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          • How to activate infrastructure stimulus through accelerated assessment
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          • GHD Advisory Delivers Landmark Rehabilitation Plan for Port Terminal
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          • A Flexible Approach to Using eDNA
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          • Fostering resilient workplace productivity
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        • Changing the world in Toronto
        • David Kinniburgh named Regional General Manager - UAE
        • Designing a net-zero energy plan with the Australian Academy of Science
        • GHD Advisory supports BP Australia’s sustainable hydrogen feasibility study
        • GHD appointed to design new Navy facilities in Western Australia
        • GHD joins Australian Hydrogen Council
        • GHD Provides Social Distancing Solution to NHS Children’s Hospital
        • GHD to implement Digital Train Control for Cross River Rail
        • GHD is leading the way in Waste Management across Australia
        • GHD is taking the lead in the competition for future talent
        • Growing our natural resources expertise with addition of Niblett Environmental Associates team
        • Landmark UAE park named Education Project of the Year
        • Preparing Australian electricity systems for large-scale hydrogen production
        • Poll shows employees are uncomfortable returning to work without social distancing measures
        • Reinventing engineering for a rapidly changing world
        • Qatar field hospital designed from scratch in less than two weeks
        • Our industrial hygiene team keeps employees safe as they return to work
        • Transforming transport in regional South Australia
        • A balancing act: Getting to grips with biodiversity offsetting and mitigation banking
        • A message from Water for Women on International Women’s Day
        • AquaLAB Connect helps shape the digital future of water
        • Auckland’s Lightpath cycleway takes the lead with prestigious award
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        • Advising on one of Australia’s largest infrastructure transactions
        • Celebrating Australia’s top projects
        • Arizona water reclamation facility helps conserve groundwater
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        • Strength in North America highlights our ability to serve clients and communities in uncertain times
        • GHD Advisory named Australasia’s #1 technical advisor for transactions
        • GHD’s new NZ leader focuses on high performance
        • Demonstrating our market leadership in Canada
        • GHD appoints Sheila Mistry as People Leader for UK
        • GHD Advisory strengthens UAE team
        • Developing a first-of-its-kind mangrove park for UAE
        • Global merger delivers integrated data-led consulting
        • New operations lead will help drive growth in the northeast United States
        • GHD helps Middle East clients address energy challenges
        • GHD’s Global Digital Leader moves to North America
        • GHD helps students to embrace Indo-Pacific opportunities
        • Collaboration to provide innovative new wireless stormwater monitoring solution
        • GHD welcomes National Strategy to support a thriving hydrogen industry
        • New beginnings: How Nivine re-started her career in Australia
        • GHD Digital’s Jacyl Shaw named ‘Microsoft Executive Leader of the Year’
        • GHD reinforces strategic focus in North America
        • New operations lead will help drive growth in the northeast United States
        • GHD partners with Galliford Try on Yorkshire Water Civils Framework
        • GHD celebrates 10 years in Papua New Guinea
        • Creating a single source of truth for digital data
        • Top honors for water engineer
        • Welcome Jim Giannopoulos as our new Executive General Manager, Canada
        • Engineering a new future for Melbourne’s iconic 1920s Capitol Theatre
        • GHD at the centre of Australia's hydrogen industry development
        • GHD at WEFTEC 2019
        • Rising to meet the challenges of an evolving environmental market
        • GHD rises higher in global design rankings
        • GHD transforms Queensland’s Daydream Island resort
        • Saskya Hunter named as one of Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers 2019
        • How hybrid energy will unlock the potential of Northern Australia
        • More than 100 GHD global technical leaders connect with government and business leaders in Cairns
        • GHD helps young professionals navigate their careers in the digital age
        • GHD and Australia’s gas import industry set milestone
        • GHD Advisory appoints leader for UAE
        • GHD provides remediation services to Clydebridge Chemicals
        • Showcasing Pacific development projects and partnerships
        • GHD and FCG combine to enhance client services in Northern Australia
        • GHD helps Sydney Metro Northwest project arrive on time
        • GHD internship cements passion for development work
        • GHD wins NCE100 Impact in Energy award
        • GHD ranks among top design companies in North America
        • Industry leader, Kurt Beil, joins GHD as Market Leader, Environment
        • GHD a winner in the 2019 RoSPA Awards
        • GHD Young Professional recognised by Institution of Chemical Engineers
        • GHD appoints new Operations Manager, Qatar
        • GHD Digital launches AquaLAB to transform how the water industry operates in the digital age
        • Demonstrating the value of inclusion and making it happen
        • The future of the UK water sector - interview with Stewart Tennant
        • From Iraq to Australia – Marvin’s career journey
        • GHD acheives prestigious safety certification in Ontario
        • GHD announces the appointment of new Regional Principal to lead the northeast United States
        • New GHD Advisory leader sets pathway for future growth
        • GHD doubles down on growth
        • GHD technical award recognizes groundbreaking project
        • Harnessing hydropower potential in the Philippines
        • Grantley Hall – Blending the old with the new
        • GHD strengthens its rail capability
        • GHD helps to improve connectivity and boost sustainable travel
        • GHD honored by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce for employee engagement
        • Infrastructure event connects with European clients
        • GHD recruits transmission expert to inspire innovation in energy sector
        • GHD app design wins at inaugural NSW Roads and Maritime Services Innovation Network Initiative
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          • GHD Digital’s expansion into North America focuses on Digital Disruption and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
        • GHD Digital’s expansion into North America focuses on Digital Disruption and the Fourth Industrial Revolution
        • GHD wins Asia Pacific award for pesticide container management project in the Pacific
        • GHD expands its air and noise modelling capability
        • Looking back on the 2018 GHD Challenge
        • GHD appoints Simon Light as new General Manager for Europe and Middle East
        • Looking back on the 2018 GHD Challenge
        • GHD appoints Simon Light as new General Manager for Europe and Middle East
        • Special moments for GHD’s Spatial team
        • GHD wins place on YORConsult2 framework
        • GHD sponsors global interns as part of Australia’s New Colombo Plan
