Global Utility Collaborative Projects: PFAS & COVID-19

Prior to the pandemic, many service providers were prioritizing planning and response to PFAS. However, utilities have had to reprioritize and mobilize resources in response to COVID-19. As we continue to learn that both topics remain of high importance, Isle Utilities, in partnership with leading water utilities around the world, is facilitating collaborative projects between end users to increase peer exchange of best practice and learning of vetted emerging solutions to these topics.

About

Prior to the pandemic, many service providers were prioritizing their planning and response to PFAS, a global emerging issue. However, over the past two months, water and wastewater utilities have had to reprioritize and mobilize resources in response to COVID-19. As we continue to learn that both topics remain of high importance, Isle Utilities, in partnership with leading water utilities around the world, is facilitating collaborative projects between end users to increase peer exchange of best practice and learning of vetted emerging solutions to these topics.

To better position themselves to manage these challenges, utilities are looking for support:

  • COVID-19: Verified and current information about technologies to help address the COVID-19 challenges which include: (1) detection and testing, (2) removal and deactivation, (3) remote monitoring and control, and (4) contingency options.
  • PFAS: A current and objective PFAS literature review to (1) keep pace with global trends, (2) share research activities and plans between utility peers, and (3) discover market-ready and next-to-market solutions.

As the COVID-19 pandemic began changing life, the economies-of-scale through these partnership projects are critically important in maximizing value for operations and planning that is responsible with ratepayer dollars. We hope you consider joining this partnership effort alongside Orange County Water District, Great Lakes Water Authority, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, San Jose Water Company, Pinellas County, and over 20 more global organizations.

Why Join?

  • These utility-centric projects are designed to advance the understanding and planning capabilities in both subject areas without requiring a resource-heavy shift from the other immediate priorities of these critical service providers. Regardless of individual circumstances, utilities will benefit from the peer exchange and summary of vetted solutions.
  • Isle acts as an independent third party to support utilities in the identification, evaluation, and selection of the best-suited technology based on end user-driven criteria. Isle’s objectivity gives utilities the peace of mind and maximum transparency.

PFAS Global Utility Collaborative

Launching this summer, participants will collaborate with water utility peers to identify the current status of PFAS and identification of trends, research, monitoring, and treatment solutions. Additionally, this project will consolidate what different utilities are doing to share in experience and best practice.

This will provide utilities with a grounded understanding of PFAS to optimize engagement with the public, special interest groups, technology providers, engineering firms, and to develop their PFAS management plans.

The project will be delivered in the following 3 Phases:

  • Global Regulatory and Current State Review
  • Global PFAS Research and Trends Summary
  • Global Technology Scan

Isle’s team of global consultants will conduct utility interviews, desktop research, and investigate technical solutions and best practices.

The PFAS project will have 4 outputs:

  • Global water utility participant introductions
  • Delivery and presentation to review state of regulation, best practice, and trends
  • Technical summary on market-ready and emerging technologies followed by a webinar with participants
  • Consolidated Excel matrix followed by Isle-facilitated webinar to present data and answer participant questions

COVID-19 Global Technology Scan

Isle has intiated a global market horizon scan to identify, qualify, and present solutions across four identified categories: (1) detection and testing, (2) removal and deactivation, (3) remoting monitoring and control, and (4) contingency options.

This will allow utilities to understand technology options and enhance their resiliency with an improved business continuity to address future emergencies. Utilities will also have access to a curated reference database online to easily identify applicable vendors.

The project will be delivered in the following 3 Phases:

  • Kick-off Meeting Call
  • Global Technology Scan
  • Technology Scan Segmentation

Isle’s team of global consultants will scout the market for established and emerging solutions. Isle will liaise with solution providers to understand their technology and capture specifications and case studies for verification.

The COVID-19 technology scan will have 3 outputs:

  • Key findings from the research will be presented in a concise PowerPoint presentation which will be presented during the final project webinar
  • An online interface to organize the qualified technologies with applied filters for ease of search
  • A webinar demonstration of the online interface once built

Get Involved

Interested parties may contact Cristina Ahmadpour, President of Isle’s Americas business, for more information: cristina.ahmadpour@isleutilities.com.

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