natural processes, due to their overall high daily consumption in society, we find them in practically every water source. According to Pivokonský, what gets somewhat overlooked in discussions are so-called personal care products. A typical representative of this group of substances is, for instance, triclosan, which has antibacterial and fungicidal effects. It gets added to soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, shaving cream, mouthwash, and cleaning agents. However, it is also found in kitchen utensils, toys, bed linen, and garbage bags. Its effects on human health are debated; nevertheless, it appears to be a substance that affects the endocrine system, specifically the thyroid gland.
Pivokonský emphasises that the problem is not so much the concentration of individual substances but rather their overall mix and synergistic effect on living organisms: “Sometimes I am truly astounded by the tired argument of certain technocrats that all the substances we analyse in water or other components of the environment have always been there and we just didn’t know it because we didn’t have the appropriate analytical capabilities. This is a complete fallacy! Anthropogenic substances can only have been present in water since we started producing them.”
According to the researcher, another dangerous misconception is the claim that water is devoid of these substances or that their concentrations are so low that they are not worth paying attention to. Today, we produce a huge amount of chemicals and use them so to such an extent that they are simply everywhere, including in the water. Hundreds, perhaps thousands or tens of thousands of chemical substances enter the water. “But how many of them do we actually assess? Dozens realistically, occasionally in some study, hundreds. However, this may only represent a fraction of the actual situation,” Pivokonský says. There are countless substances polluting our water. If we were to mention them all, it would make for a lengthy publication.
Protecting water sources, protecting our air, protecting agricultural land, protecting our seas and oceans, protecting biodiversity... We are already protecting the entire planet, yet our environment continues to deteriorate. How is this possible? Pivokonský wonders, answering himself straight away: “It’s probably because the sentiment sounds good on paper, but in reality, we’re not actually protecting much. We should stop hiding behind the protection of everything and admit that what we really care about is the protection of ourselves and our own human existence here and now. Then perhaps we could finally start living and managing things sensibly, thereby actually protecting everything mentioned above.”
<h4>Opposites attract</h4>
Some people are said to be like fire and water. In Pivokonský, both elements intertwine in one person. His lifelong passion is water, but as a Sagittarius, he falls under the fire signs in the zodiac. Sagittarians are said to excel in their idealism and sincerity, they yearn for truth and knowledge, and their lives tend to be active and adventurous. Freedom is important to them, and they do a lot to pursue what they believe in and enjoy. They are honest, straightforward, and at times can be accused of lacking tact.
“Personally, I don’t believe in astrology. However, I must admit that this characterisation actually fits me. I am very honest and straightforward, to the point where I often put people in awkward situations. Sometimes it can even cause me a bit of trouble because I always consider it best to say what I think, which is a mindset not everyone understands,” Pivokonský says. He also adds that he cannot do things he doesn’t believe in – and on the contrary, devoting himself to what he believes in is very enjoyable for him.
He considers freedom, both personal and professional, the greatest gift. He views science as one of the freest activities there is: “I once said that science is an aristocratic calling in the best sense of the word, meaning that it gives us tremendous freedom to explore what we ourselves deem important, but on the other hand, it imposes enormous demands on us considering that it is a service to society. In other words, it is essential for us to have the freedom in deciding the direction of our research, but at the same time, it must be an absolute given for every scientist that their research is public, transparent, and serves humanity as a whole.”
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Universitas_Chemizace_zivotniho_prostredi_je_brutalni_Jedina_tableta_do_mycky_vypusti_tisice_ruznych_latek_15f44e1c1c/Universitas-Chemizace-zivotniho-prostredi-je-brutalni.-Jedina-tableta-do-mycky-vypusti-tisice-ruznych-latek..jpg" alt="The Czech Academy of Sciences: Martin Pivokonský (CC)"/>
<blockquote>
<h5>Assoc. Prof. RNDr. Martin Pivokonský, Ph.D.</h5>
Institute of Hydrodynamics at the Czech Academy of Sciences
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
Pivokonský has been the director of the Institute of Hydrodynamics of the CAS since 2017. He studied Environmental Studies at the Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, and subsequently pursued the field of Applied and Landscape Ecology. As an educator, he lectures on hydrochemistry, water pollution and protection, and the treatment of groundwater and surface water. He is the author of several utility models, patents, and over sixty publications in academic journals, and he has co-authored several books, such as Coagulation in Water Treatment and Jar Tests for Water Treatment Optimisation: How to Perform Jar Tests – a handbook. As a researcher, his primary focus is hydrochemistry, water treatment and purification, water protection, and other environmental issues related to water pollution. In 2021, he received the President&#39;s Award from the Czech Science Foundation, and a year later, he was awarded the prestigious Praemium Academiae by the Czech Academy of Sciences.
