Veolia has completed the construction of one of the largest PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) treatment facilities in the United States. Located in Delaware, the Stanton Water Treatment Plant is the largest of its kind in the Northeast and is designed to remove regulated PFAS compounds from drinking water. The facility is expected to serve more than 100,000 residents and meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) PFAS regulations.
The project, which cost $35 million, adds to the 33 PFAS treatment systems Veolia currently operates across the country. The company has stated its intention to expand treatment to over 100 water production sites in the U.S. in the coming years, aiming to serve nearly 2 million people. Veolia has indicated that its approach focuses on meeting regulatory requirements while managing costs.
The Stanton facility is part of Veolia’s broader PFAS initiative, called BeyondPFAS, which encompasses testing, treatment, and disposal solutions. According to the company, the plant provides a model that could be applied to similar water systems internationally.
Design work on the Stanton plant began in early 2022, prior to updated EPA regulations concerning PFAS levels. Construction took three years and resulted in a 17,600-square-foot facility. The plant features 42 vessels, each 22 feet tall and filled with 40,000 pounds of granular activated carbon, designed to treat up to 30 million gallons of water per day from two local rivers. The facility also includes an on-site laboratory to evaluate filtration media and treatment options.
The project, which cost $35 million, adds to the 33 PFAS treatment systems Veolia currently operates across the country
Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia, said: “In line with our GreenUp strategic program, this major infrastructure milestone highlights Veolia’s strong commitment to delivering environmental security solutions to communities worldwide. Tackling micropollutants lies at the heart of our mission, and Veolia is proud to lead the way in testing, treating and responsibly disposing of regulated PFAS contaminants. For the 100,000 people who rely on high-quality water from Veolia in Delaware, the Stanton PFAS treatment system is a generational improvement in public health and environmental protection that will strengthen communities and create opportunities long into the future.”
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer also commented: “PFAS contamination poses a serious threat to public health, and addressing it at the source is essential. The Stanton Water Treatment Plant will play a vital role in tackling this challenge by treating PFAS on the front end of the water system. Veolia’s leadership in developing one of the largest treatment facilities in the country reflects a strong commitment to proactive public health protection and underscores our administration’s dedication to ensuring clean, safe water for Delawareans.”
Karine Rougé, CEO of Municipal Water for Veolia in North America, added: “I’m inspired by how swiftly and effectively Veolia responded to the PFAS challenge in Delaware through this state-of-the-art facility, which now sets a global standard. The lessons from this project will help Veolia deploy similar water quality improvements faster, more efficiently and more effectively. We’re proud of our team for designing and building this vital project so quickly and so well, and we’re thrilled that so many of our customers are able to benefit from their tireless work.”
