AFFF-Contaminated Wastewater Pilot Study and Treatment, MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA

Trevet conducted a treatability study to evaluate a method for effectively treating aqueous film forming form (AFFF) impacted wastewater stored in the UST systems at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Camp Pendleton. At the start of the project, two UST systems were completely full of wastewater, a third system was at 70 percent capacity, and 140,000 gallons of AFFF-impacted wastewater was stored above ground in frac tanks. The objectives were reduction of the AFFF component per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to concentrations below the U.S. EPA 70 parts per trillion (ppt) lifetime health advisory level and regional screening levels, and below local limits for discharging treated wastewater to the sanitary sewer system.

Trevet designed and delivered a treatment system for AFFF impacted wastewater treatment contained within 52-foot mobile trailer that used mobile granulated activated carbon, organoclay, and ion exchange resin to treat wastewater at a substantially greater rate than had been previously achieved at other installations. Identical treatment trains A and B operated in parallel to double the treatment rate, or independently when one train was offline for maintenance. Media vessels were equipped with sampling ports for evaluating the performance of each type of treatment process media, providing data for optimizing future treatment systems and evaluating when breakthrough of contaminants was occurring.

large white semi truck with blue tank equipment in parking lot

The treatability study processed 40,000 gallons of wastewater at a rate of 10 gallons per minute through Train A. Results indicated that the type and quantity of the chosen filter media was effective at reducing PFAS concentrations as high as 366,500 ppt to below regulatory limits and, in most cases, to non-detectable levels.

large red equipment in parking lot by road

white truck pulling equipment and tube running into the concrete opening

AFFF Contaminated Wastewater Treatability Study and Full-Scale System Implementation, MCAS Camp Pendleton, CA

Data from the treatability study was used to optimize the system to treat and dispose of the remaining volume of wastewater as expediently as possible. After evaluating study results and the initial PFAS concentrations in each UST system’s wastewater, full-scale treatment system operation was implemented for the remaining volume of wastewater.

“I’ve been extremely impressed with your crew. You were consummate professionals, and it was obvious you know what you were doing. The project went so smoothly that it has been briefed as one of MCIWEST’s shining moments this FY. I hope you are all extremely proud of your work.” – NAVFAC Southwest