Handex Shines in Privately Funded PFAS Cleanup Project

Are you facing challenges with sedimentation ponds nearing capacity or affecting your discharge limits? Lean on an expert like Handex for assistance. Handex specializes in using the most efficient and economical equipment to restore your ponds and basins to peak efficiency.

This is exemplified by a recent project at a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This initiative marked one of the first privately funded PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) cleanups, highlighting the growing recognition of PFAS as a significant environmental concern and the critical need for expert intervention.

The project centered on a 4-acre bio-solids lagoon heavily contaminated with PFAS and overgrown with dense vegetation. The complexity of this task required specialized knowledge and equipment to effectively dredge the lagoon while managing the materials and dense plant life.

Handex was subcontracted to bring their expertise in dredging and dewatering to this challenging project. With over 55 years of experience and a robust portfolio of successful environmental projects, Handex was well-equipped to tackle the complexities of this cleanup.

Key Steps in the Project:

• Assessment and Planning: Handex began with a thorough assessment of the lagoon, identifying the extent of PFAS contamination and the logistical challenges posed by the overgrown vegetation.
  
  
• Dredging: Utilizing state of the art dredging equipment, Handex carefully removed the contaminated bio-solids from the lagoon. The process required precision to ensure that the maximum amount of PFAS-contaminated material was extracted while minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment.
  
  
• Dewatering: The extracted waste was processed using two 21-inch bowl skid-mounted centrifuges, which are part of Handex’s advanced equipment arsenal. These centrifuges efficiently separated water from the solid waste, reducing the volume of material that needed to be managed.
  
  
• Waste Management: The dewatered waste was then safely handled and disposed of in accordance with environmental regulations, ensuring that the PFAS contaminants were contained and would not pose a future risk to the environment or public health.

The entire project spanned approximately 75 days, a testament to Handex’s efficiency and commitment to timely project completion. The successful remediation of the lagoon not only mitigated the immediate environmental risks but also set a precedent for future PFAS cleanup projects in the region.

This project highlighted Handex’s unparalleled expertise in handling complex environmental challenges. Their role in one of a first privately funded PFAS cleanups, demonstrated their capability to deliver effective solutions in even the most demanding situations. As PFAS contamination continues to be a significant environmental issue, Handex’s proven track record positions them as a leader in the field, ready to tackle similar challenges in the United States.

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