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PFAS FAQ

Are permits required for Salem to treat the leachate?

With DEQ’s approval, regulation, and monitoring, we permit four companies to deliver leachate to our wastewater treatment system. They include Valley Landfill (Coffin Butte in Polk County), Capitol Recycling and Disposal (local garbage transfer station), Riverbend Landfill (located in McMinnville in Yamhill County), and LRI Landfill (located in Puyallup, WA). Riverbend Landfill has an active permit but has not delivered any leachate since 2018.

Are PFAS compounds regulated?

There are Federal and State advisories and regulations for PFAS in drinking water. For wastewater, aside from being placed on a State Persistent Priority Pollutants Program in 2007, there are no national or state Environmental Protection Agency and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency has developed a roadmap to understand the issue to help determine the next steps for the managing of PFAS in wastewater systems.  

How can you learn more about PFAS?

For additional information, consider the following trusted sources: 

What can you do to reduce PFAS in the environment?

Reducing your use of products that contain these chemicals is the first step to controlling their impact on our environment. 

  1. Check product labels for ingredients that include the words “fluoro” or “perfluoro” 

  1. Be aware of packaging for food that contains grease-repellent coatings 

  1. Avoid stain-resistance treatments 

  1. Avoid or reduce the use of non-stick cookware 

  1. Dispose of electronics, batteries, and pharmaceuticals properly 

Marion County has several programs on recycling and waste reduction that could help reduce the impact of PFAS and reduce the amount of trash that ends up in our landfills. 

Why are we concerned about PFAS in leachate?

The presence of PFAS in leachate and its potential to adversely affect public health and the environment is why we are taking steps to learn more and begin to share information with the public on this issue. PFAS are human-made compounds that have been manufactured and used in the U.S. and around the world. since the 1950s. PFAS are used to make nonstick pans, keep our cheeseburgers from sticking to the wrappers and keep our couches stain-free. When these items are discarded, they are taken to landfills where leachate forms.  

Why does Salem treat leachate?

There is a significant environmental benefit to cleaning leachate before returning it to the environment.  Just like all waste generators in our community,  landfill companies compensate us for the services we provide.