The Bucks County Water and Sewer Department announced that it has successfully removed PFAS, known as forever chemicals, from drinking water using an innovative treatment technology. The new treatment system was recently piloted at two water plants where PFAS levels were just above Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulations.
BCWSA has partnered with Texas-based TruClear Water Solutions Inc., a leading service provider that uses non-chemical technologies to purify water, to operate the company’s Advanced Molecular Oxidation System. Using electricity to create a chemical reaction, the patented system completely destroys PFAS chemicals and does not produce any contaminants that must be disposed of after treatment.
To date, no other water utility anywhere in the world has installed this system and received approval to treat PFAS. BCWSA is currently seeking PA DEP approval to permanently deploy this technology. If approved, BCWSA would be the first utility to operate the technology to remove PFAS from drinking water.
“We are committed to making ‘forever chemicals’ permanent,” said BCWSA Board President John Cordisco. “We are committed to investing in this technology to eliminate potentially harmful chemicals from Bucks County residents’ drinking water. This is a remarkable moment for the County to be a leader in addressing an issue that impacts communities around the world.”
“We have spent the past two years exploring innovative systems that can reduce and remove PFAS, and we believe TruClear offers a solution that is unmatched in the industry.”
The testing was conducted at BCWSA’s Solebury and New Hope water systems. Independent laboratory results show the technology achieved greater than 90% reduction in PFAS chemicals, and in some cases close to 100% reduction. Test results will be sent to DEP for review and approval of the installation of a permanent system, which will be managed and operated by TruClear Solutions with a local workforce.
TruClear Solutions deployed its AMO technology in the oil and gas industry in 2018. Since then, the company has used the system to treat water in a variety of industries. Last year, the company recognized the need for the technology in drinking water treatment and began partnering with BCWSA to reach out to industry players.
“Our mission is to treat water without the use of chemicals or heat, minimizing waste discharged into the environment,” said John Ayers, president and CEO of TruClear Solutions. “We provide a ‘green solution’ and a purer end product while reducing processing and transportation costs.”
“BCWSA has conducted its research and due diligence, and the independent lab results give us confidence that our system is reliable, effective, and ensures compliance that exceeds federal and state regulations.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set health advisory levels for PFAS in drinking water, including PFOA and PFOS. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has set its own regulatory levels that are stricter than many other states and may lower the limits further.
“We know municipal and private water systems across Pennsylvania are monitoring the progress of DEP permitting,” Cordisco said, “and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this issue and leading the industry.”
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