Advanced oxidation and reduction processes for PFAS destruction in municipal water supplies: A review of scalability, byproduct formation, and regulatory alignment

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remain a universal global environmental and public health challenge due to their exceptional chemical stability and persistence, leading to widespread contamination of municipal water supply. Conventional water treatment methods are largely ineffective at completely removing or degradation, necessitating advanced strategies. This review aims to synthesize recent advancements (2020-205) in Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) and Advanced Reduction Processes (ARPs) for PFAS destruction in municipal water. The studies critically assess their scalability for widespread application, the complexities of byproduct formation, and alignment with evolving regulatory frameworks. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases (e.g., Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed) for peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025. Search terms included "PFAS destruction," "advanced oxidation," "advanced reduction," "municipal water," "scalability," "byproduct formation," and "regulatory alignment." Numerous studies were systematically screened, and data on process mechanisms, efficiency, byproduct identification, scalability assessment, and regulatory implications were extracted and critically analyzed. Recent studies demonstrate significant progress in various AOPs and ARPs including photochemical, electrochemical and plasma-based technologies, showing enhanced PFAS destruction efficiencies. However, critical challenges remain concerning energy intensity, cost-effectiveness for large-scale municipal implementation and the complex nature of byproduct formation, with some processes potentially generating persistent short-chain PFAS or toxic intermediates. The dynamic regulatory landscape necessitates clearer alignment with technological capabilities for comprehensive PFAS destruction and byproduct management. AOPs and ARPs offer substantial promise for PFAS destruction in municipal water. Successful implementation requires overcoming scalability hurdles, comprehensively characterizing and mitigating byproduct toxicity, and establishing harmonized regulatory guidelines that foster innovation while ensuring public safety. This review underscores the imperative for interdisciplinary research and policy integration to address this pressing environmental and public health issue. Keywords: PFAS, Advanced Oxidation Processes, Advanced Reduction Processes, Municipal Water, Scalability, Byproducts, Regulatory Alignment, Water Treatment.