Solutions for reducing PFAS emissions to coastal water

The COAST PFAS project brings together researchers, public authorities, municipalities and companies to reduce emissions of PFAS into coastal waters. The project aims to develop and demonstrate cost‑effective methods for identifying, concentrating and destructing PFAS at the source, as well as strengthening the decision‑making basis for more sustainable water management.

PFAS are a group of persistent chemicals found in water, sediments and biological systems worldwide. Reducing their spread requires new solutions that can both identify emission sources and effectively remove or destruct PFAS before the substances reach the environment.

COAST PFAS develops and demonstrates techniques for sampling, concentrating and destructing PFAS, with a focus on emissions from industrial activities and other significant sources. The project combines laboratory experiments, pilot‑scale demonstrations and system analyses to evaluate the environmental benefits, cost‑effectiveness and practical applicability of the technologies.

The project is carried out in collaboration between IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Örebro University, Chalmers University of Technology, Malmö municipality and VA SYD. IVL leads the project and is responsible for coordination and knowledge dissemination. An important part of the project is to examine how governance, allocation of responsibilities, economic incentives and behavioural change can help reduce PFAS at the source. Through collaboration with stakeholders along the entire chain from land to sea, the project will develop decision‑support tools, roadmaps and educational materials that can be used by municipalities, water and wastewater organisations, authorities and operators.

The project combines technological development, environmental systems analysis and social science research to support a long‑term transition towards reduced PFAS emissions.