The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of removing polyfluoroalkyl substances from reverse osmosis concentrate by coupling adsorption technology with destruction of polyfluoroalkyl…

This Cooperative Agreement award from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation under the SECURE Water Act - Research Agreements program (CFDA 15.560) provides $415,091.10 to the Orange County Water District (OCWD) to evaluate the feasibility of removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from reverse osmosis concentrate. The project will assess the effectiveness of treating reverse osmosis concentrate using adsorbent media like granular activated carbon and ion exchange resins, followed by destruction of the PFAS in the spent media. The goal is to develop a stepwise approach to remove PFAS from reverse osmosis concentrate and then destroy the PFAS, which will broadly benefit the water, wastewater, and recycled water communities, particularly those dealing with PFAS-laden concentrates and exhausted media. This award is part of the Bureau of Reclamation's efforts to fund research and development activities focused on water resource conservation, efficiency improvement, and management enhancement.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of removing polyfluoroalkyl substances from reverse osmosis concentrate by coupling adsorption technology with destruction of polyfluoroalkyl substances from the spent media solid waste. The project will evaluate the effectiveness of treatment of reverse osmosis concentrate by adsorbent media such as granular activated carbon, ION exchange resins and novel alternative adsorbents followed by destruction of the polyfluoroalkyl substances in the spent media via a promising destruction technology. The overall concept is to evaluate whether IT will be feasible to, in a stepwise approach, remove polyfluoroalkyl substances from reverse osmosis concentrate and then destroy the polyfluoroalkyl substances. Proposed project outcomes will broadly benefit the water, wastewater, and recycled water one water community, particularly entities faced with disposal of polyfluoroalkyl substances-laden concentrates and exhausted media.