Overview
Micropollutants (tiny and often trace-level chemical contaminants), including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), pose growing challenges to water treatment systems due to their persistence, toxicity, and resistance to degradation. While Sidon Water’s Integro™ excels at mitigating scale, corrosion, and fouling, its role in micropollutant removal is indirect but valuable.
What the Integro™ Does
The Integro™ is highly effective at:
- Preventing scale from calcium, magnesium, silica, and sulphates
- Inhibiting rust and corrosion in ferrous and galvanised infrastructure
- Keeping colloids suspended, reducing membrane fouling
- Lowering bio-fouling risk by limiting available iron and altering surface conditions
These functions optimise the performance of primary filtration and treatment units.
What the Integro™ Is Not Designed For
PFAS and other micropollutants are not removed by the Integro™, because they:
- Are non-ionic or weakly polar organic compounds
- Do not form scale or precipitates
- Are chemically stable, not affected by the redox chemistry used by the Integro™
Where the Integro™ Adds Value in PFAS Treatment Trains
| Area of Impact | Benefit |
| Pre-treatment for GAC/RO/AIX | Reduces scale, fouling and corrosion, enhancing effectiveness and lifespan of PFAS-targeting filters |
| System uptime | Fewer shutdowns due to membrane fouling or scaling |
| Water recovery rates | Improved due to cleaner RO and Ultrafiltration performance |
| Operational cost | Lower chemical demand, energy use, and backwashing frequency |
Recommended PFAS-Specific Technologies (To Use Alongside the Integro™)
- Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
- Anion Exchange Resins (AIX)
- Reverse Osmosis (RO)
- Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs)
Implementation Guidance
For sites dealing with both micropollutants and fouling issues, the recommended approach is:
- Install Integro™ units upstream of filtration systems to condition feedwater.
- Follow with PFAS-specific treatment technologies based on water quality objectives.
- Monitor scaling indices, differential pressures, and PFAS breakthrough curves to optimise performance.
Expanded Commentary
While the Sidon Integro™ is not designed to degrade or remove PFAS compounds directly, it plays a crucial supporting role in modern water treatment trains. PFAS, often termed ‘forever chemicals’, are especially difficult to treat due to their stability and resistance to typical chemical and biological processes. Technologies that can remove PFAS, such as granular activated carbon, ion exchange resins and high-pressure reverse osmosis, are highly sensitive to the condition of incoming water. Any fouling, scaling or particulate loading can drastically reduce their effectiveness and service life.
The Integro™ addresses this challenge by conditioning feedwater upstream. It achieves this through the targeted injection of electrons, which alters the redox state of dissolved metals and colloids. Calcium, magnesium and iron ions are reduced to their neutral state, preventing the formation of hard scale. Silica and alumina are converted to negatively charged colloids, remaining in suspension instead of adhering to surfaces. These effects collectively reduce the load on filtration membranes and adsorption media downstream.
For utilities and industrial operators tasked with removing PFAS, this means longer filter runtimes, improved recovery rates, and reduced operational disruptions. Membrane cleaning frequencies can be lowered, and fewer chemicals are required to keep systems running efficiently. This results in lower operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint.
Moreover, the Integro™ helps maintain system hygiene, making it harder for biofilms and iron-depositing bacteria to form. In complex treatment systems that already employ multiple stages, these small gains in stability and reliability add up to significant performance improvements.
Learn More
If your water treatment operation is facing challenges with scaling, fouling, or reduced performance in PFAS-targeting systems, it may be time to consider integrating Sidon’s Integro™ technology. Get in touch with our technical team to discuss how the Integro™ can complement your existing setup and improve overall system efficiency. For case studies, performance data or tailored design advice, contact Sidon Water today.
