By 1808Delaware
In a promising step toward cleaner drinking water, a Grove City-based company has been awarded a federal grant to research and develop technology that could eliminate PFAS—commonly known as “forever chemicals”—from Ohio’s water supply.
Announced earlier this week by U.S. Congressman Mike Carey (R-Ohio-15), the nearly $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will support AA Plasma, LLC in developing a cutting-edge plasma-based water treatment solution.
The award arrives amid growing national and local urgency surrounding PFAS contamination. These synthetic chemicals—used in everything from non-stick pans to firefighting foam—do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. Linked to a range of health issues, PFAS have become a focal point for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which recently established enforceable drinking water standards for several PFAS compounds.
A Lab in Grove City, A Solution for the Nation
The heart of the new research lies in dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma technology, a technique being engineered by AA Plasma for the on-site regeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC)—a filtration material commonly used to capture PFAS from water supplies.
What sets the innovation apart is its dual action: not only does the system regenerate GAC, extending its lifespan and reducing operational costs, but it also breaks down the PFAS molecules themselves. That is a significant development in a field where the current alternatives often involve costly, energy-intensive incineration or the landfilling of contaminated materials.
The project is designed to scale. Optimizing factors like voltage, frequency, and processing time will be key to enabling continuous, industrial-level PFAS processing. If successful, the system could provide cost-effective PFAS destruction not only for municipalities but for industrial filtration firms and GAC suppliers across the country.
A Regulatory Landscape in Motion
The grant lands at a critical moment for water utilities and regulators. In April, the EPA finalized national limits on PFAS in drinking water, giving local systems until as late as 2031 to comply—particularly in smaller or rural communities. In response, Ohio has committed $40–$50 million annually through at least 2026 to research, monitoring, and infrastructure upgrades targeting PFAS.
For Delaware and northern Franklin Counties, the implications are immediate. The region’s blend of suburban growth, industrial presence, and sensitive watersheds has already prompted heightened awareness around water quality and environmental health.
Many in the water utility sector anticipate that new technologies like AA Plasma’s plasma regeneration system will provide critical tools to help meet the new EPA mandates without incurring unsustainable costs.
Progress Meets Public Concern
Yet even as this announcement sparks hope, many residents remain watchful. While the promise of scalable, cost-effective PFAS destruction is appealing, questions persist about timelines, testing, and tangible improvements in the short term.
Community members and local advocates are eager to see real-world data confirming improvements in water quality and reductions in PFAS concentrations. While scientific research often unfolds over months and years, the urgency of public health has put a spotlight on near-term progress.
PFAS issues have built up over decades, and many residents understand that resolving them will require long-term commitment, transparency, and collaboration across government, industry, and research institutions.
Building Trust with Innovation
Ultimately, the AA Plasma project represents a convergence of innovation, regulation, and public health. The technology itself may still be in the prototype stage, but the potential ripple effects—safer water, lower treatment costs, and stronger regulatory compliance—are significant.
If AA Plasma delivers on its vision, the path to cleaner water may begin not in a distant laboratory but right in central Ohio.
Key Details
- Awarding Agency: U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- Amount: $99,970.10
- Recipient: AA Plasma, LLC, Grove City, Ohio
- Technology: Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma system for PFAS destruction and GAC regeneration
- Impact Goal: Enable on-site, scalable, cost-efficient PFAS removal from water systems
As the EPA’s compliance deadlines approach, communities throughout Ohio will be watching this research closely—and looking to see whether a local breakthrough can deliver national change.
