US Wetlands Restoration With PFAS Sewage

Across the United States, municipalities have embraced a controversial method for restoring degraded wetlands—pumping them full of treated wastewater effluent. The practice is often labeled “green” and “sustainable,” a lifeline for dried-up swamps and parched rivers. But lurking beneath the environmental marketing lies a toxic reality. The effluent used in these restorations routinely carries dangerous levels of PFAS—persistent industrial chemicals known for their potential to harm both human health and ecosystems.

Effluent: A Resource with Hidden Risks

Effluent, the liquid output of wastewater treatment plants, is rich in nutrients and low in pathogens. These qualities make it attractive for ecological projects. Cities and counties use it to replenish wetlands, rivers, and even drinking water aquifers. Yet the treatment process does not remove the vast array of synthetic chemicals that enter the sewage system—including PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

PFAS have earned the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment. Instead, they accumulate in water, soil, and living organisms. Exposure has been linked to cancer, liver and kidney damage, high cholesterol, developmental issues, and weakened immune response.

A Practice Gaining Traction Nationwide

Many large-scale wetland and river restoration projects now rely on effluent. Louisiana, for example, uses it to rehabilitate the bayou and combat coastal erosion. In Florida, similar programs support the Everglades. Southwestern states also depend heavily on effluent—rivers like the Trinity near Dallas and the Los Angeles and Santa Ana in California now run almost entirely on treated wastewater.

But this “green” water is not as benign as it appears. “There’s a huge dark side to this whole business of municipalities using effluent that’s carrying loads of PFAS and other toxic materials and calling it ‘wetland restoration’,” said James Aronson, president of the Ecological Health Network. “It’s truly the worst kind of lying to the public.”

Drinking Water Implications

The impact of this approach extends beyond ecosystems. In Orange County, California, officials use effluent to recharge an aquifer that supplies drinking water for 2.5 million residents. At the same time, the region is spending $1.8 billion to remove contaminants like PFAS from the same aquifer. Testing at 200 wastewater plants across California found PFAS levels in effluent that were often thousands of times higher than EPA safety thresholds.

The ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Culture

The wastewater industry continues to promote effluent reuse under banners like “recycling” and “conservation,” but environmental advocates argue these terms obscure the truth. Effluent is not only laced with PFAS, but also microplastics, heavy metals, and other hazardous pollutants.

Laura Orlando, a civil engineer with the nonprofit Just Zero, said, “There’s lots of hype about recycling and such, but nothing about public health, because they’re following the rules – which are not protective of public or ecosystem health.”

The absence of regulations regarding PFAS and similar chemicals means that treated sewage often ends up in sensitive habitats unchecked. According to Orlando, “It’s a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ issue.”

Health Effects on Wildlife

Scientific understanding of PFAS impacts on wildlife remains limited. However, incidents from polluted wetlands in North Carolina have raised red flags. There, PFAS contamination was associated with autoimmune symptoms in alligators and immune suppression in pelicans.

Aronson warns that the damage is far-reaching: “We’re talking about ecosystem health. It’s the food web, and soil, animal, and water interactions – everything gets degraded and poisoned, and it’s the opposite of restoration.”

Constructed Wetlands: A Promising Alternative?

Some experts propose a more cautious approach using constructed wetlands. These are engineered systems where water flow can be controlled, and specially selected plants are used to absorb PFAS and other toxins. These plants would then need to be treated as hazardous waste.

While such methods offer promise, they are not yet widely adopted. “Unless you acknowledge the problem you can’t fix the problem,” said Orlando. “We have to examine these words like ‘clean’ and ‘safe’.”

Reverse Osmosis and Water Conditioners: A Protective Measure for Your Home

As PFAS and other contaminants seep into drinking water supplies, communities are turning to reverse osmosis (RO) filtration and whole-home water conditioners for protection. RO systems force water through a membrane that removes PFAS and other impurities. Meanwhile, whole-home water conditioners can treat water at the point it enters a home, improving safety across all taps and appliances.

These technologies, while costly, are essential in areas where recycled wastewater effluent is part of the water supply chain. They offer a crucial line of defense against the invisible chemicals flowing from treatment plants into homes.

Source: The Guardian