Waterleau has developed a portfolio of proven technologies to remove PFAS from water, focusing on three primary treatment methods: Ion Exchange resins (IEX), Activated Carbon Filtration (ACF), and Reverse Osmosis/Nanofiltration (RO/NF) membrane separation. Each of these plays a key role in capturing or separating PFAS, and they can be deployed standalone or in combination as a multi-barrier treatment train.

Ion Exchange (IEX) Resins

• Highly selective for PFAS, including short-chain species.
• Fast kinetics and high capacity; compact skid or container design.
• Can be single-use or regenerable.
• Spent resins are safely handled (regeneration or incineration).

Activated Carbon Filtration (ACF)

• A proven, economical workhorse for long-chain PFAS and organic pollutants.
• Granular or powdered carbon options, with the possibility of reactivation.
• Ideal as a bulk removal stage, though less effective on short-chain PFAS.

Reverse Osmosis / Nanofiltration (RO/NF)

• Physical barrier removing >99% of all PFAS, even the shortest chains.
• Effective for mixed contamination (PFAS + salts, metals, COD).
• Higher energy use and a PFAS-rich reject stream to manage.

By tailoring the right combination of IEX, ACF, and RO/NF – often using two or more in series – we deliver a treatment train optimized for the specific PFAS profile (chain lengths, concentrations) and the water matrix of each client. Our multi-technology approach, integrating the best of existing and emerging techniques, is a key differentiator that ensures both efficient PFAS removal and cost-effectiveness for each unique situation.

Pre-treatment is key!

Importantly, we design every system with proper pretreatment upfront – such as Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF), Ultrafiltration (UF), or sand filtration – to remove solids, oils, and other fouling materials that could impede PFAS removal downstream. This protects the PFAS removal media from clogging or interference, maximizing performance and minimizing operating costs over the system’s life.

One of Waterleau’s greatest strengths is our ability to rapidly test and validate PFAS treatment strategies before full-scale implementation. We understand that choosing the right solution for PFAS – with its complex chemistry and high stakes – can be challenging. That’s why we offer a suite of testing services and pilot units to de-risk decisions and optimize designs:

1. In-House R&D Laboratory

Our water R&D lab conducts bench-scale batch tests and rapid small-column adsorption tests using actual client water samples. This allows us to quickly screen various adsorbents (activated carbons, different ion exchange resins) and even membrane filters against the specific PFAS compounds present.

Within weeks, we can gauge which media or process is most effective and estimate loading rates, breakthrough capacity, etc. These lab insights feed into a robust design and save time and cost by narrowing down viable options early.

2. Mobile PFAS Test Bench (Pilot Container)

For a comprehensive on-site evaluation, Waterleau has developed the PFAS Test-Bench, an innovative 40-foot containerized pilot plant. This “smart box” is equipped with 9 different PFAS treatment technologies (adsorption, membrane, fractionation, etc.) that can be configured into up to 24 distinct process combinations. The Test Bench is essentially a mini water treatment plant on wheels –deployable to any site for live testing under real conditions. We use it to compare multiple approaches side-by-side on the client’s actual water, collecting performance data and operational parameters for each.

In as little as 2–3 months, a full assessment can be completed, yielding hard data on removal efficiencies and even allowing a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis for each candidate solution. The PFAS Test Bench accelerates innovation and de-risks full-scale implementation, ensuring the chosen solution is both effective and cost-optimal for the specific PFAS contamination scenario.

3. On-Site Pilot Columns and Units

In addition to the large Test Bench, Waterleau offers smaller mobile on-site pilot installations for targeted testing. For example, we can deploy skid-mounted adsorption column pilots (using GAC or ion exchange resin) on a representative slipstream of the client’s water system. These pilots operate at continuous flow, allowing us to monitor real-time PFAS breakthrough, throughput volume to exhaustion, and other performance metrics under normal operating conditions.

The advantage is a cost-efficient trial that uses actual water (for realistic results) and can run for a few months to observe longer-term effects. Such pilots provide granular design data (e.g. bed life, regeneration frequency) and build client confidence with a tangible demonstration.

We also conduct on-site membrane pilot tests (RO/NF) when needed, evaluating flux, rejection rates for various PFAS, and fouling tendencies with the specific water matrix.

Fast solutions for de-risking PFAS treatment investments

Together, these testing capabilities – lab scale, pilot scale, and the all-in-one PFAS Test Bench – give Waterleau an unparalleled ability to validate solutions quickly and tailor them to each client’s needs. We de-risk projects by ensuring the PFAS treatment will perform as expected before large investments are made, delivering peace of mind along with technical excellence.