A digital current flows through America’s waterworks

A combination of corporate acquisitions, artificial intelligence, and cloud software is accelerating efforts to combat PFAS, the persistent chemicals contaminating US drinking water.

In April, Minnesota-based Hawkins acquired WaterSurplus, an Illinois company specialising in PFAS filtration systems. Patrick H. Hawkins, chief executive, described the deal as "an excellent addition", strengthening its high-margin equipment portfolio.

Analysts forecast Hawkins' Water Treatment division will exceed $500mn in sales next year.

Hawkins' chemicals-plus-equipment offering arrives as the Environmental Protection Agency prepares tougher drinking water regulations. Analysts expect the deal to place competitive pressure on smaller rivals.

Meanwhile, researchers are deploying artificial intelligence to speed up filtration technology development. A Georgia Institute of Technology team announced in February that its machine-learning model screened over 700 materials in a matter of days, identifying eight that blocked more than 95 per cent of PFAS.

"More than 200 million Americans are affected, and scalable solutions are urgently needed," said lead researcher Yongsheng Chen. He described Al as a frontier for environmental engineering, with the potential to shorten product cycles and lower costs.

Software companies are also targeting the PFAS market. On April 29, Locus Technologies launched a cloud-based platform combining sampling data, mapping dashboards, and regulatory reporting. Founder Neno Duplan said it was designed for utilities grappling with fragmented legacy systems and rising compliance demands.

Consultants estimate that next-generation filtration membranes and integrated software tools could reduce capital costs by 25 per cent and operating expenses by up to 33 per cent.

However, challenges remain. Al-driven systems require extensive field testing to ensure reliability, while some water utilities remain cautious about relying on algorithm-based decisions. Cloud platforms face cybersecurity risks and incomplete integration with laboratory systems.

Despite these hurdles, analysts see industry consolidation, Al-led material discovery, and software-enabled compliance as key trends in US water treatment. With stricter federal regulations expected through 2026, utilities and investors are racing to turn these technologies into commercial contracts.