Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID RI_2025_Becanova

Investigating Ultrashort-chain PFAS Sources in Rhode Island's Drinking Water

Institute: Rhode Island
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $20,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $19,945

Principal Investigators: Jitka Becanova

Project Summary: PFAS are man-made chemicals used to make products resistant to water and grease, but they last a long time in the environment and are linked to serious health risks. A little-studied group, called ultrashort-chain PFAS, is now being found in rain, rivers, and drinking water around the world, including at higher levels than older PFAS. These chemicals move easily through water, are hard to remove with standard treatment, and are difficult to test for with current methods. This project will measure PFAS in drinking water across Rhode Island, using advanced tools to detect more compounds, trace where they come from, and map areas most at risk. The results will provide essential information to improve monitoring, regulation, and strategies to reduce PFAS contamination.