12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Eastern
MABF Webinar - September 24, 2026, 12 - 1:30 pm ET
Summary: This webinar highlights research focused on practical approaches for managing PFAS in water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs), with a particular emphasis on the role that existing treatment processes can play in PFAS reduction. Attendees will gain insights into PFAS fate and transport through WRRF process trains, findings from bench-, pilot-, and full-scale studies, and the potential to leverage existing infrastructure to reduce PFAS concentrations in biosolids and facility effluent. The session will also highlight innovative technologies, including foam fractionation and sidestream treatment strategies, and provide practical lessons for full-scale implementation.
COST:
Member: $25
Nonmember: $50
Moderator: Lynne H. Moss, P.E., BCEE, Black & Veatch
Presentation 1: WRF 5337 - Breaking the Forever PFAS Cycle: Recycle Stream Treatment to Reduce PFAS Loading to WRRFs
Summary: This presentation provides an overview of WRF Project 5337, which is evaluating PFAS treatment of solids handling recycle streams as a cost-effective alternative to full-flow treatment, and shares preliminary project findings. Early results suggest that sidestreams may represent a larger portion of WRRF PFAS loads than previously recognized, highlighting the potential to meaningfully reduce PFAS concentrations in biosolids and WRRF effluent through targeted sidestream treatment.
Speaker: Dr. Malcolm Taylor, Principal Environmental Engineer, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission
Presentation 2: PFAS Management at Water Resource Recovery Facilities leveraging existing and novel processes.
Summary: The presentation will discuss the results of several studies that evaluated PFAS fate and transport through existing processes at Water Resource Recovery Facilities, and how novel technologies can be applied for PFAS treatment. These studies focused on utilizing processes already in operation at full scale that separate and concentrate PFAS from the main liquid stream of the Facility. One project developed bench and pilot scale testing of a foam collection system on top of an existing aeration tank. Another included several rounds of sampling and bench scale testing to evaluate the efficacy of treating centrate using several novel strategies. A third study will discuss the results of a pilot study treating a combined dewatering filtrate, DAF thickening underflow and incinerator scrubber water through a foam fractionation system. The results of all three studies will be summarized into practical lessons learned and applicability to full scale implementation.
Speaker: Eric Spargimino, Wastewater PFAS Strategy Leader, CDM Smith
Presentation 3: Can drying reduce the measurable PFAS concentrations in biosolids?
Summary: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids have become a major issue for the water reclamation industry. This issue has generated more interest in thermal processes including pyrolysis and gasification. Drying is required prior to pyrolysis and gasification. This presentation will report on findings from the Water Research Foundation (WRF) Project 5211 “Understanding the Value Proposition for Thermal Processes to Mitigate PFAS in Biosolids”. Surprisingly, lab-scale drying experiments revealed that PFAS concentrations were reduced during drying. A sampling campaign at a full-scale dryer confirmed that PFAS were removed during drying. Follow-up experiments indicated that a portion of PFAS were removed during drying with the evaporated water.
Speaker: Patrick McNamara, PFAS & Residuals Research Leader – Black & Veatch; Professor in Environmental Engineering – Marquette University
(phone: 8459017905)
| 9/24/2026 |    |
