Skip Navigation
Search
Center for Clean Water Technology
HomeResearchDrinking Water Contaminants

Emerging Contaminants

The Center has expanded its mission to include addressing emerging contaminants in water. This initiative represents the initial phase of a State-sponsored, multi-year program aimed at proactively tackling contaminants of concern to ensure safe and sustainable water resources for communities.

For inquiries related to the Center's emerging contaminants research, please contact  Dr. Lokesh Padhye, Associate Director for Emerging Contaminants Research. 

Poly & Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS are synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products since the 1950s. Due to their persistence and widespread use, PFAS have contaminated surface water, groundwater, and even drinking water sources globally. These substances pose serious health and environmental concerns, requiring innovative solutions to mitigate their impact. PFAS contamination is an issue of concern for communities in Long Island and New York state, as many drinking water sources are impacted by these contaminants.

To address PFAS contamination in New York State's drinking water:

  • State-of-the-Art Monitoring: The Center is establishing advanced testing facilities equipped to monitor a wide array of PFAS compounds using cutting-edge analytical techniques, which include target and non-target analysis.
  • Evaluating Current Treatments: Research focuses on the efficacy of established methods such as granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange, and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for PFAS removal.
  • Developing Novel Solutions: The Center is innovating advanced adsorption technologies using materials like nanocellulose, biochar, and other novel sorbents. These approaches aim to enhance PFAS removal efficiency while addressing economic and environmental sustainability.
  • Pilot-Scale Testing: Select advanced technologies will be scaled up for pilot studies, including point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems, to evaluate their real-world feasibility and performance.

By integrating novel sorbents and adsorption-based technologies with existing methods, the Center aims to develop cost-effective and environmentally friendly solutions to PFAS contamination.

Perfluorochemicals Fact Sheet

 

1,4-Dioxane

1,4-Dioxane is a probable human carcinogen and a widespread contaminant in Long Island's water supplies, with some of the nation’s highest concentrations detected (up to 33 μg L -1). The Center has established a pilot program to test the effectiveness and feasibility of advanced/alternative water treatment technologies (e.g. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP) such as UV/H2O2 treatment) to remove 1,4-dioxane from drinking waters. The program has three interrelated objectives:

  • Providing grants to support the pilot testing of treatment technologies by water suppliers;
  • Evaluating the efficacy of pilot treatment technologies; and
  • Research and development of novel or refined treatment technologies to remove 1,4-dioxane and associated byproducts from drinking water.

Research is being conducted to (i) understand the fate and transformation of 1,4-dioxane and formation of other toxic reaction byproducts during AOP treatment, and (ii) test a combination of treatment techniques with AOP (e.g. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), Biological Activated Carbon (BAC) etc.) to enhance the removal of 1,4-dioxane and associated byproducts.

1,4-Dioxane Fact Sheet

Treatments

Advanced Oxidation/Reduction Processes (AORPs)

Advanced Oxidation/Reduction Processes (AOPs) are highly effective at degrading persistent organic contaminants like PFAS, pesticides, and 1,4-dioxane. These processes generate reactive chemical species to break down contaminants into harmless byproducts like water and carbon dioxide.

Ongoing Research and Development:

  • System Optimization: Evaluating the performance of VUV, plasma, electrochemical treatments, and other AORP configurations under various water quality conditions to optimize emerging contaminants degradation.
  • Byproduct Formation: Studying degradation pathways and potential formation of toxic byproducts during AORP treatments.
  • Combined Technologies: Testing hybrid systems that integrate AORPs with GAC, Biological Activated Carbon (BAC), and advanced adsorbents to improve contaminant removal efficiency.

Emerging Adsorption Technologies

The Center is also pioneering novel adsorption-based solutions to complement advanced treatment methods like AOPs. These include:

  1. Nanocellulose-Based Sorbents: Leveraging the high surface area and tunable functional groups of nanocellulose for targeted adsorption of PFAS and other contaminants.
  2. Biochar Innovations: Developing low-cost biochars derived from agricultural and forestry residues to offer a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent for contaminant removal.
  3. Hybrid Systems: Integrating advanced adsorbents with existing treatment technologies for enhanced contaminant capture and reduced byproduct formation.

These approaches align with the Center’s commitment to environmentally sustainable water treatment solutions while ensuring high removal efficiencies.