</blockquote>

Hydrochemist Martin Pivokonský on how to improve water and wastewater treatment

WASHINGTON - Today, April 10, the Biden-Harris Administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (<a href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?search=PFAS">PFAS</a>), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children. This final rule represents the most significant step to protect public health under <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024">EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap</a>. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses. Today’s announcement complements <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/10/18/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-launches-plan-to-combat-pfas-pollution/#:~:text=Consistent%20with%20President%20Biden&#39;s%20commitment,from%20discharging%20PFAS%20into%20America&#39;s">President Biden’s government-wide action plan</a> to combat PFAS pollution.
<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/US_Environmental_Protection_Agency_US_Environmental_Protection_Agency_press_release_29a82ee333.jpg" alt="US Environmental Protection Agency: US Environmental Protection Agency news release."/>
Through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, EPA is also making unprecedented funding available to help ensure that all people have clean and safe water. In addition to today’s final rule, EPA is announcing nearly <a href="https://www.epa.gov/dwcapacity/emerging-contaminants-ec-small-or-disadvantaged-communities-grant-sdc">$1 billion in newly available funding</a> through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. This is part of a $9 billion investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants – the largest-ever investment in tackling PFAS pollution. An additional $12 billion is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for general drinking water improvements, including addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan will join White House Council on Environmental Quality Chair Brenda Mallory to announce the final standard today at an event in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In 2017, area residents learned that the Cape Fear River, the drinking water source for 1 million people in the region, had been heavily contaminated with PFAS pollution from a nearby manufacturing facility. Today’s announcements will help protect communities like Fayetteville from further devastating impacts of PFAS.
“Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That is why President Biden has made tackling PFAS a top priority, investing historic resources to address these harmful chemicals and protect communities nationwide. Our PFAS Strategic Roadmap marshals the full breadth of EPA’s authority and resources to protect people from these harmful forever chemicals. Today, I am proud to finalize this critical piece of our Roadmap, and in doing so, save thousands of lives and help ensure our children grow up healthier.”
“President Biden believes that everyone deserves access to clean, safe drinking water, and he is delivering on that promise,” said Brenda Mallory, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “The first national drinking water standards for PFAS marks a significant step towards delivering on the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to advancing environmental justice, protecting communities, and securing clean water for people across the country.”
“Under President Biden’s leadership, we are taking a whole-of-government approach to tackle PFAS pollution and ensure that all Americans have access to clean, safe drinking water. Today’s announcement by EPA complements these efforts and will help keep our communities safe from these toxic ‘forever chemicals,’” said Deputy Assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot, Dr. Danielle Carnival. “Coupled with the additional $1 billion investment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to help communities address PFAS pollution, the reductions in exposure to toxic substances delivered by EPA’s standards will further the Biden Cancer Moonshot goal of reducing the cancer death rate by at least half by 2047 and preventing more than four million cancer deaths — and stopping cancer before it starts by protecting communities from known risks associated with exposure to PFAS and other contaminants, including kidney and testicular cancers, and more.”
EPA is taking a signature step to protect public health by establishing legally enforceable levels for several PFAS known to occur individually and as mixtures in drinking water. This rule sets limits for five individual PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (also known as “GenX Chemicals”). The rule also sets a limit for mixtures of any two or more of four PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX chemicals.” By reducing exposure to PFAS, this final rule will prevent thousands of premature deaths, tens of thousands of serious illnesses, including certain cancers and liver and heart impacts in adults, and immune and developmental impacts to infants and children.
This final rule advances President Biden’s commitment to ending cancer as we know it as part of the Biden Cancer Moonshot, to ensuring that all Americans have access to clean, safe, drinking water, and to furthering the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to environmental justice by protecting communities that are most exposed to toxic chemicals.
EPA estimates that between about 6% and 10% of the 66,000 public drinking water systems subject to this rule may have to take action to reduce PFAS to meet these new standards. All public water systems have three years to complete their initial monitoring for these chemicals. They must inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water. Where PFAS is found at levels that exceed these standards, systems must implement solutions to reduce PFAS in their drinking water within five years.
The new limits in this rule are achievable using a range of available technologies and approaches including granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange systems. For example, the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, serving Wilmington, NC – one of the communities most heavily impacted by PFAS contamination – has effectively deployed a granular activated carbon system to remove PFAS regulated by this rule. Drinking water systems will have flexibility to determine the best solution for their community.
EPA will be working closely with state co-regulators in supporting water systems and local officials to implement this rule. In the coming weeks, EPA will host a series of webinars to provide information to the public, communities, and water utilities about the final PFAS drinking water regulation. To learn more about the webinars, please visit EPA’s <a href="https://epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas#Webinars">PFAS drinking water regulation webpage</a>. EPA has also published a <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/pfas-communications-toolkit">toolkit of communications resources</a> to help drinking water systems and community leaders educate the public about PFAS, where they come from, their health risks, how to reduce exposure, and about this rule.