        • GHD recognized as one of Waterloo Area’s Top Employers for 2019
        • GHD receives industry accreditation for its commitment to developing young engineers
        • Advising on one of Australia’s largest infrastructure transactions
        • GHD announces new Transportation Market Leader for Australia
        • GHD appoints new Indigenous Services Leader
        • Our year in review
        • How to thrive on your career journey
        • GHD celebrates opening of Lake Jackson, Texas office
        • What happens when majestic wind turbines come to town
        • GHD sets benchmark for environmental assessments in the Philippines
        • GHD recognised as a carer-friendly employer
        • GHD engineers new neuroscience department at Monash University
        • GHD extends its global tunnelling experience
        • Wednesday is “Poppy Day”
        • GHD helps improve management of pesticide containers in the Pacific
        • GHD Digital and Orange Business Services deliver instant intelligent insights to Australasian enterprises
        • GHD helps return Blacktown Native Institution to Indigenous custodians
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          • Reducing Air Pollution - Guiding clients through the complexities of the Medium Combustion Plant Directive
        • GHD grows UAE team to help take client projects from masterplanning to reality
        • GHD to deliver Australian Sports Partnership Program to build healthy, inclusive communities through sport.
        • GHD and Olsson Fire & Risk join forces in New Zealand and Australia
        • GHD wins Bronze at International Water Association Project Innovation Awards
        • GHD appoints new Market Leader – Water in Australia
        • GHD achieves Silver Corporate Partnership status with Institution of Chemical Engineers
        • GHD partners with Jacobs for longest section of Australia’s Inland Rail program
        • Omni-Means officially adopts GHD name and brand following merger completion
        • GHD expands Intelligent Transport Systems capabilities
        • Part-time geologist, full-time dad
        • GHD Digital and Mindtree create platform-based services to cater for digital transformation
        • GHD wins Engineers Australia award for Brisbane Airport runway resurfacing
        • GHD grows in the global environmental market
        • Massive roof replacement project recognised for engineering excellence
        • GHD is responding to the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ and client demand
        • Championing diversity in the workplace
        • Global leader helps GHD transform client service
        • Global survey charts GHD’s growth trajectory
        • GHD appoints new Technical Director in UK
        • Five ways to celebrate Indigenous peoples and culture
        • Water for Women announces the first round of research award recipients
        • Tasmanian renewable energy leaders share vision for collaborative future
        • GHD’s suite of services helps a new mine to proceed
        • GHD Advisory’s Infrastructure Investment and Economics (IIE) services go global
        • GHD and Water for Women Fund celebrate World Environment Day
        • GHD provides continuity of service to Wannon Water
        • Water for Women Fund celebrates Menstrual Hygiene Day
        • GHD is bringing Paris to Doha
        • GHD wins NCE100 Excellence in Water award
        • New approach to defend infrastructure from cyberattacks
        • GHD boosts operational performance in UK transport sector
        • Proud to be LGBTI, proud to be GHD
        • Ten tips for returning to work after parental leave
        • Prestigious appointment for GHD’s chief counsel in the United States
        • GHD announces new Operations Director in Manchester, UK
        • GHD a winner in the 2018 RoSPA Awards
        • GHD helps improve transport infrastructure in Papua New Guinea
        • Trailblazer to lead GHD’s Canberra and Southern NSW business
        • GHD in New Zealand diversifies its business with the launch of GHD Digital.
        • Five technologies that will drive your freight forward faster
        • GHD expands in the UAE with new Dubai office
        • GHD stars shine at Engineering Excellence Awards
        • LNAPL clean-up guidance released
        • GHD recognised as top engineering company
        • Four inspiring pieces of advice from Jamila Rizvi
        • Groundwater discharges may become subject to the Clean Water Act
        • Engineering innovation secures civil engineering excellence award
        • GHD and the Regional Municipality of York receive OPWA award for technical innovation
        • PFAS New fact sheets provide guidance on emerging contaminants
        • When a talented photographer becomes a bridge inspector
        • World Health Day
        • Confirming our commitment to Waterloo Region
        • Global insight for Australia’s electricity networks:
        • GHD in New Zealand boosts its business to support growth
        • GHD grows security offering in Sydney
        • GHD recognised for supporting Defence reservists
        • Global industry leader in power substation design joins GHD
        • GHD to deliver concept design for raising Warragamba Dam in Sydney
        • GHD Advisory expands to North America to support asset owners
        • Top five ingredients for Badgerys Creek Aerotropolis to rise
        • A message from Water for Women on International Women’s Day
        • Six ways to position yourself for success
        • What SaaS tells you about MaaS
        • New Colombo intern discovers a new side to engineering at GHD
        • GHD expands to Guildford, UK
        • Client service helps realise world-leading energy projects
        • Shaping the Western Sydney Aerotropolis
        • Young design pioneer recognised at BIM Awards
        • Client award highlights GHD’s safety focus
        • GHD announces new Manager for Sydney
        • GHD is recognised as employer of choice for gender equality for fourth year in a row
        • GHD strengthens digital leadership
        • GHD appoints new Legal Counsel, Europe and Middle East
        • Smart Seeds grows fresh ideas for future infrastructure
        • GHD enhances services for Chinese investors
        • GHD partners with Sydney Water for drought relief
        • GHD says “Bula” to New Colombo intern in Fiji
        • Pushing the boundaries of BIM
        • GHD is part of the growth trend in the trenchless market
        • GHD boosts capabilities to support social sustainability
        • GHD strengthens hydropower capability
        • Water for Women Fund Commences - Request for Proposals for WASH Research Awards
        • GHD helps deliver Water for Women Fund
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          • Tech Sprint generates game changing solution to construction productivity problem
        • GHD strengthens Board diversity
        • GHD outlines the future of project management
        • GHD contributes to UK’s Northern Energy Task Force
        • Continuing to invest in future leadership
        • I-TAP NQ turns to fresh ideas for North Queensland’s infrastructure challenges
        • Force main replacement work wins ACEC award in Arizona
        • GHD announces Market Development Director for Europe and Middle East
        • GHD announces record performance
        • Insights from the Infrastructure Investors Forum Australia
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          • GHD’s laptop donation supports women’s health services in Wagga Wagga
        • GHD expands to Tauranga
        • Infrastructure and logistics expert joins GHD Advisory
