Abstract Submission: With new regulatory requirements for PFAS, water recycling facilities must now address the removal of these chemicals from the water cycle. PFAS enter WWTPs through various sources. While PFAS are not destroyed during wastewater treatment, precursor compounds can transform into other similar PFAS compounds. Removing PFAS from wastewater is crucial for producing safe, high-quality reclaimed water suitable for various reuse applications in California. Given California's stringent water quality regulations, eliminating PFAS from wastewater is essential to comply with these standards, particularly for potable and non-potable reuse applications. This presentation will review PFAS based on evaluations of 60 diverse WWTPs in California, varying in size and treatment processes, conducted by CDM Smith. The results will be benchmarked against the WRF Project 5031 - Occurrence of PFAS Compounds in U.S. Wastewater Treatment Plants, led by CDM Smith. The discussion will focus on evaluating the nature of the PFAS present and how this relates to potential PFAS mitigation approaches. The impact of PFAS on effluent is particularly significant in potable water reuse scenarios, such as indirect groundwater recharge projects. We will showcase our work designing an advanced treatment train to meet indirect groundwater recharge water quality standards, including an efficient approach to PFAS removal. Our presentation will explore the complexities of treating wastewater for PFAS, addressing total organic carbon (TOC) reduction alongside biological activated carbon (BAC) and polishing granular activated carbon (GAC) processes. Furthermore, we will review recent performance data of novel adsorbents (e.g., FLUORO-SORB and DEXORB) in PFAS removal applications amidst competing organics. We will show where and how these novel adsorbents will be applicable. These data demonstrate significant performance improvements compared to other adsorption media, such as GAC, which may incur higher costs due to additional pre-treatment or reverse osmosis membranes, leading to large volumes of PFAS-contaminated brine requiring management.
Learning Objectives/Expected Outcome (Optional) : Three takeaways: 1- Upon completion, the audience will be able to understand the importance of PFAS removal for compliance and safety from wastewater is crucial for producing safe, high-quality reclaimed water that meets California's stringent water quality regulations. 2- Upon completion of the session, the audience should be aware of the challenges and solutions in PFAS treatment. 3- Upon completion of the session, the audience should appreciate the importance of addressing PFAS contamination to gain public confidence and support for water reuse programs.
