Clean Harbors Secures $110 Million in Hawaii PFAS Water Filtration Contracts
Clean Harbors, a leading provider of environmental and industrial services across North America, announced today that it has been awarded contracts totaling $110 million over the next three years to expand its PFAS water filtration work at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) in Hawaii. This expansion builds on the company’s existing operations in Hawaii, where its regenerative carbon filtration and resin units have been in use since 2022.
The projects will be carried out in collaboration with logistics partner V2X, and will significantly enhance Clean Harbors’ ability to provide clean, safe water for military personnel while addressing the ongoing environmental challenge posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals, which are highly persistent in the environment, have been linked to health risks and are notoriously difficult to remove from water supplies.
Eric Gerstenberg, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Clean Harbors, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the expansion. “We are excited to grow our relationship with V2X and the U.S. War Department at JBPHH,” he said. “For the past several years, our regenerative carbon filtration system in Pearl Harbor has been helping provide potable water that is free from PFAS contamination. We are proud to continue this work to protect the health and safety of America’s service members from the potential harm of these chemicals. With this latest contract, we will roughly double the size of what was already the largest water filtration system installation in Clean Harbors’ history.”
Under the new agreements, Clean Harbors will take responsibility for filtering approximately 4.2 million gallons of water per day at JBPHH. The company will work closely with both V2X and the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) to ensure that the expanded system meets the unique requirements of the base. Clean Harbors’ team has been instrumental in designing the custom system, completing its phased installation, and maintaining full operational control to ensure consistent, safe water quality.
Mike Battles, Co-Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the broader significance of Clean Harbors’ PFAS solutions. “PFAS contamination is a widespread challenge,” he noted. “Whether at military bases, airports, firefighting schools, or certain industrial sites, PFAS from AFFF firefighting foam and other applications can leach into groundwater, creating a serious threat to drinking water supplies. Our work at JBPHH is just one example of how Clean Harbors addresses this issue with comprehensive, large-scale solutions.”
In addition to regenerative carbon filtration, Clean Harbors has developed a full suite of services under its “Total PFAS Solution,” which addresses all stages of PFAS management. This includes chemical analysis, water filtration, site remediation, and safe disposal, including thermal destruction. According to Battles, Clean Harbors remains the only company capable of delivering end-to-end PFAS solutions at commercial scale. “We’re proud to collaborate with the U.S. War Department, V2X, and other partners to tackle this critical environmental issue while protecting both community and military health,” he said.
Clean Harbors’ regenerative carbon filtration system has proven highly effective in removing PFAS from drinking water. The system utilizes a combination of advanced carbon media and resin technologies that capture and remove contaminants efficiently. The process is designed to operate continuously, providing reliable and safe water output without disruption to base operations. With the new contracts, the company will scale this technology to meet the increased demand, essentially doubling the filtration capacity of its existing systems.
The partnership with V2X has been central to the project’s success. V2X provides specialized logistics support, helping to ensure that the equipment, materials, and technical expertise required for the installation and operation of the PFAS filtration systems are delivered on time and efficiently. Together, Clean Harbors and V2X have established a model for large-scale, collaborative environmental solutions that could be applied to other military bases and industrial sites facing similar contamination challenges.
Beyond the operational benefits, Clean Harbors’ work at JBPHH represents a significant contribution to the health and safety of U.S. service members. PFAS exposure has been linked to various adverse health effects, including developmental, immune, and hormonal impacts. By removing these contaminants from drinking water supplies, Clean Harbors helps mitigate these risks and ensures that military personnel and their families have access to safe, high-quality water.
Clean Harbors’ leadership in environmental services is rooted in decades of experience managing complex industrial and hazardous waste challenges. The company has consistently invested in technology and expertise to provide sustainable solutions for water treatment, chemical management, and environmental remediation. Its work on PFAS filtration is an extension of this commitment, applying advanced technologies to a problem of growing national and global concern.
Looking ahead, Clean Harbors plans to continue refining its PFAS treatment technologies and expanding its services to other locations across North America. The company’s ability to deliver scalable, end-to-end solutions positions it uniquely in the marketplace and reinforces its reputation as a trusted partner for government agencies, municipalities, and industrial clients.
“With these new contracts at JBPHH, we are taking another significant step in our mission to address PFAS contamination,” said Gerstenberg. “This project demonstrates that large-scale, effective solutions are possible when industry expertise, advanced technology, and collaborative partnerships come together. We are proud to continue our work protecting both the environment and public health.”
The $110 million projects at JBPHH underscore Clean Harbors’ leadership in environmental and industrial services while highlighting the urgent need for effective PFAS management. As awareness of PFAS risks continues to grow, the company’s comprehensive approach—from analysis and filtration to remediation and safe disposal—offers a blueprint for addressing these persistent chemicals in communities and facilities across the country.
By combining advanced technology, operational excellence, and strong partnerships, Clean Harbors is not only expanding its capacity in Hawaii but also setting a new standard for environmental stewardship in the treatment of PFAS-contaminated water.
Source Link : https://www.businesswire.com/
