University of Rhode Island

Delivering Design-Build Interim PFAS Treatment System

The University of Rhode Island (URI) owns and operates a public water system (PWS) that serves approximately 17,000 students on its Kingston Campus. The State of Rhode Island’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Drinking Water, Groundwater, and Surface Waters Act required monitoring for all public water services to begin on or before July 1, 2023, with an interim Maximum Contaminant Level of 20 parts per trillion (ppt). URI sampled the water supply in June and July 2023, finding PFAS concentrations of 29 ppt. URI sought to address the detectable levels of PFAS quickly to reduce exposure to students and the community.

URI sought and received approval to expedite a qualifications-based selection process, hiring Woodard & Curran under a design-build contract with construction partner Hart Companies. The contract to design, permit, construct, startup, and commission an interim PFAS treatment system was signed in December 2023, and within nine months the design-build team delivered the project that has successfully reduced PFAS to non-detectable levels and laid the foundational work for a permanent treatment solution.

Identifying the right treatment option

After an initial evaluation of options including bottled water distribution, blending sources, a new water source, and point of use filtration, the university opted for a centralized treatment solution utilizing granular activated carbon (GAC). Woodard & Curran led the pilot testing of GAC, as well as greensand to address elevated iron and manganese levels. Further analysis was done through rapid small scale column testing (RSSCT) to assess GAC media life, anticipated replacement frequency, and the associated cost. This provided the basis for designing an interim system to remove PFAS and the permanent treatment system that will utilize a combination of GAC and greensand.

As the project moved forward, Woodard & Curran worked with the client and all key stakeholders to ensure transparency, which included access to submittals, permit approvals, plans, specs, and other project records through an on-line document management system. The success of the design-build team was in large part due to these open lines of communication and weekly schedule and project update meetings between the owner, owner’s project manager, engineers, contractors, and various vendors.

Working smart

The contract was executed with a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). However, as work progressed, it became apparent to the project team that expanding the scope would lay the foundation for success in the next phase of the project aimed at creating a permanent, long-term treatment solution. There was a long lead time for procuring the GAC pressure vessels, which is expected to become longer as more water suppliers are required to address PFAS in drinking water under the EPA’s National Drinking Water Standards. In partnership with URI, the decision was made to procure two additional GAC vessels under this contract to eliminate the impact of extended lead times on future phases of work. The interim system design included piping that will easily incorporate the additional treatment vessels.

Additionally, the team expanded its scope to include design, permitting, and site work for both the interim and permanent facilities. This included stormwater controls for the permanent system. While it was an additional, agreed-to expense beyond the GMP, incorporating this work into the interim facility phase will prove to be an overall cost savings for URI and will significantly streamline permitting efforts for the permanent facility.

GAC Vessels

Treatment Building

New Facility Tour

DBIA New England

2024 Gold Design-Build Award

Setting precedent in the Ocean State

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act has provided significant funding for addressing PFAS in drinking water for suppliers across the country. However, the project at URI received $20 million from the Rhode Island Capital Plan and is the first municipal-scale PFAS removal treatment system in the state. While being the first did not come without challenges, it presented an opportunity for Woodard & Curran to work with state agencies, help them understand the various approaches to PFAS treatment, and effectively create a model for other Rhode Island water suppliers to follow.

According to an article published in The Providence Journal on December 9, 2024, officials with other water suppliers in the state have visited URI’s interim PFAS treatment facility and URI plans to open the site up to students and scientists who want to understand how the treatment system works. The interim PFAS treatment facility was also recognized with a 2024 Gold Award during the Design-Build Institute of America New England Regional Annual Meeting and Awards Event on January 30, 2025.

Project Team

Rob Little PE National Practice Leader Drinking Water
Rebecca Paustian PE Project Engineer Drinking Water

Got PFAS in your Water Supply?

Woodard & Curran Can Help

Our drinking water and fiscal solutions team are ready to tailor solutions for you.

Learn More

Scroll back to top of the page