Emerging Contaminants & PFAS

The Challenge

PFAS and other emerging contaminants represent a growing threat to water quality and long-term public health—impacting drinking water, wastewater, and ecosystems across the country.

With federal and state regulations evolving rapidly, utilities and municipalities must act fast to address these “forever chemicals.” But traditional mitigation tools and delivery mechanisms can be costly, inconsistent, and operationally inefficient, putting added pressure on public agencies to find smarter, faster solutions.

The Solution

At CIP, we build comprehensive PFAS programs that are driven by performance, not convention. From initial diagnostics to system delivery and performance monitoring, our team delivers end-to-end program execution tailored to each community’s needs. We evaluate a number of filtration media solutions including GAC, resins, or new innovations like Smart Sponge® Quanta to ensure each program delivers the best real-world outcomes at the lowest lifecycle cost.

We oversee every element of program delivery, including feasibility, engineering, procurement and construction—partnering with pre-qualified local firms whenever possible. Each program is structured to maximize available funding, meet current and future compliance standards, and accelerate results through a performance-based model.

Our Approach

We don’t believe in cookie-cutter engineering. Our PFAS programs are designed with agility, precision, and public health impact in mind and are delivered through fast-track structures that prioritize accountability and measurable success.

Instead of defaulting to oversized, over-engineered systems, we evaluate what communities actually need by reviewing existing conditions, treatment goals, lifecycle costs, and funding eligibility. The result is a high-impact, performance-driven strategy that maximizes available infrastructure bill grants, state funding, and SRF resources during this limited window of opportunity.

We help clients navigate the full regulatory landscape tied to long-term compliance, while securing the grants, low-cost financing, and incentive dollars needed to build smarter. Our team identifies every fundable component, aligns designs to funding criteria, and structures delivery in a way that reduces local financial burden and accelerates reimbursement.

We don’t push unnecessary equipment or oversized systems—we deliver solutions that perform. From procurement through commissioning, we manage the entire process with a focus on lower costs, reliable operations, and measurable outcomes. If it doesn’t cut capex, reduce OpEx, or strengthen funding eligibility, it doesn’t make the cut.

CIP supports the full evaluation, procurement, and implementation of filtration media ranging from traditional GAC and ion exchange resins to next-generation materials. One of our strategic technology partners is Abtech Industries, whose Smart Sponge® Quanta media has demonstrated exceptional PFAS removal performance in field testing. Where appropriate, we offer clients access to this innovation as part of a broader filtration solution that balances efficacy, cost, and operational impact.

Each program includes data-driven monitoring tools that track system performance and ensure compliance, transparency, and continuous improvement. Communities get precisely what they were promised, and we can prove it.

Media Innovation in Action: Smart Sponge® Quanta

CIP’s relationship with Abtech Industries gives clients access to Smart Sponge® Quanta, a proprietary PFAS filtration media that has shown best-in-class results in third-party testing. While not the only option we deploy, Quanta has proven to be a game-changer for utilities seeking lower lifecycle costs, higher throughout, and superior PFAS removal compared to GAC or resins.

Removal Performance

Reduces PFOS, PFOA, and PFBS from 478 ppt to non-detect (<1.0 ppt), outperforming GAC/resins by orders of magnitude.

Extended Media Life

Fewer changeouts, lower maintenance costs, and minimized operational downtime.

Superior Flow Rates

Operates at up to 40 GPM—far exceeding GAC and resin systems (5–12 GPM).

Low System Strain

<1 PSI of back pressure reduces energy costs and wear-and-tear on infrastructure.

Learn More About Smart Sponge Filtration Solutions

Media Innovation in Action: Smart Sponge® Quanta

Ready to Build a Smarter PFAS Program?

Ready to Build a
Smarter PFAS Program?