Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substance removal in carbon‐based advanced treatment for potable reuse

Abstract

The persistence of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in wastewater effluent highlights the need for active monitoring and targeted removal of these compounds in potable reuse applications. The City of Altamonte Springs' permanent potable reuse demonstration facility, pureALTA, employs a carbon-based advanced treatment process using multiple treatment barriers to provide potable water that meets state and federal regulatory requirements and health guidelines for unregulated contaminants. The combination of ozonation, biological activated carbon filtration (BAC), ultrafiltration (UF), granular activated carbon adsorption (GAC), and UV advanced oxidation process (UV AOP) showed complete removal of long-

Per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances removal in multi‐barrier advanced water purification system for indirect potable reuse

“…Long‐chain PFOA exhibited increases of 9%. Similar results were observed by Kumar et al (2021). This occurred despite these compounds not being detected in the samples from the upstream treatment stage.…”

PFAS are forever? The state of the science and research needs for analyzing and treating PFAS‐laden water

“…Wastewaters can be challenging to treat and present possible health effects when considering reuse applications. Kumar et al (2021) present data from the City of Altamonte Springs' potable reuse demonstration facility. The combination of ozonation, biological activated carbon filtration, ultrafiltration, GAC adsorption, and UV advanced oxidation shows the removal of long‐chain PFAS (greater than five carbons for PFSA and greater than six carbons for PFCA) when the GAC adsorbers were operated to the point that would keep effluent TOC levels to below 3 mg/L, which is the regulatory limit in Florida for indirect potable reuse.…”