Selecting Suitable Solutions

Langan Supports Clients during Testing of PFAS Treatment Alternatives

There is no one-size-fits-all solution when addressing PFAS in water and soil. As the array of available technologies continues to grow, project teams should account for the time needed to thoroughly explore remediation options before making critical decisions. Although testing treatment options may initially seem costly and time-consuming, it helps prevent challenges, avoid failure during full-scale implementation, and can ultimately lead to significant cost savings.

The first step in selecting suitable PFAS treatment options involves a careful desktop review of site data focused on narrowing down potential approaches to one or two that best meet project goals. At many sites, bench-scale or field pilot testing can be avoided. However, understanding water chemistry is essential, especially for flow-through systems such as those used for drinking water and groundwater treatment with granular activated carbon, ion exchange resin, or other separation media. If the desktop review points to potential water quality challenges, bench-scale testing should be conducted, possibly followed by a pilot test, to verify the effectiveness of pre-treatment and PFAS treatment processes. Often, the pre-treatment to prevent system clogging or other interferences is the issue that presents the most critical challenges to success, rather than the PFAS removal itself.

Whether considering in-situ groundwater treatment or above-ground treatment, making informed decisions proactively can save time, money, and frustration, rather than resorting to troubleshooting and retrofitting during the full-scale operation. Depending on the objectives, these treatment tests can often be completed in a matter of days, and bench-scale and pilot testing can significantly aid in the decision-making process, system design, and operation.

Langan’s PFAS experts strive to bring clients one step closer to efficiently and effectively achieving project objectives by offering extensive experience with desktop analyses, field sample collection, bench-scale treatability testing*, and field pilot testing for PFAS-impacted media.

Amita Oka, PhD, is an environmental scientist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in remedial technology evaluation, engineering design, and full-scale implementation of physical, chemical, and bioremediation alternatives. Her work also focuses on in-situ treatment, treatability testing, and pilot testing of PFAS-impacted media. Amita is actively involved in Langan’s work at the Langan Treatability Facility at New Jersey Institute of Technology.

_{* Langan conducts its laboratory-based treatability studies through a unique collaborative research alliance with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). This partnership grants Langan access to NJIT’s research laboratories, where we perform hands-on treatability experiments for our clients.}