DEXSORB® Assists Potomac Riverkeeper Network to Monitor PFAS Effects Across Chesapeake Watershed
One application of DEXSORB® is a water test kit that makes PFAS testing affordable, accurate, and easy to use.
In addition to households, the test kit is used by the federal government, states, research institutions, and environmental groups. Local groups and organizations have been using the test kit since 2020 to gather information about PFAS in local watersheds for their communities. This story highlights a group that uses Cyclopure PFAS test services and the work they are doing to protect waterways from PFAS.
Fighting PFAS at the Source
For Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN), headquartered in Washington, DC, PFAS isn’t a new issue.
They’ve been on the front lines since 2018. Their mission is to protect the public’s right to clean water in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and their tributaries.
Their campaign, “Stop PFAS at the Source,” is focused on one goal: protecting rivers, farmland, and communities from the effects of PFAS contamination.
Where It Started: Follow the Water
PRKN’s early work focused on studying how PFAS moves.
Using Cyclopure’s Water Test Kit Pro, they sampled streams near military bases where AFFF had been used, tracking how PFAS contamination migrated offsite and into surrounding waterways.
What they found helped bring attention to the need for action.
- State agencies began testing
- Fish consumption advisories were issued in Maryland
- Ongoing efforts continue in Virginia
Awareness seeded a campaign of response.
Why They Chose Cyclopure’s Water Test Kit Pro for PFAS
PRKN was first introduced to Cyclopure during a Waterkeeper Alliance National River assessment in 2022.
With funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Cyclopure leveraged DEXSORB’s selectivity for PFAS chemicals to develop a point-of-use water test kit for PFAS. The test uses a DEXSORB-loaded extraction disc in a collection cup to capture PFAS at the time of water sampling. This method permits real-time capture of PFAS from tap and surface sources, providing an instant snapshot (a “polaroid”) of the water quality.
The testing format enables:
- Accurate detection of 55 PFAS analytes
- Consistent performance in a variety of drinking and non-drinking water matrices
- Low-cost testing without sacrificing data quality
After using the kits in the field and reviewing comparison studies, PRKN was sold.
Today, DEXSORB-enabled testing is a key part of how they generate data, engage communities, and focus attention. Affordability allows the group to engage in ongoing monitoring, not limited by cost to one-off or infrequent testing using other test methods.
Scaling Community Impact
PRKN uses Cyclopure PFAS test kits for large-scale community assessment projects, including:
- Nomini Bay, Virginia
- Antietam Watershed, Pennsylvania
These projects focus on helping well owners in areas with heavy sludge fertilizer or “biosolids.” PFAS in sludge fertilizer can contaminate food, soil, and water, posing health risks.
The goal is simple: Help communities understand their exposure.
Outcomes guide action.
- Residents get real data about their water
- Communities become informed and engaged
- Responsive efforts are steered by data
The test kits are tool and catalyst.
From Data to Change
Using the water test kit, PRKN has been able to:
- Identify PFAS contamination pathways
- Support state-level testing and advisories
- Educate communities
The test kit has played an integral role in PRKN community presentations and outreach, always noted as a valuable screening tool for ongoing PFAS monitoring.
These are the benefits of accessible science.
Tap Water to Watersheds
Since the first test of tap water in the fall of 2019, the water test kit is now used in all 50 states to test rivers, streams, wells, and household tap water across the country. From cities to remote rural areas. The ability to access accurate data about PFAS in water is available to everyone.
PRKN is dedicated to its mission. Cyclopure’s water test kit is a trusted assistant at the water’s edge. We are happy for information gained by PRKN from the service, and appreciate their reciprocal sharing of water test kit benefits with:
- Other water protection groups
- Local communities
- Residents concerned about their drinking water
What This Means for You
An individual PFAS journey typically starts with: “Is PFAS in my water?”
PRKN’s work shows what can happen when people get the answer to that question.
It leads to:
- Awareness
- Action
- Protection
Awareness provides Knowledge > Knowledge Leads to Action > Action Leads to Protection
If you are concerned about PFAS in your water, the first step is to test.
Cyclopure’s Water Test Kit Pro is at your service.
