<p> The Defluorinator is a scalable and cost-efficient system designed to limit the exposure of free floating PFAS from surface runoff in drinking water systems. This system is designed for facilities that frequently dispose of PFAS-contaminated liquids to prevent additional runoff at minimal costs compared to alternative techniques such as reverse osmosis and pyrolysis. The Defluorinator is composed of a cylindrical polyethylene case containing P. Putida with the enzymes haloacid and fluoroacetate dehalogenase. The bacteria is isolated in a solution of water contaminated with PFAS and saline water, the degradation of PFAS assisted by mechanical fragmentation of the bacteria. Over a span of 50 hours, P. Putida produces fluoride ions and hydrofluoric acid as a byproduct of its enzymatic reactions with PFAS mentioned above. The hydrofluoric acid produced in this reaction is eliminated by the presence of sodium bicarbonate in filter 1 (figure 1) of the device. Filters 1 and 2 are composed of an open pore structure coated with an additional layer of sodium bicarbonate, eliminating the risk of contamination by byproducts of P. Putida. The open pores are designed to permit the flow of water into additional tubing attached to the system, allowing for the filtration of PFAS contaminated fluids before merging with the municipal water system. </p>
