en.Wedoany.com Reported - A new water treatment plant in Chatham, Massachusetts, has begun operations to help the town comply with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection's limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The project utilizes a non-toxic crystalline waterproofing admixture called PENETRON ADMIX SB, which is NSF 61 certified for use in drinking water, to waterproof and protect the facility's concrete tanks from continuous water exposure.
According to Richard Farmer, Eastern Regional Sales Manager for Penetron USA, PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," have been linked to cancer, as well as damage to the liver, heart, immune system, and developmental disorders in children. These chemicals were first detected in Chatham's drinking water wells No. 5 and No. 8 in 2021, prompting the $16.7 million project. The Chatham project includes the construction of a 1.44 million gallon-per-day drinking water treatment facility to remove PFAS, iron, and manganese, with work encompassing new pumps, new chemical systems, green sand and granular activated carbon filter tanks, SCADA systems, electrical, and HVAC systems.
Farmer emphasized that the lifespan of concrete tanks in water treatment plants largely depends on protecting embedded steel reinforcement from corrosion, as inadequate waterproofing can lead to rapid concrete deterioration due to cracking, joint failure, and chemical attack. PENETRON ADMIX SB, a crystalline waterproofing admixture, was specified for all concrete treatment and storage tanks in Chatham, including foundation slabs, walls, columns, and structural slabs. Cape Cod Ready-Mix added this admixture to 1,728 cubic yards (1,321 cubic meters) of concrete mix.
Concrete treated with PENETRON ADMIX SB is waterproof and resistant to chemical attack, even under constant hydrostatic pressure, and its ability to self-heal any future micro-cracks prevents any damage during the concrete's service life. Farmer added that Penetron's solution was selected over a competing product, and the company continues to achieve great success with Cape Cod Ready-Mix on many similar projects in the region.
The Penetron Group is a leading manufacturer of specialty construction products for concrete waterproofing, concrete repair, and surface preparation systems, operating through a global network to support the design and construction community.
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