Interested in getting facts about PFAS monitoring and removal in water and sewage sludge? The ZeroPM Technical Solutions team have prepared a series of factsheets covering:
- Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Sewage Sludge
- Drinking Water Treatment for PFAS Removal
- Upcoming: PFAS passive sampling
Fact sheet: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Sewage Sludge
The ZeroPM fact sheet: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Sewage Sludge can be downloaded here or viewed below.
How is Sewage Sludge managed in the EU-27?
In 2020 more than 7.5 million tonnes (dry matter) of sewage sludge were produced in the EU-27. Despite the significant differences in management practices among Member States, agricultural use via land application, was the most common, accounting for 35% of the total. A further 15% was composted, 10% was landfilled, and 30% was incinerated.
Are there PFAS in Sewage Sludge?
According to a review paper published in 2025, more than 180 PFAS have been detected in sewage sludge. The observed concentrations typically range from tens to hundreds of ng/g dry weight, depending on the compound. The most studied PFAS classes are perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), and perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides (FASAs). In general, long-chain PFAS exhibit higher adsorption onto sludge compared with short-chain analogues, and PFSAs bind more strongly than PFCAs.
What are the main problems with the presence of PFAS in Sewage Sludge?
When contaminated sewage sludge is applied to agricultural soil, a direct pollutant exposure pathway is established. This practice increases the risk of exposure to the terrestrial environment and of contamination of groundwater. Furthermore, if the land is used for agricultural purposes, then contaminants can be taken up by plants grown in the area, contaminating food sources. Long-term monitoring studies in America have demonstrated the transfer of PFAS from sewage sludge (more commonly termed biosolids in America) to agricultural lands.
Fact Sheet: Drinking Water Treatment for PFAS Removal
The ZeroPM fact sheet: Drinking Water Treatment for PFAS Removal can be downloaded here or viewed below.
This fact sheet outlines various techniques for removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water. It has been designed to help drinking water suppliers address the problem of the presence of PFAS contamination in raw water. It provides an overview of the effectiveness of different treatment methods for eliminating various types of PFAS, which can vary significantly. Further it shows the implementation of the different treatment methods tested within ZeroPM.