        • Ecological restoration earns landscape architecture award
        • GHD recognised as a leader in the global environmental market
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          • GHD tops technical advisor league table
        • GHD recognised globally as a design leader
        • New facility preserves Australian history for the future
        • GHD expands contaminated land capabilities in Queensland
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          • Energy storage project opens new horizons for remote microgrid
        • GHD highlights smart solutions for the mining sector
        • GHD storms to the top at RICS Yorkshire and Humber Awards
        • Global role highlights how sport changes lives
        • GHD expands contaminated land capabilities in Queensland
        • Energy storage project opens new horizons for remote microgrid
        • GHD highlights smart solutions for the mining sector
        • GHD storms to the top at RICS Yorkshire and Humber Awards
        • Global role highlights how sport changes lives
        • GHD leadership appointments capitalise on New Zealand infrastructure trends
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          • GHD helps revitalise open channel with new parkland
        • Wastewater rehabilitation work wins project of the year in Arizona
        • GHD announces new Chairman and executive directors
        • GHD ranks among top designers in North America
        • GHD announces new UK leader
        • GHDWoodhead and Creative Spaces launch new brand in New Zealand
        • GHD enhances energy security in the Kimberley
        • GHD continues streak of outstanding waste management achievements
        • From dump to park: GHD helps turn environmental issue into Saipan’s new landmark
        • GHD expands asset management team in Auckland
        • GHD improves road safety on Pokeno to Mangatarata corridor in New Zealand
        • Digital transformation and growth expert joins GHD Advisory
        • Beaton Client Choice Awards
        • GHD earns recognition for innovative projects in York Region, Ontario
        • GHD and Omni-Means merge to expand transportation services
        • GHD helps realise landmark footbridge in time for Australian Open
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          • GHD Challenge brings together construction industry to support charities
        • GHD announces its largest office in North America
        • GHD celebrates 50 years of contributions to Canberra and beyond
        • Push to change flexibility culture for both men and women earns GHD gender equality recognition
        • GHD demonstrates inspirational consulting leadership
        • GHD celebrates outstanding public works achievements
        • GHD Advisory supports asset owners in a transforming world
        • GHD wins global award for Guam landfill closure
        • Engaging stakeholders for irrigation success in Australia’s food bowl
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          • GHD celebrates outstanding achievements in South Australia
        • GHD channels multidisciplinary skills for landmark irrigation upgrade
        • GHD switches on the tap for new water technologies
        • GHD recognized globally for Guam landfill closure
        • GHD delivers transformational engineering projects for WA
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          • GHD’s Power team boosts capacity in Newcastle
        • GHD helps realise outstanding project management achievements
        • GHD shines at New Zealand consulting engineering awards
        • GHD unites UK operations under single brand
        • GHD engineers named Australia’s innovation leaders
        • GHD continues global growth trajectory
        • GHD adds momentum to Sydney transport team
        • GHD and SMEC joint venture appointed as Independent Verifier for Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2
        • GHD sustains performance in global environmental market
        • GHD helps realise a new health research hub for UAE
        • Auckland’s Lightpath cycleway takes the lead with prestigious award
        • GHD announces new leaders in Australia
        • Disrupting Auckland – new urban ideas take centre stage at Smart Seeds Showcase
        • GHD hits refresh on governance structure
        • GHD’s rail business gathers momentum with new appointment
        • GHD recognises client service at its best
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          • Auckland’s Lightpath shines at NZ planning awards
        • Creating a new gateway to Western Australia
        • GHD recognized among top design companies in USA and Canada
        • Leadership transition builds on GHD’s model of success
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          • GHD leaders pledge for parity for International Women’s Day
        • High five for GHD’s waste management team
        • GHD supports Arriva’s success as it retains London Overground concession
        • GHD names new Europe and Middle East leader
        • GHD’s water leader acknowledged for global contributions
        • GHD supports Arriva's success as it begins the Northern Powerhouse transformation
        • GHD Woodhead steps up in global rankings
        • GHD’s Defence business grows in Australia
        • Extended water partnership builds on a record of success
        • GHD acknowledged by Consult Australia for industry leadership
        • GHD strengthens focus on Defence project delivery
        • GHD recognised for digital leadership
        • Working together to help mitigate climate change in Ontario
        • GHD strides forward with gender equality
        • GHD engineer achieves unique certification in Guam
        • Toowoomba infrastructure project wins big
        • GHD people help reimagine Western Sydney
        • GHD helps realise artistic visions in Christchurch
        • GHD's young professionals support kids in care
        • GHD appoints transportation leader in North Queensland
        • CRA Europe adopts GHD name
        • GHD celebrates 10 years in Nowra
        • Engineers Australia commends GHD’s gender diversity focus
        • GHD steps up in global rankings
        • GHD boosts New Zealand business with high-profile appointments
        • GHD appoints Defence Leader
        • GHD’s CEO among engineering leaders
        • GHD and CRA complete integration
        • GHD improves human and environmental wellbeing
        • GHD and GHA Livigunn grow together in the UK
        • GHD helps deliver first shared street in South Australia
        • Sydney ideas bloom at Smart Seeds
        • GHD ranks highly in North America
        • Video showcases bridge replacement work
        • GHD presents water innovations in Adelaide
        • GHD enhances services for health and aged care clients
        • Graduates join consulting ranks at GHD
        • GHD celebrates 10 years in Toowoomba
        • GHD helps achieve tunnelling milestones at Grosvenor Mine
        • GHD helps realize award-winning Levi’s Stadium in California
        • Infrastructure innovation blooms with Smart Seeds
        • CRA celebrates 10 years as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies
        • GHD leads the waste sector four years in a row
        • Environmental accolade for GHD-CRA merger
        • Strategic appointment expands GHD’s Federal business
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          • GHD ranks highly for defence services
        • GHD enhances market presence in property and buildings sector
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Guiding industry on PFAS management

