A Florida Pilot Takes Aim at “Forever Chemicals”

Orlando is piloting a new clean-tech system with 374Water that could change how cities eliminate PFAS from wastewater sludge

17 May 2025

The City of Orlando has begun testing a new approach to one of wastewater treatment’s most persistent problems: how to safely manage sludge contaminated with PFAS, a class of chemicals known for their durability and health risks. In partnership with the clean-technology company 374Water, the city launched a 90-day pilot program in May at the Iron Bridge Water Reclamation Facility, a major hub in the region’s wastewater system.

The project centers on 374Water’s supercritical water oxidation technology, which applies extreme heat and pressure to break down organic compounds. Under those conditions, PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they resist natural degradation, are converted into simpler, benign substances such as water and carbon dioxide, according to the company. Utilities have struggled to eliminate PFAS completely, relying instead on containment or disposal methods that can shift contamination rather than destroy it.

City officials and company representatives describe the effort as a test of whether emerging technologies can move beyond laboratory or limited trials and operate reliably in a municipal setting. The Orlando pilot is designed to assess performance, operational compatibility and regulatory viability at a scale relevant to large utilities.

Federal support through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund is helping finance the project, reflecting broader national interest in finding scalable solutions for sludge treatment as environmental standards tighten. The Environmental Protection Agency has increased scrutiny of PFAS in recent years, prompting utilities to explore alternatives that go beyond landfilling or incineration.
374Water has reported high destruction rates, exceeding 99 percent for certain PFAS compounds, in smaller deployments. The Orlando trial marks a step toward evaluating whether those results can be replicated consistently in day-to-day operations at a major wastewater facility.

For municipalities across the country, the outcome could carry wider implications. Many utilities face rising costs and regulatory pressure, while aging infrastructure limits their options. Partnerships that pair public systems with private innovation are increasingly seen as a way to accelerate solutions without waiting for long-term capital overhauls.

If the pilot proves successful, officials say it could inform future investment and adoption decisions, both in Orlando and elsewhere. The results may help determine whether advanced treatment technologies can play a larger role in addressing PFAS, a challenge likely to shape wastewater policy and practice in the years ahead.