“We are thankful that Administrator Regan and the Biden Administration are taking this action to protect drinking water in North Carolina and across the country,” said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. “We asked for this because we know science-based standards for PFAS and other compounds are desperately needed.”
“For decades, the American people have been exposed to the family of incredibly toxic ‘forever chemicals’ known as PFAS with no protection from their government. Those chemicals now contaminate virtually all Americans from birth. That’s because for generations, PFAS chemicals slid off of every federal environmental law like a fried egg off a Teflon pan — until Joe Biden came along,” said Environmental Working Group President and Co-Founder Ken Cook. “We commend EPA Administrator Michael Regan for his tireless leadership to make this decision a reality, and CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory for making sure PFAS is tackled with the ‘whole of government’ approach President Biden promised. There is much work yet to be done to end PFAS pollution. The fact that the EPA has adopted the very strong policy announced today should give everyone confidence that the Biden administration will stay the course and keep the president’s promises, until the American people are protected, at long last, from the scourge of PFAS pollution.”
“We learned about GenX and other PFAS in our tap water six years ago. I raised my children on this water and watched loved ones suffer from rare or recurrent cancers. No one should ever worry if their tap water will make them sick or give them cancer. I’m grateful the Biden EPA heard our pleas and kept its promise to the American people. We will keep fighting until all exposures to PFAS end and the chemical companies responsible for business-related human rights abuses are held fully accountable,” said Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear.
<h5>More details about funding to address PFAS in Drinking Water</h5>
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA is making an unprecedented $21 billion available to strengthen our nation’s drinking water systems, including by addressing PFAS contamination. Of that, $9 billion is specifically for tackling PFAS and emerging contaminants. The financing programs delivering this funding are part of President Biden’s <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/environmentaljustice/justice40/">Justice40 Initiative</a>, which set the goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that have been historically marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution.
Additionally, EPA has a nationwide Water Technical Assistance program to help small, rural, and disadvantaged communities access federal resources by working directly with water systems to identify challenges like PFAS; develop plans; build technical, managerial, and financial capacity; and apply for water infrastructure funding. <a href="https://www.epa.gov/water-infrastructure/water-technical-assistance-programs">Learn more about EPA’s Water Technical Assistance programs</a>.
<h5>More details about the final PFAS drinking water standards:</h5>
<ul>
<li>For PFOA and PFOS, EPA is setting a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a non-enforceable health-based goal, at zero. This reflects the latest science showing that there is no level of exposure to these contaminants without risk of health impacts, including certain cancers.</li>
<li>EPA is setting enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels at 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, individually. This standard will reduce exposure from these PFAS in our drinking water to the lowest levels that are feasible for effective implementation.</li>
<li>For PFNA, PFHxS, and “GenX Chemicals,” EPA is setting the MCLGs and MCLs at 10 parts per trillion.</li>
<li>Because PFAS can often be found together in mixtures, and research shows these mixtures may have combined health impacts, EPA is also setting a limit for any mixture of two or more of the following PFAS: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and “GenX Chemicals.” EPA is issuing this rule after reviewing extensive research and science on how PFAS affects public health, while engaging with the water sector and with state regulators to ensure effective implementation. EPA also considered 120,000 comments on the proposed rule from a wide variety of stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
<h5>Background:</h5>
PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are prevalent in the environment. PFAS are a category of chemicals used since the 1940s to repel oil and water and resist heat, which makes them useful in everyday products such as nonstick cookware, stain resistant clothing, and firefighting foam. The science is clear that exposure to certain PFAS over a long period of time can cause cancer and other illnesses. In addition, PFAS exposure during critical life stages such as pregnancy or early childhood can also result in adverse health impacts.
Across the country, PFAS contamination is impacting millions of people’s health and wellbeing. People can be exposed to PFAS through drinking water or food contaminated with PFAS, by coming into contact with products that contain PFAS, or through workplace exposures in certain industries.
Since EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024">PFAS Strategic Roadmap</a> in October 2021, EPA has taken action – within the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach – by advancing science and following the law to safeguard public health, protect the environment, and hold polluters accountable. The actions described in the PFAS Strategic Roadmap each represent important and meaningful steps to protect communities from PFAS contamination. Cumulatively, these actions will build upon one another and lead to more enduring and protective solutions. In December 2023, the EPA released its <a href="https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-12/epas-pfas-strategic-roadmap-dec-2023508v2.pdf">second annual report on PFAS progress</a>. The report highlights significant accomplishments achieved under the EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.

Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes First-Ever National Drinking Water Standard to Protect 100M People from PFAS Pollution

Simple on-site extraction and GC-MS analysis of rotenone and degradation products for monitoring invasive fish eradication treatments in fresh and brackish waters

<div><div><div><h4>Saturated Spring</h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://biology.nd.edu/people/gary-lamberti/">Gary Lamberti</a>, the Rev. Julius A. Nieuwland, C.S.C., Professor of Aquatic Science in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://biology.nd.edu/">Department of Biological Sciences</a> at the University of Notre Dame, has studied the ecology and environmental biology of freshwater ecosystems for more than 40 years.He’s published more than 200 studies—and counting—that explore human impacts on stream and wetland ecosystems, the ecology and control of invasive aquatic plants and animals, and the impacts of emerging contaminants in the Great Lakes watershed.But it was during a chance encounter with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://physics.nd.edu/people/graham-peaslee/">Graham Peaslee</a>, a nuclear physicist in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, at an event hosted by Notre Dame’s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://environmentalchange.nd.edu/">Environmental Change Initiative</a> in 2019, that Lamberti learned about a contaminant he hadn’t yet studied: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://lcms.labrulez.com/library?search=PFAS">per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)</a>.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Barbara_Johnston_The_Forever_Problem_Part_1_Professor_Gary_Lamberti_259b498540.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame / Barbara Johnston: Professor Gary Lamberti." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Barbara_Johnston_The_Forever_Problem_Part_1_Professor_Gary_Lamberti_259b498540.jpg 156w," sizes="100vw" width="1200" height="1200"><div>Peaslee is a leading expert on PFAS, a class of fluorinated compounds with exceptionally strong chemical and thermal stability, inherently repellent to oil, water, soil, and stains. The chemicals have been widely used in industrial and commercial applications ranging from nonstick cookware to firefighting foams. Peaslee had pioneered a new method to detect PFAS in consumer products including fast-food wrappers, cosmetics, textiles, plastic containers, face masks, and even drinking water.The chemicals can migrate off surfaces onto skin, into food and dust, creating multiple pathways of exposure. We inhale them, ingest them, absorb them—and they accumulate in our bloodstream.<blockquote><h4>Molecular structure of PFAS</h4><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_The_Forever_Problem_Part_1_Perfluorooctanoic_acid_PFOA_is_a_class_of_PFAS_phased_out_of_use_in_2015_55f0d425fc.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), is a class of PFAS phased out of use in 2015." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_The_Forever_Problem_Part_1_Perfluorooctanoic_acid_PFOA_is_a_class_of_PFAS_phased_out_of_use_in_2015_55f0d425fc.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1111" height="632"></blockquote>&nbsp;PFAS have been linked to several adverse health conditions including immunosuppression, hormonal dysregulation, developmental delays in children, low birth weight and accelerated puberty, high blood pressure in pregnant women, and an increased risk of some cancers, such as kidney and testicular cancer.They do not degrade or break down, and scientists say they can persist in the environment for thousands of years, earning them another name: “forever chemicals.”It all sounded eerily familiar to Lamberti. A toxic, persistent chemical, the use of which had contaminated lakes, wetlands, rivers—even ocean waters; saturated the soil; polluted the air; and posed a hazardous risk to all living organisms...He’d seen this before with dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, better known as DDT, a synthetic and highly persistent pesticide widely used in the 1950s and ’60s. Mounting concerns about environmental contamination and the chemical’s toxicity on wildlife and humans led to regulations and eventually a cancellation order issued by the Environmental Protection Agency in the 1970s.<blockquote><h4>“PFAS,” Lamberti said, “is the DDT of the 21st century.”</h4></blockquote>Lamberti had more than a few ideas for PFAS studies. Research was limited when it came to PFAS contamination in Lake Michigan—familiar territory for Lamberti.In 2020, he and Peaslee went to work on a number of proposals for grant funding and started a new study of Lake Michigan fish. Previous research had found that fish in most of the Great Lakes contained measurable amounts of PFAS. Lamberti knew that Great Lakes fish were contaminated with forever chemicals, and that the chemicals persisted in the environment and accumulated in the bloodstream—and he wondered about the potential for what he called “maternal offloading.”Could female fish pass on PFAS to their offspring?Officials with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service routinely sample fish, water, and sediment to evaluate the status and health of Lake Michigan’s fisheries, which contribute millions of dollars annually to the economies of Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin, while supporting thousands of jobs in charter and commercial fishing.Lamberti’s lab partnered with each organization to collect samples of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, and steelhead that were migrating up