Addressing Water Treatment Challenges: Technology Access Limitations By Small, Rural Water Utilities
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“Emerging Contaminants" can be broadly defined as any synthetic or naturally occurring chemical that is not commonly monitored in the environment.
Birchtech’s division, WE2C Environmental, is dedicated to creating cost-effective solutions for removing "forever chemicals" (PFAS) that help utilities manage compliance costs without burdening consumers. Our mission is clear: to bring the same advancements to water that we’ve already achieved in air. We believe that water free from harmful chemicals should be accessible and affordable—an essential right, not a privilege.
The Challenges Water Utilities Face
Water utilities across the U.S. are under increasing pressure to comply with new regulations around “forever chemicals” (PFAS), and the cost for EPA’s PFAS reduction is expected to cost utilities more than $47 billion in the coming years. However, the cost of compliance is only part of the problem. Utilities face additional concerns in two main areas:
1) Supply Shortages and Rising Costs of Virgin Activated Carbon: Granular activated carbon (GAC), recognized as the “Best Available Technology” (BAT) for contaminant removal, has seen price increases of over 50% in the past 12-18 months due to rising raw material costs and industry demand. These spikes could eventually impact consumers as utilities manage increased costs to maintain compliance.
2) Disposal Challenges: After GAC is used to remove contaminants, the spent carbon is often discarded, creating additional costs and environmental concerns. The USGS (United States Geological Survey) has recently reported growing concerns of PFAS in groundwater. With rising costs associated with disposal and the growing challenge of safely managing PFAS-laden waste, utilities are looking for more efficient and cost-effective ways to handle disposal.
The Impact on Consumers
As utilities face higher compliance and disposal costs, there’s a potential for these increases to impact consumers over time. We’re dedicated to providing innovative solutions that help utilities manage these costs efficiently, aiming to keep clean drinking water as accessible as possible.
Birchtech’s Solution: WE2C Environmental’s Forward-Looking Technologies
To support water utilities, WE2C Environmental offers sustainable, agile, and customizable technologies that address each utility’s unique needs.
1) Customizable Technologies: Through two new labs, WE2C Environmental provides flexible solutions to meet each utility’s specific requirements.
2) Consultative Approach: Our specialized analysis and hands-on approach help utilities maximize performance and reduce PFAS removal costs. These labs offer real-time testing to support data-driven decisions and rapid response.
With a secured agreement to produce a 2,000-ton feedstock supply, WE2C will be positioned to meet increasing demand in the water treatment industry with competitive, cost-effective solutions. Our holistic business model, backed by our labs and data-based analysis, empowers utilities to achieve regulatory compliance more affordably.
The Future of PFAS Removal
Birchtech is committed to innovation in PFAS removal. Our lab design centre will focus on both reactivated carbon performance and the development of superior technology solutions. These efforts will help utilities achieve compliance at a lower cost, making clean water more accessible for all.
Why WE2C? Proven Leadership and Disruptive R&D
1) Experienced Team: 130 years of combined expertise in activated carbon and technology development.
2) Innovative Solutions: Expertise in activated carbon for meaningful environmental impact.
3) Commitment to Affordability: Dedicated to making clean technology accessible and affordable.
4) Values-Driven: Built on fairness and transparency across all business activities.
Birchtech and WE2C Environmental are poised to transform water treatment, following the same impactful path we carved out for air quality.
For more information on the dangers of Forever Chemicals: https://www.epa.gov/pfas/increasing-our-understanding-health-risks-pfas-and-how-address-them
For up-to-date info on our efforts: https://ir.birchtech.com/news-events/press-releases
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Thermal reactivation of spent granular activated carbon (GAC) is a sustainable and cost-effective method for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from potable water. However, understanding the impact of pore size distribution on adsorption is crucial for water utilities aiming to optimize PFAS removal. GAC consists of millions of pores classified as micropores, mesopores, and macropores, with micro- and mesopores being the most effective for PFAS adsorption. Thermal reactivation can alter pore size distribution by widening micropores, which may enhance the adsorption of natural organic matter (NOM) but could also negatively affect PFAS removal efficiency. Additionally, repeated reactivation cycles may further change pore structure, making lab- and pilot-scale testing essential.
Another key consideration is calcium catalysis, an often-overlooked factor in thermal reactivation. Calcium, which naturally accumulates in GAC during water treatment, can accelerate the transfer of oxygen during reactivation, leading to an unwanted "drilling effect" that widens pores. While this is less of a concern for short service durations, prolonged use and multiple reactivations can lead to significant pore alterations, potentially reducing PFAS adsorption capacity.
To maximize efficiency, water utilities should evaluate calcium levels in raw water and assess GAC performance through rapid small-scale column testing (RSSCTs). Consulting experts in thermal reactivation and water quality can help utilities optimize GAC reuse, ensuring cost savings and regulatory compliance while minimizing environmental impact.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) has long been a cornerstone of municipal water treatment, particularly in removing harmful PFAS contaminants. However, with new EPA regulations setting PFAS limits in the low parts per trillion (ppt), GAC usage is surging, leading to increased operational costs and supply chain strain. A promising solution to these challenges is thermal reactivation of "spent" GAC, which can significantly cut costs, alleviate supply issues, and reduce environmental impact by minimizing landfill waste and lowering the demand for virgin GAC production.
Reactivated GAC offers utilities potential cost savings of up to 50% compared to new GAC, which now approaches $2.00 per pound. Despite these benefits, ensuring the reactivated product performs as effectively as virgin GAC is crucial. This is where Rapid Small-Scale Column Testing (RSSCT) plays a vital role. RSSCT provides quick and reliable data on the performance of reactivated GAC, allowing utilities to determine the optimal blend of reactivated and virgin GAC for maximum efficiency at minimal cost. Unlike full-scale testing, which can take months, RSSCT delivers results within days, making it a practical tool for optimizing water treatment systems.
By leveraging RSSCT, utilities can fine-tune their GAC strategies, maintain consistent contaminant removal, and achieve significant cost reductions. This approach ensures sustainable water treatment while addressing the increasing demand for PFAS removal in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
Granular activated carbon (GAC) has long been a cornerstone of municipal water treatment, particularly in removing harmful PFAS contaminants. However, with new EPA regulations setting PFAS limits in the low parts per trillion (ppt), GAC usage is surging, leading to increased operational costs and supply chain strain. A promising solution to these challenges is thermal reactivation of "spent" GAC, which can significantly cut costs, alleviate supply issues, and reduce environmental impact by minimizing landfill waste and lowering the demand for virgin GAC production.
Reactivated GAC offers utilities potential cost savings of up to 50% compared to new GAC, which now approaches $2.00 per pound. Despite these benefits, ensuring the reactivated product performs as effectively as virgin GAC is crucial. This is where Rapid Small-Scale Column Testing (RSSCT) plays a vital role. RSSCT provides quick and reliable data on the performance of reactivated GAC, allowing utilities to determine the optimal blend of reactivated and virgin GAC for maximum efficiency at minimal cost. Unlike full-scale testing, which can take months, RSSCT delivers results within days, making it a practical tool for optimizing water treatment systems.
By leveraging RSSCT, utilities can fine-tune their GAC strategies, maintain consistent contaminant removal, and achieve significant cost reductions. This approach ensures sustainable water treatment while addressing the increasing demand for PFAS removal in a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape.
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