PFAS solution for U.S. Air Force Base in Interior Alaska

When Eielson Air Force Base, located in the interior of Alaska, found high levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in its drinking water, it needed a solution that was effective, cost-efficient, and operable in extreme temperatures.

Eielson AFB occupies more than 63,000 acres of land about 26 miles southeast of Fairbanks and about 110 miles south of the Arctic Circle. Roughly 2,500 members of the U.S. military work at Eielson, and nearly 2,000 military and family members live on base. In 2015, a sampling of the base’s drinking water revealed levels of PFOA and PFOS that were above the established U.S. EPA drinking water health advisory.

Eielson AFB chose bituminous re-­agglomerated activated carbon to address PFAS contamination.

PFOA and PFOS are part of a group of organic fluorinated substances (PFAS) that have been used to make water-, stain-, and grease-resistant products. PFOA and PFOS are also present in the firefighting foam used at airfields for accidents and training.

With guidance from the EPA to remove PFAS from the water supply, the base began looking for the most effective, cost-efficient solutions. After considering different options — like coconut-based activated carbon and an ion exchange single-pass system — Eielson decided to pursue bituminous re-agglomerated activated carbon. After testing, it was determined that Calgon Carbon’s FILTRASORB 400 and Model 10 GAC adsorption systems were the ideal choice for contaminant-free drinking water.

An ambitious delivery schedule, extreme temperatures, limited daylight, and a constrained footprint made for a challenging installation. However, Calgon Carbon’s experienced field service team delivered and completed the project without issue.

After installing two GAC Model 10 systems and seeing great success, the base added two additional systems in 2017. Since then, all levels of PFAS have been undetectable. WW

Calgon Carbon is exhibiting at ACE19, booth 3403. Learn more at www.calgoncarbon.com.

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