PFAS Management, Investigation, and Treatment Services

Our team of professionals have been addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) impacts since the days when this class of contaminants was still unknown to many. Today, we continue to lead the way with practical, innovative approaches and advanced destructive remediation technologies to help clients overcome the challenges posed by PFAS.

Global network Our expertise Projects PFAS solutions Applied R&D Insights

Extensive experience in all market sectors and a globally connected team

With our team of experts, you get a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in addressing PFAS challenges across a range of industries, including Government, Aviation, Automotive and textile, Manufacturing, Waste Management, Utilities, Power Generation, Oil and Gas, and Mining, as well as sites that have experienced fires.

We have also supported water companies in protecting their water resources through updating their catchment risk assessments and responding to the challenging and rapidly evolving requirements for a risk-based approach to PFAS.

Our global PFAS Practice Area Network is a premier resource for PFAS-related challenges and consists of over 700 subject matter experts from around the world. This network is the foundation for collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of best practices and the latest developments in the scientific and regulatory landscape. With this network as a cornerstone, we have the capability to address local PFAS problems with a global perspective and innovative solutions.

PFAS SPECIALISTS

700+

OFFICE LOCATIONS

200+

Proactive and Future Ready

Our team combines practical solutions with innovative ideas and ground-breaking technologies to support our clients across their entire asset life cycles, aligned with their goals and risk tolerance.

Strategic Planning

Tracking/monitoring legislation
PFAS program development
Corporate Training
Policy studies
Desktop site portfolio screening
Product stewardship
Due diligence
Merger & acquisition strategy
Litigation support

Permitting Support

Site and Portfolio screening
Permitting and compliance
Soil & groundwater management
Wastewater, industrial effluents and leachate management
Treatment
Disposal
Beneficial reuse evaluation

Mitigation Management

Vulnerability assessments
Use/alternatives evaluation
Product (AFFF) transition planning, cleaning, replacement
Supply chain evaluation
Modelling (air, water)
EHS/Industrial Hygiene
Climate risk evaluation for PFAS contaminated sites

Remediation & Clean-Up

Investigation
Source evaluations
Plume stability assessment (Groundwater Plume Analytics®)
Risk assessment/toxicology
Remediation and treatment
Stormwater management
Waste disposal
Interim actions
Asset retirement

Explore our innovative projects, featuring ground-breaking technologies and efficient solutions

Related projects

Through innovation and applied research into PFAS testing, assessment and treatment, we have been breaking new ground with practical and efficient solutions for the investigation, remediation and risk management of these challenging contaminants.

United States

Planning clean sustainable solutions for PFAS impacted drinking water

An $850 million settlement was reached in the first-ever Natural Resource Damage Claim for PFAS in the United States.

United Kingdom

Investigating PFAS and forever chemicals presence at a UK airport

We supported a UK airport in their environmental permit renewal, investigating PFAS presence and reducing it in surface water discharges.

Australia

Investigating and Remediating a PFAS Spill

This case study details the environmental studies conducted following the spill of a highly concentrated foaming liquid containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) that was accidentally released into an ephemeral creek after entering a stormwater drain.

Canada

Helping Protect the Public and Environment from PFAS Impacts on a Military Base

This project illustrates several success factors in PFAS analysis and mitigation, particularly the value of having a three-dimensional conceptual site model to determine the pathways and receptors, and to provide information for choosing mitigation methods.

Canada

Understanding Site Details Key to Effective PFAS Risk Management

Quantitative Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (Site Specific Risk Assessment or SSRA) to assess the potential risk of PFAS in the environment.

Alpena - Michigan - USA

Leveraging nature to help solve the PFAS puzzle in groundwater

Nature-based solutions are succeeding against PFAS contamination at the town of Alpena in the US state of Michigan – where site-specific constraints meant that traditional methods such as pump-and-treat of contaminated water were impractical.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States

Pease Air Force Base PFAS

Protecting public health through innovative groundwater treatment.

North America

PFAS Remediation at Multiple Locations at a North American Airport

Characterizing and remediating the PFAS impacts associated with the historical and current firefighting training facilities.

California, USA

Combating the Slippery Nature of PFAS while Testing at California Landfill

California regulatory agency, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), wanted to get a better understanding of PFAS contamination in the state.

North America

Untangling a Complex PFAS Picture at a Manufacturing Facility

PFAS air emissions have led to investigations of soil, groundwater, stormwater, surface water sediment, and fish tissue at an active manufacturing facility in North America.

North America

Airport PFAS Survey: Exploring New Human and Environmental Risk Factors

Desktop screening and ranking of approx.100 airports to prioritize future PFAS investigations related to impacts from Firefighting Training Areas.

Available solutions for every stage of your project

From optimized strategic planning and portfolio management, to investigation, risk management, and remediation, we have developed and optimized solutions to efficiently address PFAS at every project stage.

Optimized Strategic Planning

Restrictive PFAS product compliance regulations, pollution prevention and stringent cleanup requirements are apparent globally. WSP’s suite of tools are used to identify, prioritize, and address PFAS within supply chains and real estate.

