374Water Markets AirSCWO Technology for PFAS Destruction
The company offers a new solution to help water utilities meet strict federal limits on forever chemicals.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Utilities
Live Poll
Should your local water utility prioritize permanent waste destruction over current PFAS storage methods?
374Water is deploying its AirSCWO technology to permanently destroy PFAS, providing a path for utilities to manage waste and comply with new EPA standards. The system treats contaminated materials like spent carbon and resin, which are generated as byproducts of current filtration methods.
Why it matters
Water utilities face rising costs to meet federal drinking water standards for PFAS, which now require advanced disposal solutions for contaminated filtration media. The AirSCWO process offers a way to eliminate these contaminants rather than simply moving them to landfills.
A US Army Corps of Engineers report found the AirSCWO system achieves 99.9993% destruction efficiency for PFAS. Mid-sized utilities produce 80,000 pounds of PFAS-laden spent carbon annually, which must now be managed under new EPA regulations.
The players
374Water
This clean technology company focuses on the development of physical-thermal systems for the permanent destruction of hazardous waste.
EPA
This federal agency establishes and enforces national standards for drinking water quality to protect public health.
US Army Corps of Engineers
This federal engineering agency performs research and testing on environmental technologies for national infrastructure projects.
The details
The technology processes hazardous waste including aqueous film-forming foam, ion exchange resin, and spent carbon that utilities collect through standard treatment. 374Water operates a facility in Orlando and is planning to open additional hubs to meet growing demand from the water sector.
Timeline
April 2024: EPA introduced enforceable limits for PFAS.
August 2026: EPA released final PFAS monitoring data.
2029: End of period for new GAC and IX systems.
Market Landscape
This story follows a pattern set by the EPA's 2024 enforceable PFAS limits, which mandates that utilities find ways to manage previously unregulated levels of chemicals in their water supply. The technology positions 374Water to capture significant market share as utilities pivot from temporary containment to permanent destruction.
Utilities are facing significant compliance costs that will likely impact household water rates as they invest in new filtration and disposal infrastructure. These upgrades are necessary to meet the 4.0 parts per trillion limit set for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water.
The takeaway
The move toward permanent chemical destruction signals a shift away from traditional filtration methods that only capture waste. Utilities should prepare for higher operational costs as they adopt advanced disposal systems to meet stringent federal requirements.
Further reading
For more on how infrastructure projects are adapting to new environmental standards, visit the Utilities section.
Live Poll
Should your local water utility prioritize permanent waste destruction over current PFAS storage methods?
