Navigating Forever Chemicals: Ohio’s Action Plan for Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to navigate new regulatory standards, best practices, and resources for managing PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in your community's water and wastewater facilities.

Known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment, PFAS have been linked to health concerns and are a growing focus of state and federal regulators.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials will join us to explain and answer questions about new and upcoming regulations for monitoring and managing PFAS in drinking water and wastewater systems.

Attendees will gain insight into Ohio’s plans to protect public health by reducing PFAS exposure and ensuring safe water systems for the future.

Light refreshments and beverages will be provided. Professional contact hours may be available for water and wastewater operators. Approval is pending with Ohio EPA.

Discussions will focus on:

• Ohio’s regulatory authority and ongoing efforts to address PFAS in drinking water and wastewater systems. Learn what’s driving new regulations and how Ohio plans to protect community water sources.
• Current and upcoming PFAS testing requirements for drinking water, including how utilities can prepare for compliance with the specific steps Ohio EPA is taking to ensure safe drinking water and the critical role of utilities.
• Strategies for controlling and managing PFAS, factors that facility operators need to consider, and engineering solutions that can help communities meet new standards.

Who Should Attend?

• Water and wastewater facility operators and staff
• Municipal leaders and government officials
• Engineers and environmental consultants
• Public health officials
• Anyone interested or involved in the management or regulation of water resources
  
  

Speakers

Our speakers are the experts working to develop and implement new regulations to safeguard water systems from PFAS.

Ashley Ward, Assistant Chief, Ohio EPA Division of Surface Water

Ashley administers the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Wet Weather, 208 Planning, 604(b), IT Resources, Permit to Install, and Pretreatment programs. She has 12 years of experience in the Division of Surface Water, including positions managing 208, managing and supervising NPDES, and working on programs such as enforcement, rules, and pretreatment. Prior to Ohio EPA, Ashley worked as a microbiologist in research and development for Lexmark. She earned bachelor's degrees from The Ohio State University in Environmental Science (water specialization) and Chemical Engineering and was licensed as a professional engineer in 2017.

Justin Burke, assistant chief, Ohio EPA Division of Drinking & Ground Waters

Justin works with the Compliance, Enforcement, Source Water Protection and Rule Making sections of Ohio EPA. He has worked in both the Drinking Water and Environmental Restoration programs over his 20+ year career at the agency. Prior to Ohio EPA, Justin started his career at the Fernald Environmental Restoration Project, working in environmental data collection and reporting. He earned a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Cincinnati.

Brad Lowery, President, Jones & Henry Engineers

Brad has practiced engineering for more than 10 years and has been with Jones & Henry since 1998. He has been involved in the design of numerous water and wastewater treatment plant projects in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. Brad is a professional engineer and a member of the Water Environment Federation, the American Water Works Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Toledo.