Lake Michigan tributaries to their spawning grounds. In all, the researchers collected 42 samples from mature male and female fish.When the samples arrived in 2021, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy had identified an estimated 213 PFAS hotspots throughout the state—many of them connecting via waterways to the Great Lakes.An analysis of the male and female salmon muscle tissue, as well as eggs extracted from the female fish, showed that 85 percent contained measurable concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a type of PFAS that was phased out of use in 2002, and 19 percent tested positive for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), another class of PFAS phased out of use in 2015.But the most concerning result of the study was that PFOS concentrations were 100 times higher in the eggs compared to the muscle tissue of the female salmon.“Several different mechanisms could explain why PFAS is being passed on from mother to egg,” Lamberti explained. “It could be that the mother fish have accumulated PFAS from the lake water and they’re passing it on to the eggs during ovarian development. Another possibility is that the mother is consuming food contaminated with PFAS during development and it’s passed on nutritionally to the eggs. That’s what we still don’t know. Either way, this creates a contaminant "biotransport" issue as salmon migrate from the lake to a cleaner river.”Lamberti’s lab is looking at the “riverine PFAS cycle,” which starts with migrating salmon whose eggs are a preferred source of food for other fish and wildlife. When consumed, the PFAS can bioaccumulate in stream fish, which is then passed on to their own eggs or the fish themselves are eaten—sometimes by humans—resulting in a never-ending cycle of contamination.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/University_of_Notre_Dame_Barbara_Johnston_The_Forever_Problem_Part_1_Professor_Gary_Lamberti_s_lab_is_studying_the_riverine_PFAS_cycle_which_starts_with_migrating_salmon_whose_eggs_e832f55066.jpg" alt="University of Notre Dame / Barbara Johnston: Professor Gary Lamberti’s lab is studying the “riverine PFAS cycle,” which starts with migrating salmon whose eggs are a preferred source of food for other fish and wildlife." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_University_of_Notre_Dame_Barbara_Johnston_The_Forever_Problem_Part_1_Professor_Gary_Lamberti_s_lab_is_studying_the_riverine_PFAS_cycle_which_starts_with_migrating_salmon_whose_eggs_e832f55066.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1920" height="1080">For another study, the lab measured PFAS concentrations in more than 200 predator and prey fish from Lake Michigan, including alewives, sculpins, salmon, and lake trout. The goal was to create a clearer picture of concentrations in Lake Michigan fish and to better understand the potential for biomagnification, the dietary passage of compounds from one organism to another.The study showed PFAS were present in 98 percent of those samples. Results indicated the chemicals were passing from prey fish to predator fish, suggesting a dietary connection.This study led to other research showing higher concentrations in the fish organs—including the heart, liver, and kidneys—and in blood taken from those samples.“The lowest concentrations were seen in muscle tissue,” Lamberti said. “So, eating a fillet may be a lower dose of PFAS, but it’s definitely not clean.”Previous work in the lab showed that similar fish samples also contained measurable PCBs, mercury, and other chlorinated compounds.“We need to know more about the pathway of these chemicals,” Lamberti said. “How do they get into the fish? It’s either through diet or through the water and sediment in the environment. We’re trying to learn more about how PFAS interact with the food web. We need to know how they get from the environment into the food web and ultimately into the fish that people consume. That’s why we’re meticulously sampling water, sediment, plants, and wildlife in the lake—to trace the pathways. Because only then can you think about remediation.”But what does remediation look like? How do you eliminate chemicals engineered to stand the test of time?How do you clean up forever?<blockquote><ul><li>Part 1: The Forever Problem</li><li>Part 2: How We Got Here</li><li>Part 3: A Real Mess</li><li>Part 4: We Have A Responsibility</li></ul></blockquote><div>Produced by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications<ul><li>Writer: Jessica Sieff</li><li>Photographer: Barbara Johnston</li></ul></div>&nbsp;</div></div></div></div>

The Forever Problem: Part 1

The Mediterranean Sea is facing a&nbsp;threat from persistent organic pollutants (POPs), a&nbsp;class of synthetic chemicals which persist in the environment for years. They pose a&nbsp;significant danger to marine ecosystems and ultimately human health because they can build up in the tissues of living organisms as they move up the food chain (processes known as bioaccumulation and biomagnification).To address this threat, a&nbsp;new research project, “Levels and air-sea exchange of persistent organic pollutants in the marginal sea of Europe: contribution to the global monitoring effort AQUA-GAPS/MONET” is currently underway in the Mediterranean Sea.The project, led by the research centre RECETOX of Masaryk University (Brno, Czech Republic), makes use of the EMSO Physical Access Programme at the ERIC’s Regional Facility <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://emso.eu/observatories-node/cretan-sea/">Cretan Sea</a>, operated by the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hcmr.gr/en/">Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR).