Virginia Tech Leads Watershed PFAS Mitigation Project

A major research initiative from Virginia Tech is setting a new precedent for how water utilities can confront PFAS contamination—a persistent, complex issue affecting drinking water systems across the U.S. The project is centered on Northern Virginia’s Occoquan Reservoir, a vital source of drinking water for nearly one million residents in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

The reservoir has surpassed the EPA’s limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are linked to serious health risks, including cancer and developmental issues. But instead of approaching PFAS mitigation piecemeal, the Virginia Tech-led team is piloting a watershed-scale solution that addresses multiple sources of contamination simultaneously.

At the core of this effort is the “One Water” framework, which treats all aspects of the water cycle—stormwater, wastewater, and drinking water—as parts of a single interconnected system. This integrated approach moves away from the siloed methods utilities have traditionally used and opens the door to more coordinated, cost-effective mitigation strategies.

Backed by The Water Research Foundation and in partnership with regional water utilities like Fairfax Water, the initiative also includes participation from local governments, industry, and community stakeholders. By keeping collaboration central, the project is designed to deliver solutions that are both technically sound and responsive to community needs.

Modeling Tools Offer Insight into PFAS Source Control and Cost Management

One of the key challenges of PFAS mitigation is its complexity. These chemicals are introduced through a wide range of sources—from industrial discharge and wastewater treatment facilities to runoff from urban development. In the Occoquan system, contamination touches nearly every part of the watershed, including surface water, groundwater, and reclaimed water streams.

To make informed decisions, the Virginia Tech team is using advanced computer modeling tools to simulate various PFAS management scenarios. These tools allow researchers to test multiple approaches and evaluate both the potential water quality outcomes and the economic impacts for utilities and customers.

This modeling capability is critical not just for identifying the most effective treatments, but also for helping utilities understand the financial implications of each option. With many systems facing budget constraints and growing regulatory pressure, the ability to weigh costs and benefits before implementation is an essential part of long-term planning.