 

 

HomeEnvironmentContamination Assessment and RemediationGuiding industry on PFAS management

GHD has been leading the response to PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalky Substances) as an emerging contaminant for over 10 years.  Often found in many industrial processes and legacy firefighting foams, PFAS is widespread and can be difficult to remediate. Leveraging our global footprint to understand and pre-empt the risks, we help impacted industries adapt to mitigate exposure and future liability.

The pathway can be complex.  Find out how we can help you every step of the way. 

 Do I have a PFAS issue?

What is PFAS?
Noise intrusion assessment  

PFAS is an abbreviation for per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances.  These are manufactured chemicals that have been used for more than 50 years to make products non-stick, water-repellent and fire, weather and stain resistant.  PFAS have been used in a range of consumer and industrial products such as firefighting foams, carpets, clothes, paper, stain repellents and pesticide.  PFAS fall into the category of chemicals that are persistent, bioaccumulative  and toxic, and hence require stringent regulation and control. For more information about PFAS and its impact contact, Lee Gedge

Current regulation and guidelines
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There has been an increasing number of regulations and guidelines that pose criteria for acceptable levels in soils, groundwater, water and foodstuffs, and provide guidance on how practically PFAS can be managed in different parts of the world.  In Australia the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (PFAS NEMP) is the key guideline, enabling a consistent, practical, risk-based framework. Contributing to and implementing guidlines is a key focus of GHD's work to what is often a complex and broad ranging problem. To help you target where effort can be best directed please contact, Peter Nadebaum.

Industries who may find PFAS on their site
Section-1-question-3  

PFAS chemical were most often used in quantity in firefighting foam products (including in fire extinguisher cylinders and as bulk additives to commercial industrial firefighting systems), in outdoor clothing, carpet and furniture manufacture and sales (where it was sold under the name "scotchguard"). PFAS compunds were also frequently used in the metal finishing industry. Waste and wastewater handling and management facilities finally receive all of these materials as waste and could be affected. For more information on where PFAS may impact your site contact, Lee Gedge.