</a>This research aims to analyse the presence, seasonal variations, and air-sea exchange of a&nbsp;wide range of POPs, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), DDT, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), brominated flame retardants and others, using passive sampling. It will occur throughout four seasons, painting a&nbsp;complete picture of the Mediterranean’s pollution levels and their variations during one year.<h4>Passive sampling for monitoring marine pollution</h4>Unlike traditional methods for monitoring marine pollution that rely on analysing grab water samples or catching and analyzing fish, passive samplers are simple devices typically made of silicone sheet (or other polymer). These samplers are deployed in the water for extended periods, allowing POPs to passively accumulate within the polymer material. An equivalent process is also used to monitor airborne pollutants. The passive sampling method offers several advantages:<ul><li>Consistent Data: Passive samplers provide consistent data because their uptake rate is not influenced by variable biological factors affecting fish tissue concentrations, such as age, diet, or species variations</li><li>Targeted Sampling: The polymer material in the samplers has a&nbsp;high affinity for POPs. This targeted approach ensures efficient capture and spontaneous accumulation (without external energy source) of these contaminants from the water environment.</li><li>Simplified Monitoring: Deploying and retrieving passive samplers is significantly less labour-intensive compared to traditional fish sampling methods or active sampling of large volumes of water required to detect the ultra-trace concentrations of POPs present in seawater.</li><li>Long-Term Trends: Passive samplers can be deployed for extended periods, allowing researchers to obtain representative time-integrative samples and track seasonal variations in POP concentrations and establish long-term monitoring trends.</li></ul><h4>Project objectives and impact</h4>The project will involve four subsequent deployments of passive water and air samples in the Cretan Sea at the E1-M3A marine observatory to cover all four seasons. Each deployment will last three months, and the seasonality of aqueous and atmospheric concentrations of investigated compounds will be evaluated in one central laboratory, by the RECETOX team. The HCMR team successfully deployed the first set of passive samplers offshore in April at the M3A marine buoy of the Regional Facility operative site. The analysis of POPs will commence soon at the RECETOX Centre.Passive sampling can conveniently be used for monitoring of POPs in the aquatic environment. The principle is very simple: POPs dissolve better in the passive sampler polymer than in water (or air) – thus, the chemical spontaneously diffuse to and accumulate in the sampler without the need of actively extracting them from water (or air). The time-integrating properties of passive sampling in combination with the application of a&nbsp;sampling matrix (silicone polymer or other suitable sorbents) with well-defined and constant properties make it possible to achieve a&nbsp;lower inherent variability of exposure information compared to traditional active sampling of water or air. Due to the time-integrative sampling design, limits of detection in the lower picogram per litre range of monitored POPs can be achieved, which is not feasible using conventional grab sampling. The samplers will be shipped from RECETOX, Brno, Czech Republic, and after exposure back to RECETOX for chemical analysis. Sample extraction and instrumental analysis using gas or liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry will be performed in the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.recetox.muni.cz/en/services/recetox-central-laboratories">RECETOX central laboratories</a>, accredited for standard analysis methods CSN EN ISO/IEC 17025. The results will be used to derive aqueous and air concentrations of investigated POPs and other so-called emerging contaminants, and conclusions on air-sea exchange and pollution sources will be drawn.The E1-M3A marine observatory has become a&nbsp;regular site for monitoring within the AQUA-GAPS/MONET global monitoring network of legacy POPs in surface waters at sites with background pollution. Besides providing a&nbsp;platform for mounting passive samplers at a&nbsp;remote location in the open sea, the infrastructure will provide valuable meteorological data (wind velocity, air temperature), salinity and water temperature (at or very close to deployment depth) to support the POPs aqueous and atmospheric data interpretation.This project is a&nbsp;collaborative effort of RECETOX which will provide the expertise and samplers, and the HCMR team which will be instrumental in deploying and retrieving samplers from the designated location. This strategic placement ensures the samplers capture pollution representative for the marine background levels in the region.Branislav Vrana, associated Professor of Environmental Chemistry at Masaryk University, who led the research, explains its significance: “This project will improve the understanding of investigated POPs in the Mediterranean, establishing baseline levels and identifying trends in their concentrations over time. It will also contribute valuable data to the Global Monitoring Plan of the Stockholm Convention on POPs and to the AQUA-GAPS/MONET, the global monitoring network focusing on various dissolved persistent organic pollutants and other emerging contaminants. This information will be crucial for guiding actions to protect the health of our oceans and ourselves.”

