D5: WORKSHOP - PFAS management in the Nordic countries - challenges and solutions
Tracks
Scandinavia Scene
| Tuesday, September 23, 2025 |
| 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM |
| Scandinavia Scene |
Details
PFAS is a large group of very persistent chemicals that tend to accumulate in the environment and in human and animal bodies. They therefore pose a serious threat to the environment and human health.
Removing PFAS from the urban water cycle causes a wide range of challenges for water service providers. While technologies exist to remove most PFAS, they are unsustainable, mainly due to their technical complexity, resource intensity (water, energy, treatment chemicals) and the generation of PFAS-containing residues. Reliance on end-of-pipe solutions creates a substantial stumbling block on the water sector’s journey towards climate neutrality.
Any emissions of PFAS into the environment need to be avoided, using the Precautionary Principle and the Control-at-Source Principle. This has to be achieved by a combination of remediation measures for already existing PFAS sins – and a universal PFAS restrictions on EU-level.
If policy makers consider certain uses as essential and unavoidable, it must be ensured that PFAS chemicals are not released into the environment. The Polluter Pays Principle must be applied (possibly through mandatory extended producer responsibility schemes) to remedy any existing or future contamination of drinking water resources and wastewater.
Acting now is clearly the most sustainable and effective way to limit the exposure of consumers to PFAS and preserve our valuable water resources for now and future generations.
Removing PFAS from the urban water cycle causes a wide range of challenges for water service providers. While technologies exist to remove most PFAS, they are unsustainable, mainly due to their technical complexity, resource intensity (water, energy, treatment chemicals) and the generation of PFAS-containing residues. Reliance on end-of-pipe solutions creates a substantial stumbling block on the water sector’s journey towards climate neutrality.
Any emissions of PFAS into the environment need to be avoided, using the Precautionary Principle and the Control-at-Source Principle. This has to be achieved by a combination of remediation measures for already existing PFAS sins – and a universal PFAS restrictions on EU-level.
If policy makers consider certain uses as essential and unavoidable, it must be ensured that PFAS chemicals are not released into the environment. The Polluter Pays Principle must be applied (possibly through mandatory extended producer responsibility schemes) to remedy any existing or future contamination of drinking water resources and wastewater.
Acting now is clearly the most sustainable and effective way to limit the exposure of consumers to PFAS and preserve our valuable water resources for now and future generations.
Speaker
Anders Finnson
Svenskt Vatten
PFAS management in the Nordic countries - challenges and solutions
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Anders Finnson
Svenskt Vatten
Update on PFAS in EU water and chemicals legislation
Caroline Rickers
DANVA
The Danish PFAS Action Plan approved by the Danish Folketinget
Paula Lindell
FIWA
The Finnish PFAS roadmap – national initiative or Highlights from the Finnish PFAS roadmap
Anna Maria Sundin
Project Manager
Rise Research Institutes of Sweden
The Swedish PFAS handbook for water&wastewater operator
Arne Haarr
Norsk Vann
Update on Norwegian PFAS policies