PFAS release and facility risk

How do I  know if I have had a  PFAS release?
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PFAS was commonly used in fire fighting products in Australia up until the late-2000s when alternative products were adopted. However, PFAS can still be present in products due to lack of decontamination of infrastructure, contaminated product sources and some products claiming to be fluorine-free but still containing measureable levels of PFAS.  It is therefore critical to understand your inventory and where potential releases may or may have occured. For more information on how your organisation can understand how to assess the presence/absence of PFAS, contact Mark Clough.

Assessing the risk  of PFAS release during future maintenance activities
Section-2-question-2  

The majority of historical PFAS releases have occurred during the preventative maintenance and periodic testing activities required by Codes. You should be looking now to adjust your procedures, systems and  decontaminate your hardware as required to eliminate potential releases. For more information on how to minimsie potential PFAS releases, contact Mark Cahill.

Understanding the risk posed
Section-2-question-2  

Understanding the risks posed to local receptors from a release of PFAS to the environment requires a detailed understanding of the properties of PFAS, the local environment, geology, hydrogeology and hydrology, and the sensitivity of nearby receptors.  Not all sites are the same and site-specific conceptual site models are critical in understanding risk.   For more information on how your organisation can understand the risks from PFAS releases, contact Mark Clough

Pollution prevention, including property and infrastructure

Can PFAS contamination come from other sources?
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With the focus often on PFAS contamination in soil and groundwater, the potential environmental liabilities from PFAS in above ground infrastructure may be overlooked. For many industrial facilities with foam systems or exposure to  Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), of greater immediate concern may be the PFAS leaching from contaminated infrastructure (such as concrete pads, pipework and foam delivery systems) and migrating off-site. Understanding this risk through sampling surface water runoff and infrastructure is critical to any PFAS liability reduction strategy. To learn more about quantifying your PFAS emissions to the environment from contaminated infrastructure, contact Lee Gedge

Preventing contamination from infrastructure
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Preventing PFAS discharge to the environment can be challenging. Even after PFAS use has been discontinued legacy contamination can leach from porous surfaces such as concrete or be released from systems that have not been fully decontaminated. The chemical properties of PFAS and its behaviour on different substrates means that various removal and containment approaches are often required for different materials. Undertaking bench-trials and specifying the right encapsulation coating or decontamination procedure at the outset is critical, as is designing and implementing a targeted baseline and 'post-construction' validation sampling program to measure success. To learn more about reducing your PFAS emissions to the environment from contaminated infrastructure, contact Lee Gedge

Decontamination after PFAS replacement
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Replacing firefighting foams is not as simple as swapping one for another. The systems that held the old foams must be thoroughly decontaminated before introducing new non PFAS foams. The degree to which a system needs to be decontaminated is driven by a number of factors including specialist industry guidance, State regulation and guidance, community expectation, and physical practicality. For more information on how to remove PFAS from your systems and infrastructure contact Lee Gedge

What do I do with old foam?
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Replacing firefighting foams will inevitably result in creation of stocks of old foams.  In order that these not be inadvertently re-used or re-incorporated into non PFAS foam stocks it is recommended that these waste foams be removed from site. Destruction of PFAS is typically by co-disposal in high-temperature furnaces or by specialist electric arc destruction. For more information on how to rid your organisation of PFAS contact Lee Gedge

Firefighting infrastructure assessment and decontamination

Will my existing system work with a new non-PFAS firefighting foam?
Section-1-question-3  

Most existing foam systems have been designed for AFFF foam concentrate. The new fluorine free foams are significantly different and likely require cleaning out of the old system and decontamination of ther pipework, tanks and associated infrastructure. Consideration should be given to the hardware and its suitability to achieve the required proportioning ratio for a replacement fluid with different characteristics. As the new foams apply a 'mechanical blanket' (as opposed to the old film forming concentrates that were much more forgiving of application method) the application method for the new foam will need to be considered as will the  quantity of concentrate required, the application rate and time of application. For more information please contact Mark Cahill

What are the practical PFAS decontamination options for fixed firefighting systems?
Section-4-question-2  

Decontamination needs to be thoughtfully planned and carefully executed to ensure an outcome that meets decontamination targets. Good outcomes can be achieved by a skilled decontamination team led by an experienced environmental engineer.  Key considerations include the sequence in which the work is undertaken and management of waste but these things are manageable.  For more information on how to decontaminate your systems contact Lee Gedge

What cannot be successfully decontaminated?
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Certain older firefighting systems showing evidence of significant corrosion, or systems with aluminium componentry where surface etching is visible, can provide crevices and voids where PFAS chemicals can remain and resist removal.  In some cases these systems can be cleaned using specialist techniques, but equally, experience has shown that severely affected systems cannot be successfully decontaminated, meaning that some parts , or the whole system, may need to be replaced.   For more information on how to rid your organisation of PFAS contact Lee Gedge

