Skip to main content
To search for an exact phrase, use quotes around the full phrase.

Utility

  • Become a Subscriber
  • Log in

Main navigation

  • Research
      Column
      Projects
      Current Projects
      Completed Projects
      All Projects
      Programs
      Grants Awarded
      Column
      Topics
      All Topics A-Z...
      Advanced Treatment
      Asset Management
      Biosolids
      Climate Change
      Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)
      Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins
      Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
      Energy Optimization
      Column
      Integrated Planning & Water Management
      Intelligent Water Systems
      Lead & Copper
      Microbes & Pathogens
      Nutrients
      PFAS
      Resource Recovery
      Reuse
      Stormwater
      Utility Management
      Water Use & Efficiency
  • Resources
      Our Magazine
      Case Studies
      COVID-19 Resources
      Upstream Strategies
      Web Tools
      Videos
  • Proposals
      Column
      Apply
      Open RFPs
      Advance Notice
      Column
      Guidelines
      Contract Materials
      Policies
      Proposal Guidelines
      Project Report Guidelines
  • Innovation
      WRF TechLink
      Resources
  • Our Subscribers
      Benefits
      Become a Subscriber
      Get to Know Subscriber Services
      One Water Rate FAQs
  • About Us
      Column
      The Foundation
      Careers
      Our Team
      Board of Directors
      Research Committees
      News
      eNews
      Press Releases
      Column
      Get Involved
      Participate in Research
      Awards
      Subscriber Impact
      Research Innovation
      Paul L. Busch
  • Webcasts & Events
      Column
      Upcoming Event

      Methods for Detecting and Differentiating Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens (OPPPs) to Determine Efficacy of Control and Treatment Technologies

      Webcast
      04/04/2023
      Register for Webcast
      Column
      Events
      Webcasts
      Conferences & Events
Back to Topic List

Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)

As new technologies allow us to more effectively detect chemicals and other substances at lower levels, we can zero in on substances that were either previously not measurable or may be newly introduced. From medicines and personal care products to pesticides and flame retardants, many compounds wind up in our wastewater systems, potentially making their way into our water sources. There is uncertainty about their short- and long-term health effects, as well as the best processes to reduce or remove them. Some of these substances, known as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), can trigger developmental and reproductive effects in aquatic life. Additionally, many compounds may bioaccumulate and can be passed up the food chain. As more data becomes available, regulations could follow suit, setting limits for these compounds that the water sector must comply with. Utilities must find new approaches to monitor and treat for these compounds, and must also be prepared to address new concerns that are not yet known.

For more information, contact Lola Olabode.

Topic Overview (PDF)
Login to follow this topic
132 Projects 3 Web Tools 6 Webcasts
Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (EDCs & PPCPs)
Microplastics
Project #5036

Technical Brief: Constituents of Emerging Concern Using a One Water Approach

$119,697
2021
Completed

Project Highlights

There is much research on the occurrence, treatment, and ecological and human health risks of constituents of emerging concern (CECs); however, many water sector professionals are seeking a stronger understanding of how to monitor and assess CECs, and how to...

View more details
Principal Investigator
Jerome
Diamond
Research Manager
Ms. Lola Olabode

Microplastics in Water

This microplastics fact sheet provides helpful context on this important emerging issue and describes WRF's ongoing efforts to fund research on this topic.

DOWNLOAD
Microplastics in the Mediterran Sea

Recent Updates

Project #5107
Understanding Pyrolysis for PFAS Removal

Reporting Period: November 1, 2022 – February 1, 2023

Project Update
03/22/2023
Project #5153
Evaluation of Bench-Scale Methods to Predict Drinking Water PFAS...

Reporting Period: November 1, 2022 - January 31, 2023

Project Update
03/01/2023
Project #5153
Evaluation of Bench-Scale Methods to Predict Drinking Water PFAS...

Reporting Period: May 1 - July 31, 2022

Project Update
01/09/2023
Project #5088
Defining Exposures of Microplastics /Fibers (MPs) in Treated Waters...

Reporting Period: May 1, 2021 – November 1, 2021. The database was populated first with drinking...

Project Update
03/04/2022
Project #5031
Occurrence of PFAS Compounds in US Wastewater Treatment...

Reporting Period: December 1, 2020 - May 15, 2021

Project Update
09/28/2022
Project #5031
Occurrence of PFAS Compounds in US Wastewater Treatment...

Reporting Period: July 1, 2020 - September 1, 2020

Project Update
09/28/2022
Project #5080
Assessment of Vulnerability of Source Waters to Toxic...

Reporting Period: January - April 2022

Project Update
10/28/2022
Project #4914
Utility Responses to Cyanobacterial/Cyanotoxin Events: Case Studies and...

Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 – September 1, 2020. During this period, the team created an...

Project Update
03/19/2021
Project #4914
Utility Responses to Cyanobacterial/Cyanotoxin Events; Case Studies and...

