Largest facility of its kind in Northern California will remove PFAS from groundwater

Zone 7 Water Agency celebrated the grand opening of its new Chain of Lakes (COL) PFAS Treatment Facility today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, the largest facility of its kind in Northern California. The facility expands Zone 7’s commitment to delivering safe, clean drinking water to the Tri-Valley community, marking another milestone in the proactive management of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the region.

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in manufacturing a variety of consumer products including packaging, non-stick surfaces, fire-fighting foams and more. PFAS have been found in the air, soil and water throughout the U.S. and around the world. Though water districts are not responsible for releasing PFAS into the environment, they have been tasked with removing PFAS from affected water sources. Ion Exchange treatment is one proven method of removing PFAS from water.

The COL PFAS Treatment Facility utilizes state-of-the-art Ion Exchange (IX) technology, capable of treating up to 10 million gallons of water per day. Tanks filled with small ion exchange resins attract the PFAS in the water which stay attached to the resins, while H2O molecules of water pass through leaving clean, safe water for homes and businesses. 

“Addressing PFAS contamination is critical as these persistent chemicals pose ongoing challenges for water agencies nationwide,” said Zone 7 Water Agency General Manager Valerie Pryor. “Zone 7 is committed to proactively installing the most up-to-date technology to address this issue as part of our commitment to delivering safe, high-quality water. This new Chain of Lakes facility marks a critical investment in safeguarding water quality for the Tri-Valley community and demonstrates Zone 7’s proactive approach to managing emerging contaminants.”

The Chain of Lakes facility follows the successful opening of the Stoneridge Well IX Treatment Facility, operational since September 2023. Construction on the next facility, at Mocho Wellfield, is scheduled to begin design work in 2025, further strengthening Zone 7’s infrastructure for future generations.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony also included remarks from Alec W. Naugle, senior engineering geologist at the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Board, and Matthew Bates, Assistant Division Manager of the California’s Department of Water Resources’ Division of Regional Assistance. Staff representing U.S. Representatives Eric Swalwell and Mark DeSaulnier, State Senator Jerry McNerney and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan presented the Agency with Certificates of Recognition. Local elected officials and community leaders in attendance also toured the new facility, including Staff from Assemblymember Liz Ortega’s office, San Ramon Mayor Mark Armstrong and Councilmember Richard Adler, Dublin Councilmember Michael McCorriston, Livermore Mayor John Marchand, Vice Mayor Evan Branning and Councilmember Kristie Wang, Pleasanton Councilmember Craig Eichler and Dublin San Ramon Services District Directors Georgean Vonheeder-Leopold and Arun Goel.

Learn more about Zone 7’s efforts to address PFAS and explore Ion Exchange technology at zone7water.com/pfas 

B-roll and high-resolution photos are available for media use. Interviews can be arranged with participants, organizers or community leaders to discuss the event’s impact and why it matters to the local community.
 
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Picture 1 - Ribbon Cutting with Zone 7 Water board members pictured left to right ( Sarah Palmer, Sandy Figuers, Dawn Benson, Dennis Gambs,President, and Kathy Narum)
 
Picture 2 Chain of Lakes PFAS Treatment Facility Project representatives pictured left to right (Representative of Carollo, Zone 7 Water Agency General Manager Valerie Pryor, Matthew Bates, Ken Minn, Representative of Mountain Cascade,Inc.)