Piedmont Triad Taps Advanced Tech to Fight 'Forever Chemicals' in Water

RANDLEMAN, NC – June 16, 2026 – In a significant strategic move to safeguard public health and secure its region's water supply, the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA) has awarded a major project to ROTEC USA. The partnership will see the implementation of a state-of-the-art water purification system at the John F. Kime Water Treatment Plant (JFK WTP), aimed directly at combating the growing threat of PFAS "forever chemicals" and other persistent industrial contaminants.

This decision marks a pivotal moment for a region grappling with water quality concerns and positions PTRWA as a forward-thinking utility in the national fight against emerging contaminants. The project involves deploying ROTEC’s proprietary Flow Reversal Reverse Osmosis (FR-RO) technology, a solution chosen after successful pilot testing to not only purify drinking water but also to manage the significant expansion of the treatment plant’s capacity.

A Proactive Strike Against a Persistent Threat

The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. North Carolina has been described by environmental experts as “ground zero” for contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a family of thousands of man-made chemicals known for their extreme persistence in the environment and links to serious health issues. Recent data from the Environmental Working Group indicated that water for at least 2.5 million North Carolinians is contaminated with PFAS at levels exceeding new federal standards, with PTRWA's system among those identified.

This project directly confronts that reality. The new FR-RO equipment is designed to remove not only PFAS but also 1,4-dioxane, a likely human carcinogen commonly found in industrial byproducts. The decision to invest in such advanced treatment follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's landmark April 2024 ruling, which established the first-ever legally enforceable national drinking water standards for several PFAS compounds. This regulation puts utilities on a tight schedule, requiring them to monitor for these chemicals by 2027 and implement solutions to reduce them by 2029.

By moving forward now, PTRWA is not merely complying with future mandates but is proactively addressing a known risk. “PTRWA is taking a forward-looking approach to advanced water treatment, and we are extremely proud to support this important project,” said Bruce Alderman, CEO of ROTEC USA. He noted that the successful pilot demonstrated the technology's value for utilities facing these specific emerging contaminants.

The Technological Edge: Flow Reversal's Strategic Advantage

At the heart of this strategic shift is ROTEC's innovative technology. While conventional reverse osmosis (RO) is a proven method for removing contaminants, it often faces challenges with efficiency and waste. Traditional systems can be prone to scaling and fouling, which limits water recovery rates to around 75%, requires frequent chemical cleanings, and produces a large volume of contaminated brine that must be disposed of—a costly and environmentally challenging proposition.

ROTEC’s Flow Reversal system redesigns this process. By periodically reversing the direction of the saline flow within the membrane arrays, the technology disrupts the buildup of scale and biofilm. This simple but powerful innovation allows the system to operate at recovery rates exceeding 96%. For the JFK WTP, this translates to a massive strategic advantage: more clean water is generated from every gallon drawn from Randleman Lake, and the volume of PFAS-laden brine is dramatically reduced, making it a smaller, more manageable waste stream.

“Our system will give PTRWA the flexibility to operate across a wide range of production rates, while simultaneously reducing cleaning frequency and minimizing the volume of brine that must be managed downstream,” Alderman explained. This efficiency is critical, as it lowers long-term operational costs and reduces the environmental footprint of the treatment process itself. Furthermore, the robust barrier created by the FR-RO system is capable of filtering out a broader range of future threats, including pharmaceuticals and nanoplastics, effectively future-proofing the region's water supply against contaminants that may be regulated down the line.

A Future-Proof Investment for Regional Growth

This project is about more than just contaminant removal; it's a cornerstone of PTRWA's larger strategy to support the Piedmont Triad's continued growth. The JFK WTP is currently operating near its capacity of 14.7 million gallons per day (MGD). This expansion, a collaborative effort with engineering firm HDR and construction company Crowder, will nearly double the plant's finished water capacity to 26.7 MGD, with long-range plans for an ultimate capacity of 48 MGD.

This increased capacity is essential for the economic and demographic vitality of Randolph and Guilford Counties. By investing in a resilient and high-quality water supply, PTRWA is laying the groundwork for future residential and commercial development. The ability to provide safe, reliable water is a fundamental component of regional competitiveness.

Gregory Flory, Executive Director of the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority, emphasized this long-term vision. "PTRWA is committed to providing high-quality drinking water while planning responsibly for the region's long-term needs," he stated. "We look forward to the continued collaboration with ROTEC, HDR, and Crowder as PTRWA advances a treatment solution that supports our long-term planning and water quality goals."

This investment signals a clear understanding that modern infrastructure is not just about pipes and pumps, but about sophisticated systems that can adapt to evolving environmental challenges and secure a community's most vital resource.