Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Canadian Municipal Wastewater Treatment Systems

This data set contains concentrations of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater Influent (INF), Effluent (EFF), Landfill Leachate (LCH), Biosolids (BIOS) and Sludge (SLG) sampled from various Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and Landfills across Canada.

Scientific Publications:

Gewurtz, S. B.; Auyeung, A. S.; De Silva, A. O.; Teslic, S.; Smyth, S. A. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Canadian municipal wastewater and biosolids: Recent patterns and time trends 2009 to 2021. Sci. Total Environ. 2024, 912, 168638, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168638.

Gewurtz, S. B.; Guerra, P.; Kim, M. G.; Jones, F.; Challen Urbanic, J.; Teslic, S.; Smyth, S. A. Wastewater treatment lagoons: Local pathways of perfluoroalkyl acids and brominated flame retardants to the Arctic environment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2020, 54 (10), 6053-6062, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b06902.

Guerra, P.; Kim, M.; Kinsman, L.; Ng, T.; Alaee, M.; Smyth, S. A. Parameters affecting the formation of perfluoroalkyl acids during wastewater treatment. J. Hazard. Mater. 2014, 272, 148-154, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2014.03.016.

Lakshminarasimman, N.; Gewurtz, S. B.; Parker, W. J.; Smyth, S. A. Removal and formation of perfluoroalkyl substances in Canadian sludge treatment systems – A mass balance approach. Sci. Total Envion. 2021, 754, 142431, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142431.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Last Updated April 17, 2026, 21:59 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 21:59 (UTC)
contact_email enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
contact_person {"en": "Government of Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, 1-800-668-6767, ec.enviroinfo.ec@ec.gc.ca", "fr": "Gouvernement du Canada; Environnement et Changement climatique Canada, 1-800-668-6767, ec.enviroinfo.ec@ec.gc.ca"}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope ["0"]
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2022-02-02 05:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"en": ["Waste water", "Wastewater", "Sludge", "Biosolids", "Raw influent", "Primary effluent", "Final effluent", "Primary treatment", "Secondary treatment", "Tertiary treatment", "Advanced treatment", "Trace contaminants", "Perfluoroalkyl", "Polyfluoroalkyl"], "fr": ["Eaux usées", "Eaux usées", "Boues", "Biosolides", "L'influent brut", "Effluent primaire", "Effluent final", "Traitement primaire", "Traitement secondaire", "Traitement tertiaire", "Traitement avancé", "Contaminants traces", "Perfluoroalkylées", "Polyfluroalkylées"]}
open_canada_subject ["nature_and_environment"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Substances perfluoroalkylées et polyfluroalkylées dans les systèmes de traitement des eaux usées des municipalités canadiennes
update_frequency as_needed