Interest in per- and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances in drinking water has skyrocketed as the public becomes more aware of their harmful, lasting health effects. Also known as “forever chemicals,” studies have shown links between PFAS and liver damage, thyroid disease, immune system changes, developmental effects or delays in infants and children, higher rates of certain cancers and increased cholesterol levels. Media coverage has been extensive, from local news stations across the country to major national publications such as USA Today, Bloomberg Law, Associated Press, Vox, NBC News, ABC News, MSN, Washington Examiner and many others.
In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took initial steps to address this issue by announcing the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS substances, known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs.) While the EPA has allowed three years for water districts to conduct testing and an additional two years to complete remediation efforts if PFAS is found, the shouts from the public are already loud and will only continue to grow. Property managers of large, multi-residential buildings should consider how the public outcry can influence their property’s standing with potential and existing residents now.
What Can Property Managers Do?
Building owners or property managers can test their building’s drinking water for PFAS and install whole-building treatment systems. Proactively addressing PFAS before national law requirements go into effect can enhance the property’s reputation as health-conscious, socially responsible and environmentally friendly. Management’s willingness to address PFAS can even be a deciding factor when potential residents evaluate residential complexes that may otherwise be similar.
Common Methods for Filtering PFAS
Effective filtration is critical for mitigating PFAS contamination in drinking water. Let’s take a look at the various filtering methods property managers can use as well as the pros and cons of each.
Activated Carbon Filtration
Activated carbon filters are effective in removing chlorine, chloramines, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other contaminants that affect water taste and odor. In certain instances, carbon filtration can also be a key treatment method for the reduction of PFAS.
Pros:
– Effectiveness: Activated carbon is highly effective at removing long-chain PFAS compounds.
– Availability: Widely available and used in many types of water filtration systems.
– Cost: Generally affordable compared to other advanced filtration methods.
– Disposal: Can be regenerated and reused, reducing long-term costs and eliminating disposal.
Cons:
– Short-Chain PFAS: Less effective at removing short-chain PFAS compounds.
– Empty Bed Contact Time (EBCT): Requires longer contact time with the water to be treated resulting in larger footprint compared to ion exchange resin
– Maintenance: Requires regular replacement to maintain effectiveness.
– Limited Capacity: Can become saturated with contaminants, reducing treatment efficiency over time.
Ion Exchange Treatment
Ion exchange filters are effective in removing PFAS from drinking water. The benefit of ion exchange resin for PFAS treatment is the smaller footprint required compared to activated carbon filtration.
Pros:
– High Efficiency: Capable of removing both long- and short-chain PFAS compounds.
– Empty Bed Contact Time (EBCT): Shorter contact time with the water to be treated compared to activated carbon
– Foot Print: Smaller footprint required compared to activated carbon
Cons:
– Initial Cost: Potential for higher initial investment compared to activated carbon.
– Disposal: Cannot be regenerated, and will likely require special disposal considerations including incineration
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved solids, heavy metals and other impurities at the molecular level, providing highly purified water.
Pros:
– Comprehensive Removal: Effective against a wide range of contaminants, including all PFAS compounds.
– High Efficiency: Capable of removing over 99% of PFAS.
Cons:
– Cost: Expensive installation and maintenance.
– Waste Stream: Produces a significant amount of wastewater. A rule-of-thumb is 30% of the volume treated will be wasted.
– Disposal: Wastewater consists of concentrated PFAS compounds requiring management and/or disposal
– Maintenance: Membrane requires regular replacement and system maintenance.
Nanofiltration
Nanofiltration is similar to reverse osmosis, but uses membranes with slightly larger pores. It effectively removes PFAS while allowing beneficial minerals to remain in the water.
Pros:
– Effectiveness: Removes a high percentage of PFAS.
– Mineral Retention: Retains essential minerals in drinking water.
– Energy Efficiency: Generally requires less energy than reverse osmosis.
Cons:
– Cost: Still relatively expensive compared to more basic methods.
– Maintenance: Membranes need periodic replacement and care.
– Selectivity: May not remove all contaminants as effectively as reverse osmosis.
Whole Building Water Treatment Installation
Water is a fundamental necessity for any building, be it residential, commercial or industrial. Ensuring the water quality is safe and suitable for all intended uses – drinking, bathing, cooking, cleaning, or manufacturing – is crucial. Whole building water treatment installation addresses this need by providing a comprehensive system that purifies and conditions the water supply for an entire building.
Whole building water treatment systems are designed to treat all the water entering a building, providing a centralized solution to address water quality issues. These systems typically include a combination of filtration and purification technologies to remove contaminants, improve water taste and odor, and ensure compliance with health standards. Key components of a whole building water treatment system may include:
– Pre-Filtration: The initial stage involves removing larger particles such as sand, silt, and sediment from the water. Pre-filters protect subsequent treatment stages from clogging and reduce the load on them.
– Filtration: Using one of the methods discussed above.
– Post-Filtration: The final stage may include additional polishing filters to remove any remaining fine particles or impurities, ensuring the highest water quality.
The benefits of whole building water treatment are improved water quality and health benefits. Comprehensive treatment systems ensure that all water entering the building is clean, safe and free from harmful contaminants. By removing harmful chemicals, these systems protect the health of building occupants.
Considerations for installation include water quality assessment, system sizing, professional installation, maintenance requirements and compliance with regulations. Investing in a whole building water treatment system is a proactive step toward ensuring high-quality water for all uses within a building. By addressing water quality issues comprehensively, these systems provide numerous benefits including environmental sustainability. Proper assessment, sizing and professional installation are key to maximizing the benefits of these systems, making them a valuable addition to any building.
How RK Water Can Help
Effective testing, treatment and monitoring are critical, yet as you’ve seen, there are so many options! Which filtering method you need can differ between buildings or complexes depending on the types of PFAS that are present, maintenance considerations, and more. Luckily, you have a friend in the business who can support you through the entire process. RK Water can:
– Perform initial PFAS sampling and testing.
– Identify and evaluate the PFAS compounds requiring treatment and identify the appropriate treatment method.
– Evaluate site-specific conditions, sustainability of the treatment method and cost-effectiveness of viable treatment options.
– Perform CAPEX vs. OPEX evaluation of competing treatment options.
– Design, procure and install temporary or long-term treatment system equipment.
– Operate and maintain treatment systems.
– Provide compliance testing and reporting.
– Handle media change-outs and disposal management.
Are you ready to leverage a significant differentiator to help market your property and be at the forefront of enhancing public safety? Contact RK Water today!