Guide to Addressing PFAS in Water
What to do when PFAS shows up at your facility or construction site.
Global Environmental's practical guide helps industrial facility managers and construction contractors understand what PFAS detection means for their project and what to do next.
Learn how to evaluate your discharge obligations, select the right treatment approach, and move forward with confidence. In most cases, with the right strategy in place, projects proceed without significant disruption.
Learn how to evaluate your discharge obligations, select the right treatment approach, and move forward with confidence. In most cases, with the right strategy in place, projects proceed without significant disruption.
PFAS Contamination & Compliance
Industrial facilities and construction sites across Michigan and the Midwest are encountering PFAS more than ever before.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are appearing in environmental investigations, redevelopment projects, and facility compliance reviews with increasing frequency. As regulatory standards continue to evolve and laboratory detection limits become more refined, sites that once appeared at low risk are now generating new data and new questions. When PFAS appears in a lab report, concerns about liability, cost, and schedule surface quickly. What does this mean for the project? Will construction stop? Is cleanup inevitable? The reality is often more measured than the initial response suggests.
Download Guide
Download Guide
Understanding Your Situation
The presence of PFAS does not determine the response.
The regulatory trigger for PFAS typically relates to water discharge and permit compliance, not detection alone. Before assuming the worst, gather the essential facts.
Is contaminated water actively being pumped or discharged?
Are detected PFAS levels above applicable discharge criteria — EGLE, NPDES, or local sewer limits?
Has a regulatory agency issued formal direction?
PFAS Treatment Solutions
When treatment is required, the objective is straightforward.
Control the water. Maintain compliance. Keep the project moving. The right treatment system, matched to your site's flow rate, contaminant levels, and discharge requirements, makes this achievable.
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): The most widely used method for PFAS reduction. It's adaptable and scalable for most construction and industrial discharge scenarios.
Ion Exchange Resin: Used when higher removal efficiency or more stringent discharge limits are required; preferred for extended-duration operations.
Specialty Media: Additional media can be incorporated based on site-specific water chemistry and contaminant profiles.
Flexible Deployment: Systems are available as trailer-mounted units for rapid mobilization, skid-mounted units for tight work areas, or long-term configurations for ongoing facility operations.
Common PFAS Scenarios
PFAS shows up differently depending on where you are in the project.
Whether PFAS is discovered during due diligence, encountered during active excavation, or flagged through a regulatory notice, the path forward depends on your specific situation.
During Property Transfer or Redevelopment
PFAS may be identified during due diligence sampling. Primary concerns include liability and whether discharge must be controlled. When treatment is feasible, projects proceed with a defined strategy.
During Construction Dewatering
PFAS has been detected in groundwater pumped for excavation or foundation work. Mobile treatment systems can be deployed quickly, allowing dewatering to continue while meeting discharge limits. Early coordination reduces the risk of delay.
Following Regulatory Notification
A facility receives notice of PFAS exceedances. Regulators seek documented action and responsible management. A defined treatment plan provides both clarity and control.
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PFAS does not have to stall progress.
With a defined treatment strategy in place, it can be addressed responsibly and with confidence. Ready to discuss your situation with a qualified environmental professional? Our process starts with a free consult and site visit to understand the specific needs of your unique project.
