Date
Monday, July 28, 2025
Time
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Location Name
Room 301E
Name
PFAS in Wastewater -From Research to Reality
Track
Biosolids
Description
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of compounds that have gained significant attention from the public and the scientific community due to their prevalence, persistence, and toxicity. The presence of PFAS in WRRFs has been widely reported. However, comprehensive quantitative data on specific PFAS compounds, their fate and phase partitioning through WRRF treatment processes, and the factors that control PFAS distribution in finished biosolids remain poorly understood. The absence of this fundamental information is a critical barrier for utilities to effectively manage and respond to a rapidly evolving public perception and regulatory climate related to PFAS. A significant body of research on PFAS fate and transport in the environment has accumulated in recent years, and tools and insights from this research can be leveraged to investigate much-needed information that is specific to WRRFs. This paper will discuss the findings of the following WRF projects related to PFAS and provide key conclusions that can be drawn from each project, and how utility managers and operators can apply this research to potentially address real-life PFAS issues at their specific WRRF in a cost-effective manner. 1.WRF Project 5031 - Occurrence of PFAS Compounds in U.S. Wastewater Treatment Plants 2.WRF Project 5042 - Assessing PFAS Release from Finished Biosolids 3.WRF Project 5082 – Investigation of Alternative Management Strategies to Prevent PFAS from Entering Drinking Water Supplies and Wastewater 4.WRF Project 5214 – Direct In Situ Measurement of PFAS Transformation and Leaching from Land-Applied Biosolids 5.WRF Project 5212 – Enhanced Aeration and Scum Recovery for Physical Removal of PFAS from Wastewater