Construction site water caused by excavation must be pumped away from the site and treated properly. This remediation process typically requires the removal of suspended solids or micro contaminants. This must be done before effluent can be introduced into the municipal system or a waterway. Construction sites are increasingly finding levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in this groundwater.
Building materials have been shown to emit PFAS. Products commonly used in roofing, painting, and resistance related jobs have been shown to contain PFAS. Paints, sealers, adhesives, coatings, and wiring materials are vital to the construction business. While builders and installers may do their best to mitigate their own PFAS output, it is still likely to be in the groundwater. This could even be caused by other nearby construction jobs or previous work done in the area. Unfortunately, whatever the source, it is the current builder's responsibility to treat the water for PFAS and other compounds before reintroducing it into municipal water systems.
Construction companies need to be aware of not only PFAS but also VOCs, heavy metals, and inorganic compounds among other contaminants. When performing dewatering, it is crucial to reach legally required contaminant levels. Evoqua has solutions available for any type of compound found in the groundwater at your construction site. The chart below details the most common compounds found in construction site water and the remediation media necessary to treat them.
|
Compound |
Remediation Media |
|
Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS), |
PFC Removal (carbon and resin treatments) |
|
Trichloroethylene (TCE) |
Activated Carbon Media/Air Stripper |
|
Dichloromethane (DCM) |
Activated Carbon Media/Air Stripper |
|
1,2,3 - Trichloropropane (TCP) |
TCP Remediation |
|
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) |
Activated Carbon Media/Air Stripper |
|
BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) |
Activated Carbon Media |
|
Dioxane |
AOP/Resin |
|
Other Organic Compounds |
Activated Carbon Media |
|
Arsenic |
GFH® Granular Ferric Hydroxide Media |
|
Cadmium |
SCU™ Trace Metal Removal Media |
|
Copper |
SCU™ Trace Metal Removal Media |
|
Perchlorate or Cyanids |
Ion Exchange Resin |
|
Selenium |
Biological treatment |
Evoqua has one of the largest, most versatile and responsive mobile water treatment fleets in the country. Our combination of pre-treatment, vessels, media or resins can effectively mitigate PFAS and other contaminants in any flow rate in almost any location, regardless of footprint or weather. We have emergency mobile units, short-term and long-term solutions that mitigate contaminants, dewater your site and bring your water into compliance.
