Concerns about monitoring and managing chemicals at Arlington County’s Water Pollution Control Plant have prompted a public hearing this week.

The hearing is a follow-up to a public comment period last September and October, where advocates sought amendments to the draft permit related to limitations and best management practices for PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances).

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will conduct the meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Innovation Elementary School (2300 Key Blvd). It relates to the county’s request to continue operations at the plant — located at 3402 S. Glebe Road — and its practice of releasing treated wastewater into the Potomac River watershed via Four Mile Run.

In addition, the county is seeking continuation of the removal by a contractor of sludge left over during the treatment process, DEQ officials said.

PFAS represent a large grouping of manmade chemicals. Because they do not break down easily, they have caused health and environmental concerns.

Among groups raising concerns about operations at the county’s Water Pollution Control Plant is Wild Virginia, a nonprofit advocacy group.

David Sligh, the organization’s water-quality program director, explained his group’s concerns to ARLnow:

“Dangerous PFAS chemicals have been discharged to streams from the Arlington wastewater plant and carried to farm fields around the state in its sewage sludge. But the Virginia DEQ has refused to meet its legal obligations to protect people and wildlife from the serious threats these pollutants pose.”

“The public must continue to demand that state officials listen to our voices and enforce the Clean Water Act and state standards,” Sligh said.

According to environmental and health advocates, even small amounts of PFAS can cause serious health problems, including fertility issues and pregnancy complications, weakened immune system and hormone disruption, hyperthyroidism, obesity and certain cancers.

In addition to the Jan. 15 public hearing, DEQ is hosting a further public comment period on the county’s application. This is open now and will run through Jan. 30.