Safeguarding Our Water Sources From Forever Chemicals

The treatment of both water and wastewater is important in the provision of safe drinking water

Water utilities treat raw water to remove pollutants and render it safe to drink. This treated water is then distributed to consumers through pipes, so clean, safe drinking water flows from our taps.

But for this to be sustainable, utilities must have a reliable source of water, usually groundwater or surface water. Highly polluted source water requires more complex handling, so it costs more to treat. It is far more beneficial for environmental and human health to protect source water by treating wastewater effectively before it’s discharged, thereby preventing harmful pollutants from getting into the environment in the first place.

Each September, the American Water Works Association declares the end of the month as Source Water Protection Week, a campaign to raise awareness about the critical nature of protecting our rivers, lakes, and underground wells from pollution. Seven Seas joins this important cause and is actively contributing to finding solutions.

The Persistent Threat of PFAS: Understanding Its Sources

One of the most pressing threats to our water sources is the presence of emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These industrial substances, known as forever chemicals, are highly persistent and accumulate in the environment. Their persistent nature allows them to accumulate in source water, where they are ingested by animals and humans and tend to bioaccumulate in organisms higher up the food chain. Exposure to PFAS, which are known endocrine disrupters, is associated with a variety of serious health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, weakened immune response, liver and kidney damage, and reproductive and development problems.

PFAS chemicals originate from a wide range of sources, including industrial discharges, firefighting foam, household products such as nonstick cookware, reuse of wastewater with residual fertilizers, landfill leachate, and wastewater effluent. Once in the environment, PFAS can contaminate surface water, groundwater, and wells that serve as drinking water sources. According to a recent United States Geological Survey study, about 45% of tap water across the country contains at least one of the more than 12,000 types of PFAS chemicals.

There are several strategies to protect source water from contamination with PFAS, including applying stricter regulatory standards, reducing contamination from firefighting foams by phasing out PFAS-based products, and encouraging industries to adopt safer alternatives or to limit the release of these chemicals with proper waste disposal and wastewater treatment methods.

Treating and Removing PFAS from Water

While PFAS may persist in the environment, some treatments are effective at removing them from water. Below are some of the most commonly used PFAS removal methods that are approved by the EPA.

• Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters adsorb PFAS molecules onto the surface of activated carbon granules. As water passes through the carbon filters, PFAS chemicals adhere to the granules. While GAC is effective at removing long-chain PFAS, it is less effective at removing short-chain PFAS compounds. This method is widely used in municipal water treatment, but the carbon filters require frequent replacement or regeneration, which poses environmental concerns.
• Ion exchange resins are designed to attract and bind PFAS molecules. As water passes over ion resin beads, the PFAS ions are exchanged for nontoxic ions like chloride that are attached to the surface of the beads. Ion exchange resins are particularly effective at removing both long-chain and short-chain PFAS and are often used in combination with GAC or other treatment methods. As with GAC, the resins must be replaced or regenerated periodically, and the PFAS-laden resin requires careful disposal.
• With reverse osmosis, water is forced through a semipermeable membrane under high pressure. The pores in the membrane trap PFAS and other impurities and the clean water passes through. RO systems are highly effective at removing both long-chain and short-chain PFAS, along with a wide range of other contaminants. While RO systems are energy-intensive and generate wastewater containing concentrated impurities, including PFAS, advancements in disposal techniques are continuously improving to ensure environmental protection.
• Nanofiltration works in a way similar to RO but has smaller pores and operates at a lower pressure, making it more energy efficient. Nanofiltration is effective at removing both long-chain and some short-chain PFAS compounds but may allow certain smaller molecules to pass through. While nanofiltration uses less energy than RO systems, it also produces a PFAS-concentrated waste stream that needs to be disposed of appropriately. Membrane fouling can also be a problem.

PFAS are incredibly challenging and expensive to remove from the environment. Contaminated water sources may require advanced water treatment processes, which puts pressure on already stretched municipal water systems.

Seven Seas is committed to helping industries and municipalities protect source water from PFAS and preventing these harmful chemicals from causing long-lasting damage to human health and the environment. By taking an active approach to controlling PFAS pollution, we can ensure safer water supplies and healthier aquatic ecosystems for future generations.

Contact Seven Seas to learn more about our water and wastewater treatment solutions for managing PFAS and other emerging contaminants.

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