In response to the 2006 California Department of Pesticide Regulation data re-evaluation, the Pyrethroid Working Group and Tri-TAC, representing publicly-owned treatment works (POTWs) developed a monitoring project for eight pyrethroid pesticides in influent, effluent, and biosolids. The project surveyed 32 POTWs between January and March 2013. At each location, samples of influent and effluent were collected as consecutive grab samples, and at sites that accommodated sampling of biosolids, this matrix was collected and composited. Two laboratories were used to analyze the biosolids samples as replicates and the effluent and influent samples as consecutive grabs (distinct samples). A pre-project intercomparison study was conducted to ensure sampling technique and comparability of the laboratories and methods. To maintain comparability with other pyrethroid pesticides data collected in the state of California, the project used the quality control criteria from the State of California's Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program. Samples were analyzed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry using a chemical ionization detector. Laboratory reporting limits ranged from 0.5 ng/L in the effluent to 80 ng/g in the biosolids. As predicted for a hydrophobic chemical, residues were greatest in the biosolids and lowest in the effluent. Of the eight pyrethroids monitored, permethrin was the dominant pyrethroid found followed by cypermethrin and bifenthrin.

Pyrethroid pesticides in municipal wastewater: A baseline survey of publicly-owned treatment works facilities in California

246th National Meeting (2013)

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