Delaware Plant Signals New Era in Water Cleanup

Veolia's $35M Stanton facility treats 30M gallons daily, anchoring its push to 100 US PFAS sites by 2029

23 Jun 2025

Veolia has opened a large PFAS treatment facility in Wilmington, Delaware, marking a step in the private sector’s response to chemical contamination in US water systems.

The $35mn Stanton Water Treatment Plant, commissioned in June 2025, is designed to supply drinking water to more than 100,000 residents. The company said the site reflects a broader effort to expand its presence in a growing remediation market.

The 17,600-square-foot facility contains 42 granular activated carbon vessels, each standing 22 feet high. The system can process up to 30mn gallons of water a day from two nearby rivers, reducing regulated PFAS, a group of persistent industrial chemicals, to below detectable levels. Veolia described the plant as one of the largest of its kind in the north-eastern US and a model for similar projects.

The Delaware site forms part of Veolia’s BeyondPFAS programme, which combines testing, treatment and disposal services. The company operates 33 such systems in the US and aims to exceed 100 sites by 2029, extending coverage to about 2mn people.

Chief executive Estelle Brachlianoff said the project aligned with plans to expand in the US market, targeting 50 per cent growth as regulatory pressure increases. Speaking at a US Chamber of Commerce event in June 2025, she said new rules were driving investment. “US PFAS regulations are generating what she called a high wave of investment,” she said.

The expansion follows tighter standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency for chemicals such as PFOA and PFOS. Water utilities must meet maximum contaminant limits by 2029 or face enforcement measures, including public notification and remedial action.

Veolia has sought to recover costs through rate adjustments. It has applied to the Delaware Public Service Commission for a 44 per cent increase, equivalent to about $19 a month for average households. The approach highlights the role of private operators in financing compliance as utilities adapt to new federal requirements.