Birchtech Launches Water Treatment Business with $0.9 Million in Initial Orders Amid Growing Regulatory Demand

Birchtech Corp., a clean technology company focused on sustainable air and water treatment, has officially launched its water treatment solutions business after three years of development. The company announced purchase orders totaling $0.9 million from a mid-Atlantic power utility and has entered into a partnership with Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. to provide specialized testing services. This commercial entry comes as water utilities face increasing regulatory pressure to remove harmful contaminants, creating a significant market opportunity.

The company's initial business involves providing filtration system media replacement services for contaminant removal from wastewater at two utility locations. Birchtech emphasizes a media-agnostic approach, which it claims allows for selecting the best products for specific jobs rather than being limited to a single product line, thereby helping to control costs. John Pavlish, Birchtech's Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, stated that analyzing multiple options enables the selection of solutions that yield optimal performance and the lowest cost for utility customers.

Birchtech's market entry is timed with stringent new Environmental Protection Agency regulations targeting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called 'forever chemicals.' These contaminants are linked to serious health issues including low birth rates, increased cancer risks, and high blood pressure in pregnant women. By 2027, public water systems must begin monitoring for these chemicals, and by 2029, Maximum Contaminant Level limits must be established. The federal government has allocated $1 billion in federal funding for water monitoring systems, underscoring the national priority.

The regulatory landscape creates what Birchtech describes as a substantial addressable market, with water utilities spending approximately $1.5 billion annually to meet EPA purification standards. The company's partnership with Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. involves providing Rapid Small-Scale Column Testing (RSSCT) for CEC's water utility clients. This testing methodology simulates full-scale filter bed conditions rapidly, allowing utilities to evaluate granular activated carbon performance and develop compliance strategies efficiently. Birchtech will conduct these tests at its Analytical Design Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, claiming unmatched speed and cost compared to other U.S. RSSCT labs.

Richard MacPherson, CEO of Birchtech, highlighted the strategic importance of the CEC collaboration for the company's 'Clean Water' business, noting it provides a specialized test to utilities of all sizes. He also mentioned a pipeline of potential water treatment projects with utilities, many of which are existing CEC clients. The company aims to expand its water treatment technologies across the industry in the coming months, seeking to generate long-term value for shareholders while addressing critical environmental and public health challenges.

The implications of Birchtech's launch extend beyond its initial contracts. As regulatory deadlines approach, utilities nationwide require cost-effective and efficient solutions to comply with new standards. Birchtech's combination of media flexibility, testing partnerships, and claimed cost advantages positions it to potentially capture a share of the growing water treatment market. The company's progress reflects broader industry trends where technological innovation meets regulatory demand, with significant consequences for public health infrastructure and environmental protection. Success in this sector could influence how utilities manage contamination risks and allocate resources in the face of evolving environmental mandates.