A new project in the EMSO Physical Access programme tackles marine persistent pollutants

Virtually no laboratory today can do without a source of purified water. The amount produced and the required purity depend on a number of factors, but it is always true that we expect stable performance and reliable function from water treatment equipment.While distillation apparatuses used to dominate, today a combination of flow purification techniques is usually used to prepare purified water for laboratories, the specific list of which depends primarily on the required final water purity. These include filtration, adsorption, removal of dissolved substances by reverse osmosis, deionization (using ion exchangers or electrochemically), photooxidation, sterilization by UV radiation and, last but not least, ultrafiltration.<h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/kategorie-produktu/water-purification/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">Overview of Watrex water systems</a></h4>In addition, modern devices often allow continuous monitoring of water quality in real time, which significantly increases control over the process. However, a number of complications can still occur - and that is why RNDr. Roman Kysilka from <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">Watrex Praha</a> provides an overview of the basic principles of proper operation and advice on how to recognize and solve the most common problems (Troubleshooting).<h4>How to operate a water treatment plant in a laboratory without problems</h4>There are certain common principles that apply to the use of all equipment for the preparation of purified water. The most important ones are summarized in the following points:<ol><li>Recommendations before purchasing equipment - choose a model with a slight power reserve that produces water of the quality you need. The purer the water, the higher the operating costs. Use water purified by special procedures only where necessary.</li><li>Develop a maintenance plan for your equipment and its documentation. Designate a person responsible for the operation of the equipment. For low-use and basic equipment (e.g. reverse osmosis systems), annual periodic maintenance is sufficient, while for critical applications, daily water quality checks may be necessary. Establish an operating logbook, or at least record the checks and maintenance on a label placed on the equipment.</li><li>All models of devices for preparing purified water from tap water contain filters that remove suspended solids. Depending on the degree of contamination of the water from the water supply and the volume of treated water, the replacement period varies considerably. The replacement period for a specific installation is usually recommended by the supplier, but it is advisable to perform a simple visual inspection. A contaminated filter is easy to identify.</li><li>If a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane is used in the device, attention should be paid to its proper functioning. The service life of the RO membrane is several years with proper maintenance of the protective filters. If the device is not equipped with a reverse osmosis process efficiency measurement, it is advisable to check the performance, efficiency and yield of this purification stage at least once a year.</li><li>To achieve a low content of dissociated compounds (ions), filters filled with an equimolar mixture of cation and anion are most often used. More modern devices alternatively use electrodeionization. If the device includes a deionization stage, it should always be equipped with a conductivity measurement of the produced water, or at least an indication of exceeding the limit value of specific conductivity. In daily use, it is advisable to check the conductivity at least once a day, in other cases at each first sampling.</li><li>Most devices for the preparation of purified water are not sterile and are populated to varying degrees by microorganisms, which is usually accompanied by a higher value of organically bound carbon (TOC) in the water. This may not be a problem for basic laboratory applications, but if we require water that is sufficiently pure for HPLC, work with tissue cultures, molecular genetic experiments, and the like, the device must include technology to minimize the impact of organisms. This includes the inclusion of UV radiation sterilization sources, the application of ozone generated by UV emitters at 184 nm, microfiltration and ultrafiltration. For proper function, it is important to adhere to the component replacement interval recommended by the device manufacturer (either in terms of time or according to the volume of treated water) for all these techniques. Otherwise, a malfunctioning purification stage is often discovered only on the basis of false experiment results.</li><li>All types of equipment should be periodically (once a year, once every two years - depending on the intensity of use and the potential risk of endangering the experiments) verified whether they meet the parameters expected of them. For systems with their own measurement, it is necessary to check whether the measurement results of the built-in sensors provide valid values.</li></ol><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Watrex_8_obr_2_88c7487928.jpeg" alt="Watrex: Fig. 2: Illustrative image of possible consumables used in some water systems." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Watrex_8_obr_2_88c7487928.jpeg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1068"><h4>Troubleshooting</h4>Even with careful maintenance and following operating recommendations, there may be times when your water treatment equipment does not function as expected or shows signs of a problem. Below are tips for identifying and resolving some common problems. Before you begin any work on your equipment, make sure you understand its function and, if necessary, consult the manual provided by the manufacturer (perhaps as a first step).<h5>1. Basic Check</h5>Before you start looking for more complex causes, perform the following basic checks:<ul><li>Power and Water Supply: Check that the equipment is properly connected to the electrical network and that it is actually receiving electricity. Verify that the main water inlet valve is open and that the inlet water pressure meets the requirements of the equipment.</li><li>Visual Check: Inspect the equipment for visible water leaks, loose or damaged hoses and connections. Check that filter covers or other parts are not visibly damaged.</li><li>Indicators on the device: Pay attention to any status lights, displays, or alarms. Many devices indicate specific problems (e.g., filter replacement required, low pressure, poor water quality) using codes or symbols. Refer to the manual for the meaning of these indications.</li><li>Logbook/Maintenance Records: Refer to the logbook or maintenance label. When was the last maintenance performed? Have any components been changed recently? This information may help identify the cause of the problem.