PFAS contamination in wastewater and recycling systems

Reports indicate the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as ‘forever chemicals’, in various water systems. In the United States, experts have warned that car wash wastewater may contain these synthetic compounds, which originate from cleaning products or vehicle components and are resistant to conventional treatment.

Research highlights that these substances, found in detergents, waxes, and polishes, do not degrade naturally and can persist in soil and groundwater for decades. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies car washes as commercial activities that can release these chemicals into sewage systems. Health concerns linked to prolonged exposure include kidney and testicular cancer, hormonal alterations, liver damage, and fertility problems. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 97% of analyzed Americans had traces of PFAS in their blood.

In the United Kingdom, pilot tests for a Thames Water recycling scheme revealed that levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (Pfos), a suspected carcinogen, rose to 13 times the legal limit. The project, designed to combat drought by pumping treated sewage from the Mogden treatment plant into the River Thames at Teddington, faces challenges as the recycling system significantly increases PFAS concentrations. Technical notes suggest the scale of sewage input may make it difficult for the water to meet current legal standards for pesticides and forever chemicals, as standard wastewater treatment plants are not currently designed to filter or destroy them.