Guiding Utilities Toward Sustainable PFAS Waste Solutions (WRF #5285)

HDR, in collaboration with the Water Research Foundation (WRF), is leading a research initiative to help drinking water utilities navigate one of the most complex challenges in meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS. While treatment technologies such as granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange (IX), and membrane processes are effective for PFAS removal, they generate PFAS-laden liquid and solid residuals that are costly to manage, lack consistent regulatory oversight and have limited industry guidance for disposal or reuse. 

Utilities face significant uncertainty around waste characterization, disposal pathways, regulatory expectations, and long-term life-cycle costs as compliance deadlines approach.

This project aims to deliver clarity and actionable solutions through the development of a practical, utility-focused decision framework and guidance document. The research approach includes:

• A comprehensive review of technologies and regulations.
• Stakeholder engagement through surveys and a project workshop.
• Targeted experimental studies at bench, pilot, and full-scale levels to address critical data gaps.
• Economic analysis of PFAS waste management alternatives.

Experimental evaluations will address liquid and solid residuals, IX regeneration, GAC reactivation, and nanofiltration/reverse osmosis concentrate management. By synthesizing these findings, HDR and WRF will provide utilities with consistent, evidence-based strategies to manage PFAS-laden wastes while balancing compliance, cost and long-term sustainability.

The results of this collaboration will benefit drinking water utilities nationwide, equipping them with the tools and confidence to make informed decisions that protect resources, meet regulatory requirements and support resilient operations for decades to come.