Rome, Georgia, will soon replace its aging water treatment plant with a new facility capable of filtering out a group of risky chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Also known as “forever chemicals” because they can linger in the environment for decades, PFAS are a class of compounds used for years in commercial products like carpets, fast food wrappers and cookware. They may increase the risk of certain cancers, cause developmental delays in children and reduce the body’s ability to fight infections, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA recently released new standards for drinking water, setting a limit of four parts per trillion for two prevalent kinds of PFAS — PFOS and PFOA. The EPA originally gave drinking water systems until 2029 to comply with its new limits on PFAS, but the agency may extend that deadline to 2031 to give utilities more time.
Rome has a head start compared to many of its peers. Its new plant will use a treatment method called reverse osmosis, which involves forcing water at high pressure through a semipermeable membrane that prevents the passage of various substances.
Officials aim to have the project complete in 2029. For now, the city is using a temporary filtration solution — granular activated carbon — to keep PFAS at a manageable level.