Why is simply swapping foam product not enough?
Section-4-question-4  

Raw firefighting foams are viscous as such they adhere strongly to the inside walls of tanks and pipes, joints and gaskets.  Older foams also solidify in any gaps and voids in tanks and pipe systems.  Simply draining the old foams and replacing with new 'Fluorine-Free' foam does not clear the PFAS foam products in the inside of these types of infrastructure. Careful consideration to decontamination of your infrastructure will reduce the generation of significant volumes of waste water that requires management.  For more information on how remove legacy foam product from your systems contact Lee Gedge

How do I minimise PFAS release resulting from firefighting and training?
Section-4-question-5  

Firefighting systems must work when called upon. That means they must be tested periodically.  Fire-fighting systems can be tested safely and securely and foams created can be managed, collected and safely disposed of.  For more information on how avoid legacy foam products from impacting your site during testing and training contact Lee Gedge

Property and buildings contamination mitigation

How can I decontaminate my buildings?
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Controlling PFAS discharge to the environment from contaminated buildings and structures can be challenging. The behaviour of PFAS on different building materials means that various removal and containment approaches need to be considered. Specifying the right encapsulation coating or decontamination procedure at the outset is critical. A targeted baseline and 'post-construction' validation sampling program should be implemented to measure success.  To learn more about decontaminating buildings and structures, contact Lee Gedge

How can I decontaminate / encapsulate my concrete infrastructure?
Section-5-question-2  

Concrete is a sponge for PFAS. Studies have shown that even low concentrations of PFAS can be absorbed into concrete and leach to stormwater for decades. Any PFAS site remediation or contamination management plan must also address contaminated concrete for it to be effective.  There are a range of mitigation measures ranging from encapsulation through to complete removal. To learn more about reducing your PFAS emissions to the environment from contaminated concrete, contact Lee Gedge

How can I contain / treat / prevent contaminated stormwater?
Section-5-question-3  

The most common release mechanisims for PFAS contamination have occurred as part of above ground activities meaning that the highest concentrations are typically found at the surface. This makes stormwater particularly vulnerable to PFAS contamination and for most sites the dominant pathway for migration of PFAS off-site.   To learn more about quantifying your PFAS emissions to the environment from contaminated stormwater, contact Lee Gedge

Soil and groundwater contamination assessment

Dealing with legacy contamination as a result of historic site activity
Section-6-question-1  

Although PFAS has been largely phased out of newer fire fighting products and other industrial chemicals, our experience has shown that legacy contamination is common. Understanding whether such legacy contamination is important in assessing risks associated with existing infrastructure and in due diligence prior to purchase of a potentially contaminated site. This understanding can only come from a detailed site history assessment. For more information on how such site history assessments can assist your organisation in decision making, contact Mark Clough

Am I contributing to contamination right now?
Section-6-question-2  

Whether a site is contributing contamination is based on an assessment of potential sources, release mechanisms and transport pathways. Sources can range from obvious, well known products (e.g. AFFF, misting agents) to less well understood sources such as old landfills or contaminated infrastructure. Understanding the source(s) is critical in determining whether a site may be contributing contamination.  For more information on how your organisation can understand whether your site is a continuing contributing source of contamination, contact  Mark Clough

Am I at risk of PFAS leaving my site and impacting others?
Section-6-question-3  

The fate and transport of PFAS is a complex problem due to the physical and chemical properties of PFAS and the individual configurations of each site. A strong conceptual site model that combines the physical setting of the site with a knowledge of how PFAS behaves in the environment is essential in helping to understand whether PFAS may or has left a site and via which pathway. For more information on the development of conceptual site models, contact  Mark Clough

Am I in an area of high ecological value?
Section-6-question-4  

PFAS products have been used in a number of site settings from highly industrialised urban areas to more rural settings. The sensitivity of receptors associated with each site can vary considerably from highly modified ecosystems of little ecological value to pristine and protected natural environments.  Understanding the nature of receptors near your site and how PFAS may enter these receptors is critical in determining any response action to PFAS releases.   For more information on how your organisation can understand the ecological setting of your site and risks from PFAS releases, contact Mark Clough

How does PFAS migrate?
Section-6-question-5.jpg  

PFAS can migrate in an number of different ways when released to the environment. It can be localised in soil around the release area and can then leach from soils to groundwater. It can also migrate via wind, surface water, drainage systems and groundwater. Understanding the extent of PFAS is critical in understanding environmental liability and risks. It requires a focussed and systematic approach using desk top analysis of sources and migration pathways and a detailed targeted sampling program. For more information on how such assessment programs are planned and conducted, contact Mark Clough

What sort of assesments should I consider?
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In order to determine if your site is impacted by PFAS contamination, an environmental site assessment (ESA) can be undertaken by an experienced environmental consultant. The assessment involves a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) which is a desktop review of the site history (including historic use of PFAS containing products both on site and surrounds) to assess the potential for contamination. If PFAS contamination is suspected the PSI is followed by a more detailed site investigation (DSI) involving sampling of potentially affected media (soil, groundwater, surface water, concrete etc.) to identify and quantify the presence and levels of PFAS on the site.  The DSI will also assess the risks to human health and/or environment at, or emanating from, the site. For more information on how to assess your site, contact Monika Janiak

