2026 Student Poster Presentation Competition
WQRF and Pentair Water Solutions are hosting current undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in drinking water to participate in a competitive call for posters. Posters will be displayed at the annual Water Quality Association's (WQA) Convention + Expo in Miami, Florida, on April 29 and 30, 2026.
Abstract Submission:
In-Situ Electro-Regeneration of PFAS Laden Point of Use (POU) Carbon Filters for Sustainable Drinking Water Treatment
Abstract Submission:
In-Situ Electro-Regeneration of PFAS Laden Point of Use (POU) Carbon Filters for Sustainable Drinking Water Treatment
Mohamed Gaber and Mahmut S. Ersan | University of North Dakota
Department of Civil Engineering
Grand Forks, ND 58201, USA
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants detected in water sources worldwide and are known for their persistence in the environment. In recent years, PFAS contamination of drinking water has emerged as a significant global environmental concern. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), setting enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorosulfonoic acid (PFOS). To control the occurrence of PFAS and mitigate their health impacts on the public, adsorption has emerged as one of the most promising treatment approaches, offering high technology readiness levels (TRLs) and cost-effective performance for PFAS mitigation. Therefore, point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) treatment systems commonly employ granular activated carbon (GAC) filters as a final barrier in drinking water distribution systems to remove PFAS. However, these filters become exhausted with PFAS within 3-6 months and are recommended for replacement in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. To achieve sustainable drinking water treatment, there is a need to develop cost effective and environmentally friendly in-situ regeneration technologies that will extend filter lifetime for removing PFAS compounds. While current conventional ex-situ regeneration techniques, such as chemical and thermal regeneration, are not environmentally friendly and cost-effective ($2.0–$2.9/kg), electro-regeneration is particularly appealing for GAC due to its conductive properties and low energy requirement (less than 1 kW/h). Electroregeneration technology relies on anodic/cathodic polarization. When a cathodic current is applied to exhausted GAC, it becomes negatively charged, leading to desorption of the adsorbed contaminants into the bulk solution, moving toward the oppositely charged anode. Under these electrified conditions, the released contaminants may also undergo electrochemical degradation due to their oxidation or reduction. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the insitu regeneration of PFAS-laden activated carbons and simultaneous PFAS destruction using an innovative in-situ electro-regeneration and destruction approach. The specific objectives are to investigate how: i) PFAS carbon-chain length and structure, (ii) adsorbent properties, and (iii) water matrix characteristics affect the electro-regeneration efficiency of PFAS-laden carbon-based adsorbents. In addition, this study will also examine the simultaneous destruction of PFAS compounds during the electro-regeneration of the spent media. The experiments are currently underway, and the results will be discussed at the meeting.
Department of Civil Engineering
Grand Forks, ND 58201, USA
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants detected in water sources worldwide and are known for their persistence in the environment. In recent years, PFAS contamination of drinking water has emerged as a significant global environmental concern. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR), setting enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorosulfonoic acid (PFOS). To control the occurrence of PFAS and mitigate their health impacts on the public, adsorption has emerged as one of the most promising treatment approaches, offering high technology readiness levels (TRLs) and cost-effective performance for PFAS mitigation. Therefore, point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) treatment systems commonly employ granular activated carbon (GAC) filters as a final barrier in drinking water distribution systems to remove PFAS. However, these filters become exhausted with PFAS within 3-6 months and are recommended for replacement in accordance with manufacturer guidelines. To achieve sustainable drinking water treatment, there is a need to develop cost effective and environmentally friendly in-situ regeneration technologies that will extend filter lifetime for removing PFAS compounds. While current conventional ex-situ regeneration techniques, such as chemical and thermal regeneration, are not environmentally friendly and cost-effective ($2.0–$2.9/kg), electro-regeneration is particularly appealing for GAC due to its conductive properties and low energy requirement (less than 1 kW/h). Electroregeneration technology relies on anodic/cathodic polarization. When a cathodic current is applied to exhausted GAC, it becomes negatively charged, leading to desorption of the adsorbed contaminants into the bulk solution, moving toward the oppositely charged anode. Under these electrified conditions, the released contaminants may also undergo electrochemical degradation due to their oxidation or reduction. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the insitu regeneration of PFAS-laden activated carbons and simultaneous PFAS destruction using an innovative in-situ electro-regeneration and destruction approach. The specific objectives are to investigate how: i) PFAS carbon-chain length and structure, (ii) adsorbent properties, and (iii) water matrix characteristics affect the electro-regeneration efficiency of PFAS-laden carbon-based adsorbents. In addition, this study will also examine the simultaneous destruction of PFAS compounds during the electro-regeneration of the spent media. The experiments are currently underway, and the results will be discussed at the meeting.