Reporting Period: December 2020 – March 2021. During this project period, the planned in-person World Café...

Project Update
05/28/2021
Project #4914
Utility Responses to Cyanobacterial/Cyanotoxin Events: Case Studies and...

Reporting Period: December 2021 – April 2022. The research team interviewed individual participating utilities remotely, using...

Project Update
08/19/2022

News

The Water Research Foundation and American Water Announce PFAS Risk Communication Toolkits

Press Release
12/20/2022

(Denver, CO, and Camden, NJ) 12/20/22 – As public awareness of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) continues to expand, water professionals are seeking ways to communicate with their customers clearly...

New Projects Funded on PFAS, Lead Service Lines, HABs, and More

eLetter
12/06/2021

Through the Tailored Collaboration (TC) Program, WRF partners directly with our utility subscribers on research and innovation projects. Under this program, a subscriber or group of subscribers can obtain matching...

WRF Research Presented at 25th International Ozone Association World Congress

eLetter
10/12/2021

The 25th International Ozone Association (IOA) World Congress, held August 30 – September 2, featured presenters from 13 countries discussing how ozone can be used to mitigate global challenges related...

View all Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs) News

Resources

Public Plus

Brominated and Chlorinated Flame Retardants: Relevance for Drinkiing Water Utilities

Executive Summary
05/24/2011
05/24/2011
Public Plus

UCMR5 Toolkit

Report
#5124B
12/16/2022
12/16/2022
Public Plus

Removal of Algal Toxins from Drinking Water Using Ozone and GAC

Executive Summary
08/01/2002
08/01/2002
View all Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs) Resources

Related Topics

Link

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

Link

Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products (EDCs & PPCPs)

Link

Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins

Link

Microplastics

Link

Advanced Treatment

Link

Biofiltration

Like reading about Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs) ?

Login to follow this topic
Subscribe to Newsletter

6666 W. Quincy Ave. Denver, CO 80235

1199 N. Fairfax St., Ste. 900 Alexandria, VA 22314

Social

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Footer menu

Column
Research
Biosolids
Climate Change
Energy Optimization
Integrated Water
Lead & Copper
PFAS
Resource Recovery
Utility Management
All Topics
Column
Projects
Current Projects
Completed Projects
All Projects
Programs
Grants Awarded
Proposals
Advance Notice
Open RFPs
Guidelines
Column
Resources
Our Magazine
Case Studies
Web Tools
Videos
Our Subscribers
Benefits
Become a Subscriber
Your Regional Liaison
Column
Events
Webcasts
Events
About Us
The Foundation
Careers
Our Team
Board of Directors
Contact Us

© 2023 The Water Research Foundation.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Footer - Legal

  • Copyright
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy/Security Notices
  • Non-Discrimination Policies
  • EULA
To search for an exact phrase, use quotes around the full phrase.

Main navigation

  • Research
      Column
      Projects
      Current Projects
      Completed Projects
      All Projects
      Programs
      Grants Awarded
      Column
      Topics
      All Topics A-Z...
      Advanced Treatment
      Asset Management
      Biosolids
      Climate Change
      Constituents of Emerging Concern (CECs)
      Cyanobacteria & Cyanotoxins
      Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
      Energy Optimization
      Column
      Integrated Planning & Water Management
      Intelligent Water Systems
      Lead & Copper
      Microbes & Pathogens
      Nutrients
      PFAS
      Resource Recovery
      Reuse
      Stormwater
      Utility Management
      Water Use & Efficiency
  • Resources
      Our Magazine
      Case Studies
      COVID-19 Resources
      Upstream Strategies
      Web Tools
      Videos
  • Proposals
      Column
      Apply
      Open RFPs
      Advance Notice
      Column
      Guidelines
      Contract Materials
      Policies
      Proposal Guidelines
      Project Report Guidelines
  • Innovation
      WRF TechLink
      Resources
  • Our Subscribers
      Benefits
      Become a Subscriber
      Get to Know Subscriber Services
      One Water Rate FAQs
  • About Us
      Column
      The Foundation
      Careers
      Our Team
      Board of Directors
      Research Committees
      News
      eNews
      Press Releases
      Column
      Get Involved
      Participate in Research
      Awards
      Subscriber Impact
      Research Innovation
      Paul L. Busch
  • Webcasts & Events
      Column
      Upcoming Event

      Methods for Detecting and Differentiating Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens (OPPPs) to Determine Efficacy of Control and Treatment Technologies

      Webcast
      04/04/2023
      Register for Webcast
      Column
      Events
      Webcasts
      Conferences & Events

Lift Main Navigation

  • Resources
      Column
      Intelligent Water Systems Challenge
      SEE IT

Utility

  • Become a Subscriber
  • Log in

Lift Utility

  • The Water Research Foundation