Soil and groundwater contamination mitigation and remediation

How do I reduce risk?
Section-7-question-1  

The key is to adopt a consultative risk-based approach - to direct work to understand:  where risk is or may be significant, address the concerns of stakeholders, what the key contributing factors are, and how effort may be practicably best directed to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. In the case of soil, groundwater and water contamination, often there will be many possible sources contributing to the problem. In our experience, it can often be possible to show through more detailed consideration that either the risk is acceptable, or that only a few source areas account for most of the risk and this is where effort should be directed. Involving and consulting stakeholders is also a key matter, and retaining advisors that specialise in this field is important. For more information on reducing your PFAS risk, contact Peter Nadebaum

How can I treat of groundwater / stormwater / wastewater?
Section-7-question-2  

Once PFAS has been identified in a site's groundwater, stormwater or wastewater,  the need for and the magnitude of any response to this needs careful and considered thought. Our experience has shown the value of risk-based approaches to this issue to ensure any response is commensurate with the risks posed by the contamination, to avoid any unnecessary remediation or clean up. For more information on how informed, risk-based and practical responses are developed, contact Mark Clough

Assessment and stewardship of foam stocks

Do I need to have a current PFAS / Foam stock inventory?
Section-8-question-1  

Managing legacy PFAS within your firefighting foam stocks will be key to minimising the costs and liabilities associated with this product. Understanding what foams types you have is essential to enable you to appropriately manage that foam stock.  How you manage your legacy foam stock is likley to become a significant business risk issue, with foam management cost being the main driver.  For more information on how to formulate a PFAS management policy, contact Dylan Galt

How do I know when to swap-out PFAS products for non-PFAS equivalents?
Section-8-question-2  

If you have foam systems you should develop a plan to address any potential releases, either at times of maintenance or testing, or in an actual event. For more information on non-PFAS equivalent products, contact Mark Cahill

Do I need a PFAS foam management policy for my organisation?
Section-8-question-3  

Managing legacy PFAS within your firefighting foam stocks will be key to minimising the costs, and liabilities, associated with this product.  Having a policy will clearly demonstrate that your organisation is committed to a management process that can address the concerns of regulators, staff, clients and local property owners.  Understanding what foams types you have and how your staff will manage these going forward is likley to become a significant business risk issue, with foam management cost being the main driver.  For more information on how to formulate a PFAS management policy, contact Dylan Galt

Do I need a stewardship process for my old PFAS foam stocks?
Section-8-question-4  

Understanding what foams types you have and how you will manage these going forward will soon become a significant business and commercial issue, with foam management cost and reputation risk being the main drivers.  Beginning from the startpoint of a PFAS management plan your stewardship of existing foam stocks and how these are safely phased out is a critical step in that process. For more information, contact Dylan Galt

How confident can I be that I have removed my PFAS liability?
Section-8-question-5  

Replacing firefighting foams is not as simple as swapping one for another. Older foams can solidify and congeal on the inner surfaces of tanks, pipelines, pumps and valves. The systems that held the old foams must be thoroughly decontaminated before introducing new non PFAS foams.  This can be a complex exercise that requires detailed planning to minimise and manage wastewater creation and achieve an effective result,  For more information contact Lee Gedge

Fire risk management options

How do I ensure containment / retention of PFAS foam during periodic system testing?
Noise intrusion assessment  

You need to develop a procedure or install hardware systems that allow for the periodic testing of foam systems without release to the environment. You  then need to consider what foam best suits your needs in the future, with consideration of the potential for releases to the environment and/or legislation that may apply. In our experience, careful and detailed design of foam containment and recovery systems can provide protection against future liabilities and reputational risks. For more information on managing of PFAS foam during periodic testing, contact Mark Cahill

How do I assess foam performance specification? (Assessment and alternative foams assessment / selection)
Building acoustics  

There are many variables and standards that flourine free foams (F3) claim to achieve.
GHD works with our clients and foam suppliers to assess the suitability of F3 foams for the application proposed and require suppliers to warrant that the system and equipment that the foam is to be used with is suitable for their foam and the risk that is to be protected.
The foam manufacturer should guarantee that their foam is suitable for the likely design fire scenario. For more information on flouring free foams and performance specifications, contact Mark Cahill

How do I design and implement a replacement firefighting system?
Building acoustics  

This requires knowledge in the individual systems design basis and risk, the existing equipment , the foam to be used and the application method. There are many variables to be considered. F3 foams perform differently to the AFFF concentrates. Some questions to consider are: Is the foam suitable for the risk being protected? Will the existing proportioning equipment correctly pick-up and proportion the foam at the correct ratios? Is the application method for the F3 foam suitable for the risk? It can be a very complex consideration. For more information on design of your replacement firefighting system, contact Mark Cahill