PFAS Use Catalog

A database of known PFAS associations with industries, processes and products to evaluate potential PFAS within supply chains and likelihood of legacy environmental releases at subject sites and nearby facilities.

Portfolio Screening and Prioritization

We have optimized a multi-tiered desktop protocol that marries the likelihood of a historic PFAS release with potential receptor impacts. The protocol is risk-based, client-customizable and identifies and ranks potential reputational risk and financial liability.

Product compliance and manufacturing vulnerability solutions

Our vulnerability services address increasing public pressure and regulatory scrutiny to remove PFAS from manufacturing and commerce through systematic and documented supply chain and operations assessment where PFAS and PFAS byproducts are identified and tracked through occupational exposure points and waste streams. Ultimately, action plans to eliminate PFAS risk are developed in concert with client goals.

Source Identification and Investigation

Development of Conceptual Site Models for PFAS contaminated sites is complicated by chemistry, fate and transport and multiple PFAS sources. WSP has a suite of field investigation and data interpretation tools to define anthropogenic background, help identify sources, differentiate plumes and assess PFAS plume stability.

Advanced analytical and sampling

We are adept with leveraging targeted and non-targeted analytical methods and advanced sampling techniques, including passive samplers and lysimeters, to gather information needed to build a complete picture of PFAS impacts.

Vapor Phase PFAS

Volatilization of short chain and neutral PFAS (e.g., fluorotelomer alcohols) is proving to be a major PFAS transport pathway that is rapidly gaining regulatory attention. WSP experts have the knowledge and experience to assess and mitigate PFAS vapor risks associated with landfills, residential and workplace vapor intrusion, and occupational exposure.

Automated and machine learning tools

The large volumes of data from PFAS testing programs make it difficult to categorize samples efficiently. Machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence using statistical algorithms to learn from data, is helping to simplify this process.

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Groundwater Plume Analytics®

Tools that mine existing data to better manage plumes with focus on cost effective resilient remedies.

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img-website-PFAS-hub-2-Source Identication and Investigation

Remediation and Treatment

Similar to the pattern of earlier emerging contaminants, “proven” PFAS remediation approaches are primarily limited to ex-situ filtering technologies (e.g., GAC, resins, and foam fractionation) and in-situ stabilization. WSP has experience with designing, constructing and operating these.

We are also actively involved with building a future with more advanced remedial options. Our experts are leading teams developing innovative technologies and approaches to remediating PFAS including several destructive and nature-based solutions that are now being commercialized.

Destructive treatment technologies

WSP has focused on the advancement of several PFAS treatment technologies with specific focus on destructive solutions to end PFAS cycling through the environment, lower costs and reduce liabilities. These include:

Electro-oxidation
Super critical water oxidation: : WSP partnered with a supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) technology provider to verify and validate the on-site destruction and mineralization of PFAS remediation wastes (e.g., spent PFAS-laden ion exchange resin or GAC).
Plasma: Low-temperature plasma destruction of PFAS in high- concentration solutions. PFAS rise to the surface of the reactor vessels, assisted by argon gas diffusers, and are fully destroyed in a matter of hours.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-based solutions (NbS) leverage natural processes to tackle various challenges, benefiting both people and biodiversity. Learn how Nature based solutions are being used to address the PFAS challenge.

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Separation and Stabilization Technologies

The WSP PFAS team has designed, operated, and maintained some of the first PFAS treatment systems, as well as developed and demonstrated separation, stabilization, and destruction technologies since 2015:

WSP treatability study labs
WSP treatment trailers
Full scale treatment systems

From small to large flows, from in-situ to ex-situ, from conventional to innovative technologies, we provide experience-based, scientifically advanced, economically efficient solutions tailored to each site to efficiently address PFAS.

Risk Management

From strategic planning to conceptual model development to remediation, all of our PFAS services are focused on identifying, quantifying, and resolving risk. WSP has also developed specific risk management and tools that are differentiators.

Risk Assessment

WSP's risk assessors conduct multi-pathway PFAS risk assessments, specialize in dietary exposure evaluations, and routinely develop toxicology reviews and assessments.

PFAS Climate Risk Tool

WSP has developed a tool to assess the impact of climate change on PFAS contaminated sites for potential remedial options or treatment technologies already in operation. The tool helps with responsible and cost-effective decision-making, strategic planning, and risk management at the site and/or portfolio level. Climate change impacts specifically addressed by the tool include:

Temperature
Snow cover
Precipitation / storm events
Change in permafrost
Flora shift
Fauna shift
High winds
Erosion
Drought
Wildfires
Sea level rise / Artic Sea level change

Seeking effective solutions for your PFAS challenges?

Contact our global experts to address your environmental needs with innovative strategies.

Applied R&D – Advancing the latest solutions

At WSP, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of PFAS management by pioneering practical and innovative solutions supported by breakthrough technologies. With a steadfast focus on continuous improvement and by collaborating closely with academia and technology partners, our experts are dedicated to bringing the next innovative ideas to the market.