When PFAS pollution is regularly detected, the deployment of additional treatment resources may be necessary. Activated carbon, ion exchange resins, reverse osmosis… What technologies should your local authority move towards?
This article will help you see more clearly.
You detect micropollutants in abnormal quantities: the different technologies to separate and capture them
The choice of suitable treatment methods depends on several parameters.
The first concerns the chemical nature of the micropollutant to be eliminated. Take PFAS, for example.
There are 2 kinds:
- Long-chain carbon PFAS
- Short-chain PFAS
As small molecules are more difficult to capture, processing methods will differ depending on the type of PFAS detected.
PFAS capture by activated carbon
Treatment with granular activated carbon, powder or micrograins often removes a large proportion of the micropollutants present in the water.
It is the most widely used method for the treatment of micropollutants and also the simplest. It is particularly effective at capturing long-chain PFAS.
Capture using ion exchange resins
Anion exchange technology is also a proven technology.
It works with activated resins to adsorb micropollutants.
As with the activated carbon method, the exchange media must be regenerated or disposed of once saturated.
Membrane separation
Membrane technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) allow PFAS to be concentrated.
They are also proven technologies that are effective in treating the majority of PFAS and micropollutants. Reverse osmosis is used as a last resort, as it is more difficult to set up.
How do you remove separated PFAS from treated water?
However, the separation of micropollutants is only the first step in the decontamination process.
Once the pollutants have been captured, they must be destroyed, by heat treatment, or by other expensive methods (plasma treatment, catalytic electrochemical oxidation, sonolysis, etc.).
This task is usually entrusted to specialized organizations.
Which technologies should we move towards?
As we have said, the choice of technology depends above all on the type of micropollutant identified.
But this is not the only criteria, because each drinking water treatment plant is unique, both in terms of water quality at the input, as well as the volume of water to be produced or the technical configuration.
The financial aspect is also a parameter to be taken into account. While reverse osmosis is very effective, the cost of this technology can be difficult to bear for small communities.
Conversely, when the level of pollution is low or activated carbon treatments are already in place (for example, in rural areas, when pesticide treatment is present), an increase in the dosage of charcoal may sometimes be sufficient.
Therefore, do not hesitate to get support from Saur or to contact your delegate who will be able to guide you towards the right solutions.
You don’t know if your community is affected: don’t wait to have the water you produce tested!
Not sure if your community is affected by PFAS pollution or other types of micropollutants?
In this case, the first step is to have the analyses carried out that will allow us to find out.
And although the new parameters must not be taken into account in the analyses (PFAS, Bisphenol A, Chlorates, Chlorites, Uranium, etc.) before January 2026, it is advisable to do so without delay.
This is because the deployment of new treatment solutions can take time, depending on the type of PFAS detected and the concentration of pollutants detected. However, in the event of non-compliance, the ARS will impose the implementation of binding corrective measures.
In conclusion, the management of PFAS pollution requires an adapted and thoughtful approach, taking into account the chemical nature of the micropollutants and the specificities of each facility. Technologies such as activated carbon, ion exchange resins and reverse osmosis offer effective solutions, although their choice depends on many factors, including financial ones. It is crucial to carry out regular analyses to detect the presence of these substances and anticipate the necessary corrective measures. Don’t wait to take action and make sure you surround yourself with experts to choose the best treatment strategy for your community.