Navigating the Complexities of PFAS
At a glance
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have emerged as significant environmental concerns due to their ubiquity and toxicity. On April 10, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) promulgated the Final PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (Rule) to regulate six PFAS compounds: PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and GenX. Additional information about the Rule can be found at (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | US EPA). To become more familiar with industry implications read our recent insights piece, New PFAS rules are going to have major implications for the industry and public sector.
We are ready to help you comply with this new Rule and others. GHD has been assisting water utilities across the US for several years to prepare in anticipation of the new Rule. We are successfully delivering planning, treatability, design, and construction PFAS projects across the US. Our team partners with you to conduct treatment system analysis, sampling and PFAS testing, data analysis (including forensics), treatment option (both PFAS capture and PFAS destruction) recommendations and development of PFAS minimization plan.
Understanding of the new Rule
Assessing the efficiency and efficacy of the existing treatment process
Reliable and cost-effective treatment
There are many PFAS treatment technologies on the market. In general, the technologies can be grouped into the following two categories:
- PFAS capture using sorbent media, high-pressure membranes, or phase separation techniques.
- PFAS destruction using catalytical means such as supercritical water oxidation, thermal pyrolysis/gasification and electrochemical oxidation.
GHD has significant expertise with PFAS capture and destruction technologies. These technologies have different maturities and must be assessed on a case-by-case basis to confirm their fitness at a facility. Many environmental factors and water quality parameters impact the efficacy of PFAS management including the presence of co-contaminants, pH, total organic carbon (TOC), presence of inorganic ions to name a few. Our in-depth PFAS capability can help distil the growing field of technologies, help make well informed decisions and select the best technologies to achieve compliance in a cost-effective manner.