Fire system testing, reconfiguration and decontamination

How do I match the fire risk to the replacement foam product  - Practical Foam Replacement Strategy
Section-10-question-1  

The type of foam, the proportioning and application rate are functions of the risk being protected. For F3 foams the manufacturer should be consulted to ensure their foam is suitable for the proposed liquid and advice on the recommended application methods.
The F3 foams are different to the old AFFF foams, with careful attention to be given to the aspiration rate (expansion rate) of the foam and the method of application (the old foams were more forgiving). The F3 foams, being a ‘mechanical foam’, must be applied in a manner that maintains the blanket. Manufacturers will require a minimum aspiration rate for their foams to be representative of the small scale tests that have been used to test the foam. For more information on replacement foams, contact Mark Cahill

Will a new foam work with my existing fire fighting system?
Section-10-question-2  

Not all systems are universal and match all types of foams. There are many aspects to be considered. You need to have the right foam for the application and the correct equipment to achieve the correct proportioning ratio. You also need to have sufficient concentrate stocks to support the required application rate and time.
You also need to have the correct hardware to allow the required expansion rate to be achieved, to apply a high quality mechanical blanket to any fire. For more information on your fire fighting system, contact Mark Cahill

How do I design my fire protection system to work with a new foam?
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Replacement of PFAS fire fighting foams with non-PFAS equivalents may result in fire fighting systems not operating as originally designed. Flourine free foams have different flow characterists and may require signficiant alternation to or replacement of proportionators, pumps, pipework etc. GHD's experienced professionals can advise on foam replacement and/or upgrade requirements for engineered, fixed foam systems. For more information on flourine free fire protection systems, contact Mark Cahill

How do I commission / recommission a "fluorine free" foam firefighting system?
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Any foam release during testing may have an adverse impact on the environment. Any system commissioning including F3 foam systems should avoid releasing foam into the environment. New or modified systems should involve the use of procedural or hardware solutions to avoid foam release during testing and/or commissioning. For more information on your fire fighting system, contact Mark Cahill

Stakeholder and community engagement

How do I communicate my PFAS issues with  my own staff?
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PFAS, like other contaminants that cause concern, can be alarming when you first discover that it is on your site. This alarm, fear or worry can be disguised in a number of forms. Mostly you worry about what you don't know, how much there is, whether it has migrated off site, whether you may have impacted workers or local communities, what it will cost to fix it. Staff however, will worry about whether they have been exposed and if they have, what that means. Your engagement process should be personal and reflect their values (rather than yours) if you hope to allay their concerns. i.e. you must share what you know, and be willing to share what you don't know. Be open and authentic; allow time for discussion, echo what they say and acknowledge the valid concerns; plan for emotional reaction, and be prepared to work together towards an outcome that meets the needs of you and them. For more information about communicating PFAS issues with your staff contact Barbara Campany

How do I communicate my PFAS issues with regulatory authorities?
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A regulator's role is to make sure companies are complying with regulations.  The style of communication between a regulator and a local resident for example, is quite different, reflecting the different interests in PFAS. Local residents are likely to be worried more about PFAS potentially affecting their health, local amenity or quality of life; regulators want to make sure companies meet legislative and regulatory requirements. They have a less emotive stake. Regulatory communication doesn't require the same level of personal engagement as the local community, rather an initial briefing and presenting information in a factual summary is usually adequate. Regulators expect companies to provide intensive and meaningful engagement with communities about PFAS. For more information on communicating with regulators or other government agencies about PFAS issues, contact Barbara Campany

How do I manage community concerns and expectations?
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PFAS has become a highly emotive issue, often magnified through the media. When communities first learn about the potential for PFAS being in their environment, their immediate reference is either what they have seen in the media, or what they can discover on-line. Either way, the perception of PFAS risks is usually out of context with the actual risk. At GHD we have worked closely with Dr Peter Sandman and apply his model of Risk = Hazard + Outrage, to communities potentially impacted by PFAS. It provides a useful framework to effectively manage community concerns and expectations. This framework is based on a number of engagement principles that can assist organisations change their engagement practices to more humble, personal and authentic processes, requiring more proactive and intensive engagement at the front end of a project, rather than reactive and often a 'crisis' driven response at the back end.   For more information communicate PFAS issues with your community, contact Barbara Campany

How do I manage media interest?
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If not carefully managed, media communication can provide another layer of complexity when addressing PFAS concerns in communities.  Proactive and authentic engagement at the grass roots level should be the focus rather than trying to appease the media. Factual, consistent and planned messaging and response to media enquiries is important.  An integrated communication approach across all stakeholder groups is important to ensure consistency across the project. For further information on managing media interests regarding PFAS contact Barbara Campany

Expert witness service

What do I do if I need court support
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GHD provides expert witness services on a number of topics, including PFAS control and management. As expert witness, GHD provides impartial professional and technical assessment and review to assist legal professionals to navigate the complex environmental issues presented by PFAS. For more information on expert witness services contact Lee Gedge.

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