Fluorend / Sectors / Water treatment
Water treatment · Utilities · Industrial waterSpent resin & GAC disposal
PFAS-loaded ion-exchange resin and spent activated carbon from drinking water, private supplies and industrial water treatment. We take the media off your hands and see it destroyed by high-temperature incineration in the UK, so the PFAS is gone, not moved. Collection, paperwork and certificate of destruction through one company.
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What we take
Why it matters now
- Mar 2025Guidance
The DWI expects a disposal policy. Water companies in England and Wales monitor the sum of 48 named PFAS. Results fall into three tiers: below 0.01 µg/L, below 0.1 µg/L, and 0.1 µg/L or above. Companies using GAC or ion exchange should have regeneration or replacement policies and, where PFAS treatment is used, a policy for decommissioning and disposal of PFAS-contaminated products.
Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate: Guidance specific to PFAS in drinking water, v1.1, March 2025 (PDF); Defra: PFAS Plan, updated 17 Aug 2026
- Aug 2026Planned
A statutory limit is coming. The PFAS Plan says the government will consult on introducing a statutory limit for PFAS into public water supply regulations.
- 24 Sep 2025Evidence
Why incineration. The Environment Agency's evidence review found high-temperature incineration can achieve destruction efficiencies above 99.99% for PFAS in firefighting foams at 1,100 °C with a 2–3 second residence time. It calls it the only proven method for large-scale PFAS destruction. Activated carbon and ion exchange don't destroy PFAS; they leave PFAS-rich residuals.
Source: Environment Agency: Rapid evidence assessment of PFAS incineration, 24 Sep 2025
- May 2025In force
POPs waste must be destroyed. Waste at or above the POPs limits is POPs waste, and the POPs in it must be destroyed or irreversibly transformed. Limits include PFOS 50 mg/kg; PFOA and its salts 1 mg/kg (0.025 mg/kg in firefighting foam mixtures); PFHxS and its salts 1 mg/kg. Mixing doesn't help: a mixed load must be managed as POPs waste, even if the mixing diluted it below the limit.
Source: Environment Agency: Identify and classify waste containing POPs, updated 8 May 2025
Rules last checked 30 October 2026. Proposals can change before they become law. Outside England, rules differ: tell us your site postcode.
How it works
Questions
What are the DWI's PFAS tiers?
Tier 1 is below 0.01 µg/L, Tier 2 below 0.1 µg/L, and Tier 3 is 0.1 µg/L or above. Concentrations of 0.1 µg/L or more must be reported to the DWI as a water quality event.
Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate: Guidance specific to PFAS in drinking water, v1.1, March 2025 (PDF); Defra: PFAS Plan, updated 17 Aug 2026
Does the DWI say anything about disposing of treatment media?
Yes. Where PFAS treatment is used, the company should have a policy for decommissioning and disposal of PFAS-contaminated products, alongside its GAC and ion-exchange regeneration or replacement policies.
Source: Drinking Water Inspectorate: Guidance specific to PFAS in drinking water, v1.1, March 2025 (PDF)
Does GAC or resin destroy PFAS?
No. They capture it. The Environment Agency says they generate PFAS-rich residuals that must be carefully managed to prevent re-release.
Source: Environment Agency: Rapid evidence assessment of PFAS incineration, 24 Sep 2025
Is spent media POPs waste?
Only if PFOS, PFOA or PFHxS are at or above the POPs limits; analysis decides. Destroying the media removes the risk of re-release either way.
Source: Environment Agency: Identify and classify waste containing POPs, updated 8 May 2025; Environment Agency: Rapid evidence assessment of PFAS incineration, 24 Sep 2025
Can spent GAC be reactivated instead?
Some carbon is reactivated. Whether a reactivation plant will take PFAS-loaded carbon is a case-by-case question. When you want the PFAS destroyed rather than moved, we take it.
Do you handle bulk bags?
Yes. Resin and GAC are usually collected in bulk bags. Tell us the number of bags and the weight.
More answers on the PFAS waste FAQ.
Get it off site
Tell us the waste type, quantity and site postcode. We check it for acceptance and send a fixed, all-in quote within 2 working days. Small lots welcome.