One-Stop-Shop Approach To Water Treatment Provides Peace Of Mind On Path To PFAS Compliance
By Rob Craw
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have appeared globally in textiles, packaging, cookware, fire-fighting foam, and other manufactured products since the 1940s. Man-made chemicals deemed hazardous to human health, PFAS have seeped into our drinking water through runoff from manufacturing processes, firefighting, and other means.
In April, 2024, the U.S. EPA raised the bar for safe drinking water in the United States, capping the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS in drinking water. The new rule limits perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) to 4 parts per trillion (ppt) — that’s equivalent to four drops of water in 16,000,000 gallons of water.
Water utilities now face time-related obstacles for dealing with these PFAS. However, working with an integrated solutions provider can help streamline processes and ensure systems are up and running ahead of federal deadlines.
New PFAS Requirements Impose Stringent Timelines
The PFAS problem has driven the greater part of the demand for wellhead treatment systems in the US. Those systems allow utilities to treat the water at the point of extraction from the aquifer. In California, for example, 40% of the water is groundwater, and the groundwater provides approximately 85% of residential water — all the water for human consumption. With so much demand on the groundwater, it’s no surprise that demand for treatment systems has also increased.
The publication of the EPA’s new rule in mid-April has far reaching impacts on existing groundwater supplies, creating a significant need for additional treatments. While for years the industry has focused on identifying the best available technologies (BATs), the new regulations have forced a new focus. Utilities across the country must determine how to build the sites needed to address the new limits.
In addition to the increase in treatments, the EPA is also requiring water systems to report quarterly for these new compounds. With initial monitoring expected to be in place by 2027, the systems must publish the results in Annual Water Quality Reports to all ratepayers by 2029, when full enforcement of PFAS MCL compliance begins. At that time, requirements for quarterly monitoring reports will remain in place to ensure ongoing compliance.
As utilities begin the initial monitoring, the EPA has made its requirements clear. If a water system has an exceedance in the initial quarter, it must continue testing. After three quarters of exceedances, they will have two options — shut the well down or treat it further. From that time, they have three years to come into full compliance.
Because utilities tend to address water quality public health issues very early on in the treatment cycle, they are now scrambling to meet the more stringent regulations. Besides wanting to maintain their strong balance sheets, publicly traded utilities also want to avoid any litigation as well as avoid giving the impression they’re serving water that could negatively impact human health.
Integrated Solutions Providers Respond With Streamlined Processes
The timeline for the utilities to comply with the new rules is incredibly tight, but working with an integrated solutions provider can help accelerate the timeline. An integrated provider can streamline processes, delivering comprehensive in-house execution from water quality assessment to construction and project commissioning — all prior to federal deadlines.
Historically Reliable Design-Bid-Build (DBB)
The water industry has historically relied on the most prevalent contracting vehicle that's dominated the landscape — design-bid-build. When a utility experiences three quarters of non-compliance and decides to treat the well rather than shut it down, the design-bid-build process dictates that they hire an engineer to work with their in-house engineering team to design an updated site. The utility then presents the design for public bidding by contractors and awards the project to a singular contractor. Then, it goes through a submittal phase, building phase, and commissioning phase.
When there are tight timelines — three to five years to come into compliance — the design-bid-build process runs out of time quickly. Design usually takes a year. Delays in funding can sometimes last up to six months. Add a year to a year and a half for procurement and construction and the project has already hit the three-to-three-and-a-half-year mark. Time ticks away very quickly.
So, while design-bid-build has proven to be a reliable solution when time is not a factor, utilities need other options to meet the demands of the current rule and the timeline for compliance. And integrated solutions providers have stepped up to the plate. They offer viable options with alternative, collaborative procurements to increase efficiency and meet compliance deadlines.
Alternative, Collaborative Procurements
The more collaborative options include:
- Design-build — Rather than designing first, then awarding a contract for construction, design-build is an alternative that awards architectural/engineering and construction services a single contract, so they collaborate on the design and build. While this method has been proved to accelerate timelines, it has not done an adequate job of mitigating risks to either owners or contractors.
- Progressive design build (PDB) — Progressive design-build takes another step in collaboration, bringing the site owner, architect/engineer, and construction manager together very early on the development of the project. The most common scenario has the engineer teamed with the contractor. In addition, the owner negotiates a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with the construction firm, effectively allowing the construction firm and owner to share risk in a more appropriate manner. Quicker delivery, more flexibility, and better cost transparency result.
- Construction management at risk (CMAR) — Similar to progressive design-build, the designer works collaboratively with the construction firm and site owner. Many of the same benefits exist here as with PDB. The main difference is that the owner will hold the contract with the engineer.
- P3 – Public Private Partnerships — Partnerships between government entities and private investors are an effective way to finance water infrastructure projects that benefit the public. Private investors can offset the impact to public funding while adhering to the standards necessary for such funds. This method allows public owners to pay for infrastructure over time, without affecting their current cash position.
Turning to these collaborative vehicles for site builds compresses the project schedule up to 60% of the original time it would take using the more traditional design-bid-build approach. The collaboration facilitated by an integrated solutions provider brings together experts from each domain, particularly those versed in understanding water quality, and the unique team understands a site’s strengths and limitations.
This allows for a more streamlined process as site owners engage with one to three contractors who are involved in the delivery of contracted services. They conduct interviews and make their selections. The contractor typically brings on an engineer to do all the engineering and permitting. Then, as they're designing the job at 30% design, then 60% design, they also order all the long lead items for the project.
So, while the design is in the final stages, long lead time materials are already arriving at the jobsite. Civil elements of the project are also designed very early to get the contractor working on site. With collaborative one-stop-shop services like these, what would otherwise be a three and a half- to five-year process becomes a compressed timeline of 24 to 30 months — a much more manageable goal under the current regulations. The shorter timeline also equates to cost savings.
Perks Of Partnering With Small Business Solutions Providers
Collaborating with partners is critical to meeting the milestones set out for water infrastructure. The bar has been set high, but with integrated solutions providers streamlining processes that once took years, water agencies can meet the demands of the EPA’s latest ruling, increase the number of residents experiencing improved health with cleaner tap water, and save money in the process.
Leading the way, the government has not only set the bar, but it has also proven to be a committed partner in the transition. Our government displayed that commitment when they passed a bipartisan bill in 2021, designating $5.8 billion to facilitate state water initiatives. This funding paved the way for developing partnerships.
Water management systems choosing small businesses as their integrated solutions provider can expect a partner who shares their value proposition of risk management and who can be trusted. Small businesses offer a collaborative approach and a personal component not always experienced when working with larger companies. They also bring flexibility and creativity to the process, with the ability to pivot quickly as needed. The customized services small businesses provide are far removed from a one-size-fits-all strategy.
A smaller subset in the small business landscape, certified veteran-owned businesses have proven to be reliable partners as well. Their unique background gives veteran-owned businesses a strong sense of teamwork, confidence, and discipline. They also contribute a solid work ethic, commitment to follow through, and dedication to solving whatever problems arise.
Partnering with entities like these can ensure you’ll experience collaborative success as you move forward into the new demands of water treatment in the 21st century.
Rob Craw, CEO and founder of Covenant Technical Solutions, has more than 30 years of experience in the water industry. From his early days working the shop floor at USFilter/Westates to advancing underground infrastructure technology at UGSI, to founding and scaling AqueoUS Vets and launching American Veterans Products & Services, Rob is uniquely qualified to advise and support other growing businesses in the water sector.