Collaboration and innovation: Addressing PFAS challenges from an industry perspective
Lucy has developed and applied solutions to water and wastewater challenges in a broad range of industry sectors for more than 35 years. She works with industries to reduce water use and advances wastewater reuse solutions to minimize the industry’s water footprint. Her experience includes process troubleshooting, treatability and pilot tests, design, construction, and operations support for the removal of both conventional and emerging pollutants through the application of biological and physical/chemical technologies.
While at WEFTEC 2024, Lucy facilitated two panel discussions: “PFAS Management for Industrial Dischargers” and “PFAS Removal and Destruction Using Novel Technologies.” There, she was encouraged by the level of engagement and exchange of ideas between industry professionals and experts on one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges — PFAS contamination. While significant obstacles remain, progress has accelerated, and the solutions under development are getting closer to tackling this complex issue.
The quick fix: Moving PFAS from one medium to another
Due in part to a deeper awareness of PFAS impacts on human health and the environment, many industries are proactively treating this class of contaminants. However, as we learn more about PFAS and their behavior, it’s become abundantly clear to these same industries that PFAS removal doesn’t resolve the problem, but rather perpetuates a cycle.
As an example, while treatment solutions such as activated carbon adsorption remove PFAS from wastewater or other sources, as discussed in our sessions, spent carbon media requires disposal or regeneration, which means transferring PFAS to landfills or other waste management systems.
Another point made was that much of the PFAS discharged in domestic wastewater to public water reclamation facilities end up in the biosolids. The biosolids may be disposed of in a landfill, then the landfill may send their leachate containing PFAS from biosolids back to the water reclamation facility. This circular relationship doesn’t solve the root of the problem, but instead transfers the burden to another industry that is attempting to manage the contaminants. Breaking this cycle is imperative.
The power of destructive technologies
The most promising long-term solutions are those that focus on breaking down PFAS compounds instead of moving them from one medium to another. Technologies such as electrochemical oxidation and supercritical water oxidation, which were highlighted during the event, are at the forefront of these efforts. These processes demonstrate potential for destroying PFAS entirely, reducing the levels that circulate within our environment. However, there’s a strong need to further refine and optimize technologies so they can become mainstream, scalable and more widely accessible. We can expect considerable advancements in the coming years as the demand for PFAS solutions accelerates.
The challenge of regulatory inconsistencies
A lack of uniform federal regulations governing PFAS discharges to the environment requires companies and utilities to navigate a patchwork of state-by-state requirements. This can complicate compliance, especially for global or even national companies with facilities in multiple states. While some states have set strict limits for PFAS in wastewater discharges, others have yet to address the issue. This inconsistency can lead to significant cost disparities between industry approaches—even within a single company — depending on where they are operating.
Industry’s role in PFAS solutions
Despite current regulatory challenges, there is hope that federal standards will eventually bring clarity and uniformity to PFAS treatment requirements. As someone who works closely with industries grappling with these issues, I have a deep appreciation for the work being done to address PFAS contamination. Companies that have produced or used PFAS didn’t create this problem with malice; they are now facing significant costs to resolve a problem that impacts us all. But they are rising to the challenge. By adapting to evolving regulations, investing in technologies, and working with experts to find effective solutions, industries are playing a crucial role in reducing PFAS from the environment.
Looking ahead: A positive path forward
The ideal solution would be to prevent future unnecessary PFAS use, control the PFAS that are essential (e.g., certain medical devices), and destroy the PFAS described above. PFAS replacement means consumers, industries, and others would need to stop using goods and materials that rely on these chemicals — water-repellant and stain-resistant textiles, fume suppressants, firefighting foams, etc. The regulations in the European Union and current state-specific PFAS bans are increasing the likelihood of that happening. However, there is a need to find alternatives within a short span of time to have the greatest benefit. Current federal regulations in the U.S. are focused on controlling the use of PFAS and limiting their introduction into the environment. Similar to the spirit of the interactive discussions at WEFTEC, an overall solution requires the collaboration of many — from regulatory agencies to technology developers, from multiple public and private industries, down to their consumers.
The PFAS issue is complex and far-reaching, but with continued collaboration and ingenuity, I am optimistic that we will find lasting solutions. AECOM’s experts, in the meantime, will continue to stay on top of the latest regulations and technologies related to PFAS. We will also continue to trial potential treatments through our treatability labs, such as our current research on innovative sorbents for PFAS removal, and electrochemical oxidation and other technologies for PFAS destruction. It’s this process of continual innovation here at AECOM and across the industry that will minimize costs while maximizing PFAS treatment and destruction capabilities.
Thankfully, we are moving in the right direction, toward a future where destructive technologies will become more mainstream, costs will come down, and the environmental and public health impacts of PFAS will be significantly reduced.