Veolia Leads the Charge on PFAS Water Treatment in Delaware with Massive New Treatment Facility

Veolia’s new Delaware facility treats PAS-contaminated water for over 100,000 residents—setting a national example in clean water innovation.

Veolia, one of the largest private water providers in the U.S. (and also a French company), is making big waves in the battle against toxic PFAS chemicals and it's doing so years ahead of schedule. This week, the company unveiled a $35 million PFAS treatment plant in Stanton, Delaware, designed to purify drinking water for over 100,000 New Castle County residents.

And here’s the kicker: Veolia’s new system is meeting EPA regulations four years before the federal compliance deadline.

A Game-Changer for PFAS Water Treatment in Delaware

The new plant, roughly the size of a hockey rink and packed with 21 towering filters, can treat up to 30 million gallons of water a day. It’s Veolia’s largest PFAS facility in the U.S. and a key part of the company’s long-term plan to develop over 100 treatment sites nationwide through its BeyondPFAS service portfolio.

PFAS, nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment, have been linked to everything from cancer and thyroid disease to developmental delays in children. The chemicals are found in everyday items like nonstick pans, waterproof jackets, and even firefighting foam. In Delaware, high levels of PFAS have been detected in the Red Clay Creek, a source of drinking water for Veolia’s system.

Technology That Works Like a Magnet

The Stanton plant uses granular activated carbon, a tried-and-true technology that works like a magnet for PFAS. As water passes through, the carbon traps the chemicals, delivering clean, non-detectable PFAS levels at the tap. An on-site lab will also test new filtration media, potentially making treatment more effective and affordable in the future.

“We’re not just treating water—we’re building trust,” said Larry Finnicum, regional president of Veolia North America. “Our customers can rest assured we’ll be here for generations to come.”

National Push, Local Impact

Veolia’s push in the U.S. is no small effort. CEO Estelle Brachlianoff announced the company is targeting 50% growth in the U.S. market, fueled by growing public concern about PFAS and state-by-state regulations, even as the EPA has recently rolled back federal rules for some PFAS compounds.

In a recent survey, Veolia found that 70% of Americans are concerned about PFAS and want action. With lawsuits piling up against chemical giants like DuPont and 3M, water companies are increasingly being called on to step in and Veolia wants to lead the charge.

The Cost of Clean Water

Of course, big improvements come with a price tag. Veolia has asked the Delaware Public Service Commission for a 44% rate hike, which would raise the average monthly bill from $40 to about $59. Whether legal action will be taken to help offset those costs remains unclear. Still, officials say the investment is worth it.

“For families that can’t afford home filtration systems, this facility is critical,” said Delaware Governor Matt Meyer at the ribbon cutting. “This is about environmental justice and access to safe drinking water.”

What’s Next?

Veolia’s PFAS work in Delaware is just one part of a broader national strategy. The company has already launched its BeyondPFAS program, offering solutions like incineration, landfilling, and deep well injection. It’s also collaborating with the EPA on research to help shape new PFAS disposal guidelines—now scheduled to update annually instead of every three years.

As Brachlianoff put it: “We’re not the polluters—we’re the decontaminators. We’re here to move the needle in the right direction.”

Final Thought

It's interesting that a French company seems to be leading the way here. See the recent post on what's going on in France. Hopefully, more US based companies will jump on this bandwagon and start cleaning up their act.

If you have questions, anything to add to this topic, or have found anything related to PFAS that others should know, reach out and share it with me.

About the Author: Erik is the writer behind The Forever Chemical Files, a blog about living with less exposure to PFAS (forever chemicals). After seeing cancer affect his family, he set out to find safer, PFAS-free alternatives — and share what he learns along the way.