⎪ Water, wastewater and pumping solutions ⎪ Science-based PFAS regulation needed in SA Global infrastructure leader AECOM is urging the introduction of enforceable regulatory limits for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in South Africa, as a growing body of evidence highlights widespread PFAS detections across water systems and increasing divergence between existing local regulatory frameworks and internationally applied standards. F indings detailed in a new article authored by AECOM specialists across Africa and the United States indicate that polyfluoroalkyl sub-
management. “Utilities are facing a class of contaminants that current infrastructure was never designed to remove. Without regulatory drivers, there is limited incentive to invest in advanced treatment technolo- gies or implement upstream source control. This creates a cycle of continuous environ- mental contaminant loading.”
stances (PFAS), a large family of highly persistent and mobile fluorinated organic compounds, are being detected in surface water, groundwater, wastewater, drinking water, and even rainwater across multiple provinces. Anthony Mader, Senior Environmental Scientist at AECOM Africa and lead author, says that multiple lines of evidence point to a need for regulatory intervention. “South Africa is no longer dealing with isolated PFAS detections. A national assessment, supported by multiple site-specific scien- tific studies, shows persistent PFAS con- tamination across water systems, driven by multi-source inputs and governed by complex physicochemical fate and transport processes,” notes Mader. “Although direct comparisons between local and international datasets require cau- tion due to differences in analytical scope, at some hotspot locations across South Africa, concentrations exceed multiple interna- tional benchmarks, yet there is currently no enforceable regulatory framework to drive mitigation. Establishing clear, science-based limits is the most effective way to protect both public health and long-term water security,” he adds. PFAS are widely used in industrial processes Due to their surfactant properties and resistance to physical, biological and chemi- cal degradation, PFAS are widely used in industrial processes, firefighting foams and consumer products. These same fluorinated carbon chains confer resistance to degrada- tion and enable long-range transport and bioaccumulation, and therefore, incorpora- tion into food chains and ecosystems. The AECOM article highlights research showing that conventional wastewater treatment processes are largely ineffective at removing PFAS, particularly short-chain variants, which are increasingly dominant in South African water systems. Khathutshelo Netshiongolwe, lead of AECOM’s South Africa Environmental Data Management team and co-author, emphasised the implications for water
Global strengthening of PFAS regulatory frameworks
Globally, PFAS regulation tightened mark- edly between 2024 and 2026. The United States adopted enforceable standards in the nanogram-per-litre range; Australia and Canada lowered national guideline values; the European Union brought binding PFAS limits into force; and the UK strengthened PFAS policy, monitoring and regulatory frameworks. The AECOM article highlights that many South African water sources would exceed these thresholds if assessed under international standards. “PFAS regulation is rapidly evolving worldwide, with a clear shift toward group-based and mixture- based regulatory approaches,” comments Rosa Gwinn, Global PFAS Lead at AECOM and an AECOM Fellow. “South Africa has an opportunity to leapfrog legacy regulatory models by adopting a science led framework that reflects both global best practice and local conditions.” A pragmatic path forward The authors propose a multi-tier regulatory framework tailored to South Africa’s PFAS profile, combining individual compound limits with broader group-based controls. Key recommendations include a coordi- nated, science-based regulatory process; mandatory national monitoring based on accepted laboratory methods; targeted infrastructure upgrades in high-risk catch- ments; and the development of a national PFAS inventory. Globally, engineering demand is already shifting in response to global regula- tory pressure, with technologies such as granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis becoming essential components of modern water treatment systems. AECOM’s multidisciplinary PFAS practice combines advanced analytics, PFAS forensics, fate and transport and
Anthony Mader, senior environmental scientist at AECOM Africa.
Khathutshelo Netshiongolwe, AECOM’s lead environmental data manager for South Africa.
Rosa Gwinn, Global PFAS lead at AECOM.
source-pathway-receptor modelling, and treatment technologies to support clients in managing both legacy contamination and emerging risks. Addressing PFAS, according to the AECOM specialists, is not just a compliance issue but a long-term resilience challenge. By acting now, South Africa can align with global standards, protect critical water resources, and build infrastructure systems that are fit for the future, ultimately creat- ing sustainable legacies. https://aecom.com/en-za/
July-August 2026 • MechChem Africa ¦ 11
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