Delivering Clean Water for Environmental Drilling: A PFAS-Conscious Approach

Environmental Drilling at a PFAS-Impacted Site

The drillers were sourcing water from a standard connection to the municipal water supply at their shop to use at various project sites. But with increasing scrutiny on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), both the property owner and environmental consultant needed confidence that the water supplied for the drilling and sampling program wouldn’t introduce trace PFAS contamination into the monitoring wells. Even ultra-low levels of PFAS could compromise sample integrity and regulatory compliance.

Our Solution

VEI designed, supplied, and installed a compact, skid-mounted water treatment system. While the source municipal water is already treated, our system further polishes it – targeting trace levels of PFAS to support sampling programs that demand high confidence in water quality.

Portable Water Treatment System for PFAS Developed by VEI Contracting Inc.

Key features:

• 20 L/min treatment capacity with 14-minute EBCT (empty bed contact time)
• Compact footprint designed for shop installation
• Media selected for effective trace PFAS removal
• Simple operation with no pumps, electrical connections, or moving parts
• Low-maintenance and easy to monitor

The Result

With this system in place, the driller can now fill tanks on-site with treated water that meets their consultants’ standards – helping reduce the risk of introducing PFAS into environmental monitoring wells and soil samples.

Remote Access Monitoring Well Drilled and Installed with the Benefit of Water Treated Specifically to Remove PFAS

“We extend our gratitude to our partners at VEI for their invaluable assistance in bringing this industry request to fruition. We are now able to provide large quantities of PFAS-free water for our clients’ environmental drilling and sampling decontamination needs to ensure our water is not a source of negative bias.” – Jan Dean, VP at Strata Drilling Group

Why It Matters

For consultants, this system helps remove a potential source of PFAS. For drillers, it’s a forward-thinking solution that supports clean, compliant site work and builds trust with clients concerned about contamination. As PFAS regulations continue to evolve, having a water treatment system in place that alleviates concerns over PFAS cross-contamination is one way to stay ahead and protect data integrity.

For more information, please reach out to Ian Walton at iainw@vei.ca or (226) 220-0759.