Point‐of‐entry water filter for removal of per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances and precursors

In: AWWA water science, Band 3, Heft 6

Abstract

AbstractTechnologies for per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) removal at a small scale suitable for point‐of‐entry (POE) treatment systems for household or business water supply are not well‐established. In the current study, a POE filter was tested for the removal of PFAS and precursors in groundwater contaminated with aqueous film‐forming foam. Long‐chain PFAS were more effectively removed than short‐chain PFAS. Total oxidizable precursor assays showed that precursors of short‐chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) broke through the filter earlier than routinely measured PFCAs and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids. The dissolved organic carbon removal trend was similar to that of PFAS and precursors. Overall, the POE filter achieved good long‐term removal (up to 7 months household equivalent) of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Australian Drinking Water Guidelines‐regulated PFAS. This study provides benchmark data for the long‐term removal of precursors and PFAS using POE treatment systems for household or business water supply impacted by PFAS‐contaminated water.