How Can Plants Help Manage PFAS Chemicals?

If you’re looking for a sustainable, ecological, and cost-friendly solution to manage PFAS in stormwater and wastewater, phytotechnology might be an option.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a family of chemicals that can pose a threat to human health. They are highly regulated in stormwater permits with limits in parts per trillion in some states.

Phytotechnology is using plants – in partnership with technology – to process chemicals. In this blog, we’ll look at how you can use phytotechnology in storm and wastewater treatment systems to manage PFAS.

How does it work?

When plants capture pollutants through adsorption, filtration, plant uptake, and the decomposition of organic matter, stormwater treatment facilities have fewer contaminants to process on their end. Using natural processes such as phytotechnology can provide cost reductions, habitat restoration, and help you meet current Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) requirements.

PFAS sources have been linked to current and closed facilities. This means that, while you may not have contributed to the PFAS in your water, it is your responsibility to manage and remediate.

How do we start?

How do we use phytotechnology for your PFAS impacted stormwater? We start by utilizing plants for green stormwater management. This method treats storm and wastewater runoff in a way that mimics nature, most commonly by decreasing the amount of water reaching a waterway. The design starts by grading, or adding a slope, to land surrounding a retention pond so excess water flows to a singular point. The retention pond then consists of a wetland or equivalent natural system where plants can begin the process of absorbing and processing PFAS in the water.

On the other side of the retention pond will be an outfall, where clean water can flow out of the system and back into nature. These types of systems allow plants to intake water while providing habitats, enhancing aesthetics, and lowering maintenance costs. Finally, we send the additional water runoff to a storage basin where treatment technology can then be used.

The benefits of using phytotechnology are extensive:

• Reduction of buildup in dry periods followed by runoff during storms
• Erosion control
• Visual community improvements
• Potential preference from state and local agencies
• Adding carbon capture credits to your company portfolio

As a result of potential benefits, there are a growing number of phytotechnology studies by groups like Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. Their work centers on the use of plants for treating chemicals like metals in organic sites, pH sites, airports, and military bases. For PFAS, cattails, switchgrass, and phragmites are all ideal plant species.

With the growing concern about PFAS in waterbodies, it’s important for companies to plan their systems with care. While using green stormwater management alone is not a catch-all for PFAS contaminants, it is a step in the right direction when partnered with technical processes.

Interested in learning more about phytotechnology? To discuss systems for PFAS management, please contact me.