Independent forensic hydrogeologic review of soil and groundwater data to evaluate PFAS source attribution and class certification implications.

Why This Engagement Mattered

PFAS detections in private wells formed the technical basis for a proposed class action. Class certification depended on whether observed PFAS conditions could be attributed to a single facility-related source or reflected multiple contributing sources. Routine environmental reporting did not resolve questions of source attribution, spatial variability, or common impact.

Scope of Review

Reviewed historical investigation reports and soil and groundwater analytical data. Evaluated assumptions related to mist suppressant use, release mechanisms, and expected PFAS signatures. Conducted forensic comparisons of PFAS and co-contaminant distributions and developed an independent conceptual site model to assess consistency with single-source versus multi-source scenarios.

Technical Focus

Soil and groundwater; PFAS associated with metal plating operations; source attribution, contaminant fingerprinting, plume heterogeneity, and hydrogeologic controls on contaminant migration.

Closing Summary

This engagement demonstrates how forensic hydrogeology is applied to test the technical assumptions underlying class action environmental claims, with specific focus on source attribution, exposure variability, and the hydrogeologic factors relevant to class certification analysis.