Managing PFAS in Wastewater Effluent

Removal of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at the East Canyon Water Reclamation Facility

Team: Ross Allen, Abby Englund, Abbygael Johnson, and Parker Price

Sponsor: Carollo Engineers, Snyderville Basin Water Reclamation District

Project

The purpose of this project is to explore technologies for reducing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) concentrations in the liquid stream at the East Canyon Water Reclamation Facility (ECWRF). The design goal is to reduce effluent concentrations to < 2 ng/L through the addition of a new treatment process added to the existing wastewater treatment plant.

Treatment Alternatives

Do Nothing

Granular Activated Carbon

Ion Exchange Resin

Reverse Osmosis

Destruction Technologies

Selection Criteria

Cost Efficiency (40%)
Consistent Removal Efficiency (40%)
Minimal Space Requirement (5%)
Environmental Impact (15%)

Footprints of analyzed alternatives, shown in black hatched area, and available area, shown in blue

Proposed location of new PFAS treatment building at ECWRF.

Selected tank system (AqueoUS2023).

Selected Alternative

The recommended treatment alternative is an application of ion exchange resin. This alternative was selected based on the selection criteria as well as the fact that it offers PFAS destruction.

Energy Usage
530,000 kWh/year

Removal Efficiency
77-99%

Predicted Footprint
3,650 ft²

Cost
$0.51/1000 gal treated

Proposed treatment process flow diagram.

East Canyon Water Reclamation Facility (Bench 2023).

Acknowledgements

Our team would like to thank the following for their assistance:

Jade Echard, PE
Ryan Bench, PE
Marlo Davis
Dr. Ryan Dupont, PhD
Professor Austin Ball, SE
Water Environment Association of Utah