firefighters spraying flames

PFAS: The Ultimate One Water Contaminant

The Challenge of Forever Chemicals

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of emerging contaminants causing regulatory and public health concerns around the world. Since the 1940s, these compounds have been used for a wide variety of applications, including firefighting and industrial manufacturing. PFAS have been associated with a multitude of toxicological impacts, including developmental and liver toxicity effects.

Due to their persistence in the environment, PFAS are present in the air, groundwater and surface water. Through fate and transport mechanisms, PFAS has been observed in groundwater, drinking water, wastewater, biosolids, landfills, and aquatic and plant life.

As toxic PFAS continue to be identified, there is a growing need for treatment solutions to remove PFAS from sensitive water bodies. We have groundwater investigation and modeling expertise, water treatment capabilities, bench-scale testing capabilities, emerging contaminants knowledge and risk communication practitioners ready to address the challenges of PFAS. Through a multidisciplinary approach and One Water mindset, we aim for holistic solutions with lasting long-term benefits.

Laboratory Services

Meet our leaders

Samantha Black | HDR | speaker
Water/Wastewater Engineer
Sheryl Chino
Funding Lead
Chad Corey
Senior Water Treatment Engineer
Kate Garufi
Federal Resources Market Director
& Remediation Senior Program Manager
Teigan Gulliver
Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
Pierre Kwan
Water Treatment Technical Director
Chance Lauderdale
Drinking Water Director
John Schubert | Industrial Process Technology Lead
Industrial Process Technology Lead
Amy Shahar
Water Strategic Communications Director
Andy Thuman
Water Quality Fate and Transport Modeler
Katie Walker
Drinking Water Lead
Gwen Woods-Chabane
Water Quality Laboratory Services Lead

Related Projects

Find Out More

Stay up-to-date on the latest planning, design trends and innovations in the water industry.