Cross-national challenges and strategies for PFAS regulatory compliance in water infrastructure

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are notable health concerns, leading to global drinking-water regulations for primary PFAS. However, conventional drinking-water treatment methods are ineffective in eliminating PFAS due to their resistance to such processes. Moreover, certain disinfection procedures may inadvertently generate perfluorinated compounds from polyfluorinated precursor compounds. With evolving regulations, there exists an immediate demand for both technical and non-technical solutions that water treatment facilities can adopt. Here, to address this critical gap, we examine the primary challenges tied to PFAS removal and introduce a detailed four-stage protocol. We advocate for non-technical strategies to improve PFAS removal practices. The treatment trains and management recommendations presented in this Perspective are also geared towards helping utilities comply with regulations concerning other chemical contaminants, including disinfection by-products. We emphasize the necessity for practical PFAS monitoring and treatment guidelines and encourage utilities to leverage all available resources, to positively impact public health through improved water quality.The potential hazard of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances has led to new regulations affecting requirements for water quality. This Perspective proposes a protocol to adapt water treatment technology to meet new regulation requirements.