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Treatment Technologies Workgroup

Filters delivered to Robinson Elementary School near Grand Haven on a trailer

Treatment Technologies Workgroup

Mission

 

Continue to track new and existing treatment technologies that may be applicable to dealing with Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and share data and information among State of Michigan (SoM) members.

 

Contact

Nicole Sanabria

Department Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

Nick Swiger

Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

Recent Accomplishments

  • The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will be hosting a second virtual Great Lakes PFAS Summit December 7 - 10, 2021. Topics will include national and international regulations, health and community involvement, site investigation, treatment technology, and materials management and pollution prevention. The call for abstracts closed on June 27, 2021.

Next Steps

  • Review abstracts submitted for the 2021 Great Lakes PFAS Summit.
  • Continue evaluating Vendor Documentation Forms submitted to the SoM.
  • Continue collaboration with the Treatment Technology Roundtable, all state agencies, and the US EPA, to share new research and data related to treatment options for PFAS contamination.
  • Provide recommendations to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on proposed treatment to be implemented for PFAS contamination at sites across the state.
  • Continue collaboration and information sharing with EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) on treatment technology for PFAS destruction.

Reports

  • No reports are available at this time.

Research/Studies

The MPART Treatment Technology Workgroup is working with EGLE to provide recommendations for sites looking to implement a treatment for PFAS contamination. There are several potential pilot studies in development involving new technologies for PFAS remediation to be implemented at sites across the state.  Available details of those pilot studies are below:

Plainfield Township received a grant to pilot various granular activated carbon (GAC) media products and configurations in their existing filter beds to evaluate PFAS removal, impact on primary treatment objectives, and operating limitations. GAC was installed in some of the filters beginning June of 2018, and quarterly reports were submitted to evaluate GAC efficacy for PFAS removal, impacts on turbidity removal, operational impacts such as backwashing, chlorine residual, head loss, and total organic carbon (TOC). The pilot study has concluded with a final report dated December 31, 2019.     

There are many remaining questions left to answer in treating PFAS contamination at sites:

  • Which technologies could potentially destroy PFAS compounds?
  • At which temperatures can incineration effectively destroy PFAS compounds?
  • What is the best option for disposal of filters that capture PFAS compounds, but do not destroy them?
  • How can we test for PFAS in the air, to ensure none of these technologies are releasing PFAS into the air?
  • Can microbes be utilized to break down PFAS, and what are the by-products?

Timeline of Accomplishments

  • November 18, 2020: EGLE participated in a call with the US EPA ORD to continue collaborative efforts to treat PFAS and share new information
  • October 27, 2020: Workgroup hosted Discussion Session at Great Lakes PFAS Summit
  • October 1, 2020: SoM Treatment Technology Workgroup Meeting
  • August 26, 2020: EGLE participated in a call with the US EPA ORD to continue collaborative efforts to find solutions to treating PFAS and share new information
  • July 16, 2020: The conference planning committee began transition to host PFAS Summit virtually, rather than in-person due to COVID-19
  • May 28, 2020: EGLE participated in a call with EPA ORD to discuss collaborative efforts to find solutions to treating PFAS
  • April 17, 2020: The conference planning committee submitted their reviews of the abstracts submitted for the Great Lakes PFAS Summit
  • March 23, 2020: EGLE participated in a call with the US EPA to discuss collaborative efforts to address unanswered questions and challenges related to treating PFAS
  • March 18, 2020: The conference planning committee met to discuss a plan for abstract review
  • February 26, 2020: SoM Treatment Technology Workgroup Meeting
  • February 23, 2020: Call for abstracts closed for the 2020 Great Lakes PFAS Summit - 160 abstracts were received
  • October 18, 2019: Treatment Technology Roundtable meeting
  • August 14, 2019: Treatment Technology Roundtable meeting
  • June 28, 2019: Treatment Technology Roundtable webinar meeting
  • May 10, 2019: First Treatment Technology Roundtable meeting
  • Developed a Treatment Technology Roundtable by inviting scientists/engineers working in the field to coordinate treatment technology needs, share ideas, research, and treatment successes.  Several meetings were held between May and October of 2019.
  • Developed a Vendor Documentation Form to track all treatment technology information submitted by vendors and researchers to the SoM.  This was done to organize and understand the multitude of vendor contacts and products being proposed to the SoM.  The goal is to create a list of potential vendors and resources, organized by treatment type, providing easy access for people working on PFAS remediation and treatment, and to aid potential research.
  • Participated in a conference call with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), to continue collaboration on research toward PFAS destruction and treatment.
  • The Treatment Technology Workgroup met on October 1, 2020 to discuss PFAS Summit and next steps forward for the 2021 fiscal year.
  • Lead planning efforts for the 2020 Great Lakes PFAS Summit that occurred October 26-30. The conference covered a wide range of PFAS topics directed toward scientists, industry, and government agencies. Over 1,500 people participated in the conference, representing 36 states and 4 countries.
  • January 2021: EGLE partnered with the U.S. EPA, U.S. Department of Defense's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP); the Environmental Council of States (ECOS) and the Environmental Research Institute of the States (ERIS); and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment to co-sponsor the Innovative Ways to Destroy PFAS Challenge. The Treatment Technology Workgroup assisted in reviewing technologies submitted for the challenge.
  • February 25, 2021: EGLE participated in a quarterly call with the US EPA ORD to continue collaborative efforts to treat PFAS
  • May 26, 2021: EGLE participated in a quarterly call with the US EPA ORD to continue collaborative efforts to treat PFAS