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Removing PFAS from Drinking Water
Citation:
Speth, T. Removing PFAS from Drinking Water. Oklahoma DEQ - EPA ORD Joint Meeting, Ada, Oklahoma, August 15, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
For utilities that have PFAS in their source water at concentrations of health concern. Eliminate source of PFAS to the source water. Either choose a new source of water or choose a technology, design, and operational scheme that will reduce PFAS to safe levels at the lowest possible cost in a robust, reliable, and sustainable manner that avoids unintended consequences. Positive impacts on the performance of the rest of the treatment system for other parameters (e.g., improved control of particulates/pathogens, taste & odor compounds, industrial contaminants, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disruptors) Positive impacts on the distribution system (e.g., decreased lead, copper, or iron corrosion; better disinfection residual maintenance; fewer disinfection byproducts) Negative impacts on the performance of the rest of the treatment system for other parameters (e.g., decreased control of particulates/pathogens, taste & odor compounds, other source water contaminants) Negative impacts on the distribution system (e.g., increased lead, copper, or iron corrosion; disinfection residual maintenance difficulties)
Description:
For utilities that have PFAS in their source water at concentrations of health concern. Eliminate source of PFAS to the source water. Either choose a new source of water or choose a technology, design, and operational scheme that will reduce PFAS to safe levels at the lowest possible cost in a robust, reliable, and sustainable manner that avoids unintended consequences. Problem: Utilities lack treatment technology cost data for PFAS removal. Action: Gather performance and cost data from available sources (DOD, utilities, industry, etc.) Evaluate home treatment systems. Conduct research on performance of treatment technologies. Update EPA’s Unit Cost Models to address PFAS. Connect EPA’s TDB to EPA’s Unit Cost Models for ease of operation. Model performance and cost, and then extrapolate to other scenarios. Variable source waters. Variable PFAS concentrations in source water. Different regeneration/disposal options. Document secondary benefits. Address treatment impact on corrosion. Impact: Enable utilities to make informed decisions about cost-effective treatment strategies for removing PFAS from drinking water.