From PFAS source attribution to collaborative management in a One Water system

From PFAS source attribution to collaborative management in a One Water system | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article From PFAS source attribution to collaborative management in a One Water system Stanley Grant, Lauren Krauss, Md Redowan Rashid, Mishelle Noble-Blair, and 7 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8884128/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract A major barrier to preventing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from entering drinking water supplies is identifying and quantifying their upstream sources, particularly in One Water systems that integrate diverse water inputs. Here we combine high-frequency measurements with mass-balance analysis to quantify PFAS and major-ion loading to the Occoquan Reservoir, a drinking-water supply serving one million people in Northern Virginia, USA. Mass-balance analysis at the confluence of watershed inflows and treated wastewater inputs reveals seasonally varying contributions from domestic wastewater, watershed runoff, and a single significant industrial user (SIU) of the sanitary sewer system. A one-month, system-scale diversion of SIU effluent confirms this source attribution for several short-chain PFAS and major ions, with concentration deficits closely matching withheld mass. These results demonstrate that traditional mass-balance approaches can inform collaborative management of PFAS contamination in One Water systems. Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences/Environmental impact Scientific community and society/Water resources PFAS mass balance source attribution One Water potable reuse wastewater reclamation drinking-water supply Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files DiversionPFASSI21426.pdf Supplemental Information Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8884128","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":607529718,"identity":"3d2aacf1-e78e-4035-bfbc-7c97ef4e9b57","order_by":0,"name":"Stanley 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