Riverbank Filtration Facilities Observe PFAS Genealogies Bypassing Natural Attenuation

PFAS chemicals are getting past riverbank filtration systems, which is bad news for populations that depend on surface water that has been naturally filtered

Saturday, September 6, 2025 - People who rely on riverbank filtration systems for drinking water are becoming more and more worried. People have long thought that these systems, which exploit the natural flow of water through riverbed soils to remove pollutants before they get into wells or intakes, are good at getting rid of pathogens and many chemical pollutants. But new research shows that PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, are getting past these natural defenses. Experts say that "PFAS genealogies," which are the many different types of related chemicals that have different chain lengths and behaviors, are a big reason why filtration isn't working. Short-chain PFAS, in particular, move through soil faster and are less likely to stick to sediments, which makes them difficult to filter naturally. People who live in areas that use riverbank filtration may suddenly be accidentally exposed. Environmental activists and PFAS cancer lawyers say that this increased awareness could lead to a new type of PFAS in drinking water lawsuit. These would probably go after businesses that cause pollution upstream and government organizations that haven't updated their water safety rules based on new information.

The U.S. Geological Survey says that many riverside filtration systems were not built with PFAS in mind and cannot get rid of these very long-lasting chemicals. The government conducted a field research in 2024 and discovered that even when water flowed through several meters of riverbank silt, the levels of PFAS stayed almost the same. This was notably true for shorter-chain compounds that are now extensively employed instead of older, phased-out chemicals. These results are concerning because riverbank filtration is frequently thought of as a cheap, passive way to purify water that small villages, rural utilities, and even some big cities use. These systems don't do much to guard against PFAS unless you spend a lot of money on improvements like advanced carbon filtering or reverse osmosis. It gets even more complicated because the whole variety of PFAS compounds--thought to number in the thousands--hasn't been fully investigated or controlled yet. A lot of these chemicals don't break down easily, and regular tests might not be able to find them. Researchers are telling water companies to test for PFAS more often and for a wider range of types. Some states are now pushing for temporary filtration methods, such as putting activated carbon beds at intake locations. Others are working on upstream limits on industrial discharges. Still, experts say that solutions that involve rules and technology are likely to be behind the problem unless the federal government puts a lot more money into it.

The fact that PFAS may get around riverbank filtering processes, which used to be thought of as one of the safest natural ways to clean water, is a big warning sign. It illustrates that these substances have gotten ahead of both rules and infrastructure. Communities that felt they were safe may suddenly be at risk of long-term exposure, especially if short-chain PFAS continue to be popular.

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