</li></ul><h5>2. Specific Problems and Possible Solutions</h5><ul><li>Low or no flow of purified water:<ul><li>Possible cause: Clogged pre-filter (mechanical filter). Low inlet water pressure. Closed valve in the system. Pump problem (if included in the system). Heavily clogged or damaged RO membrane. Clogged final (sterile) filter.</li><li>Possible solution: Check and replace pre-filter (visual inspection as mentioned above). Verify inlet water pressure. Go through all valves and make sure they are in the correct position. Verify pump function according to manual. Check RO membrane performance (if possible, see previous text) – may require replacement. Replace final filter.</li></ul></li><li>Insufficient water quality (High conductivity):<ul><li>Possible cause: Deionization cartridge (ion exchanger) capacity exhausted. Reduced RO membrane efficiency (insufficient ion removal). Problem with electrodeionization (EDI) module. Conductivity measuring sensor failure or error.</li><li>Possible solution: Check conductivity value on display or indicator (as mentioned in previous text). If value is out of limit, replace deionization cartridge(s). Verify RO stage efficiency (by measuring conductivity before and after RO membrane, if system allows). Verify EDI module function according to manual (may require service). Consider checking/calibrating measuring sensor (usually performed by service technician).</li></ul></li><li>Increased TOC (Total Organic Carbon) or suspected microbial contamination:<ul><li>Possible cause: Inoperative or old UV lamp (184 nm for TOC oxidation, 254 nm for sterilization). Exhausted or damaged final filter (ultrafilter, microfilter). Biofilm formation in the system, piping or tank (if used). High levels of organics or microorganisms in the inlet water.</li><li>Possible solution: Check the operating hours or installation date of the UV lamp and replace it if it has exceeded the recommended life (according to the maintenance schedule). Replace the final filter. Sanitize the system according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (may include chemical cleaning or hot water flushing). Consider installing additional inlet water pretreatment if it is consistently poor.</li></ul></li><li>Water leaks from the system:<ul><li>Possible cause: Loose fittings or hose connections. Damaged seal (e.g. at the filter housing). Cracked filter housing or other component (e.g. due to frost or mechanical damage). Too high water pressure in the system.</li><li>Possible solution: Immediately shut off the water supply and disconnect the appliance from the electricity supply. Carefully locate the leak. Carefully tighten the relevant fitting or connection (do not overtighten, as this may damage the thread). If the seal or component is damaged, it must be replaced with an original spare part. Check the inlet water pressure and the function of the pressure reducing valve (if installed).</li></ul></li><li>The appliance reports an alarm or warning:<ul><li>Possible cause: The system has detected a specific operating deviation or the need for maintenance.</li><li>Possible solution: Always follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual for the specific alarm code or symbol. This may indicate the need to replace consumables (filter, cartridge, UV lamp), low/high pressure warning, poor water quality, internal error or the need to perform sanitation. If the steps in the manual do not resolve the problem, contact the service.</li></ul></li></ul><h5>3. When to Contact Service Support</h5>Although many common problems can be solved by yourself based on this manual and the device manual, in some cases it is necessary to contact an authorized service center or supplier:<ul><li>If the basic troubleshooting steps have failed.</li><li>If the problem recurs even after performing the recommended steps.</li><li>If any major water leakage that cannot be easily stopped and repaired.</li><li>If the device reports serious error codes that are not described in the user manual.</li><li>If it is necessary to replace key components such as the RO membrane, EDI module, pump, or main control unit.</li><li>For regular validation and calibration of measuring sensors (conductivity, resistance, TOC), as mentioned in the previous text.</li><li>If you are unsure of the cause of the problem or the correct repair procedure. Incompetent intervention may lead to further damage to the device or affect the quality of the produced water.</li></ul><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Watrex_8_obr_3_12c3ef5b46.jpeg" alt="Watrex: Fig.3: Watrex Praha offers comprehensive support – from the supply of water systems and consumables to professional service." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Watrex_8_obr_3_12c3ef5b46.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="1067">Remember: The best way to prevent most problems is to strictly adhere to the maintenance plan, timely replacement of consumables (filters, cartridges, UV lamps) and regular monitoring of the quality of the produced water, as described in the previous recommendations. Keeping a careful operating logbook can significantly facilitate diagnostics in the event of any problems.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.watrex.com/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">Watrex Praha </a>offers you comprehensive support in this regard – from the supply of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/kategorie-produktu/water-purification/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">water systems and consumable</a>s to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://watrex.com/services/services/?utm_source=labrulez&amp;utm_medium=propagace&amp;utm_campaign=labrulez_clanky">professional service</a>. We will be happy to help you choose the most suitable solution and will also ensure the care of your existing equipment. Leave the worries about water to us – you can focus on your work.

How to clean laboratory water: Practical tips and solutions to the most common problems

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The Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) was established by Act No. 283/1992 Coll. as the Czech successor of the former Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. It is set up as a complex of 54 public research institutions.

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RECETOX (Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment) is an independent department of the Faculty of Science of Masaryk University in Brno, which has been established in 1983. RECETOX is focused on the research and education in cross-cutting area of Environment and Health. It addresses interactions among chemicals, environment, and biological systems, including consequences at local, regional, and global levels.

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