Withstanding the Test of Time: Decades of Success with Anionic PAM Technology as It Continues to Adapt to Meet the Needs of an Evolving Industry

Polyacrylamides (PAMs) are versatile and effective tools for stabilizing soils and removing contaminants from stormwater and other turbid water. PAMs have a long history of use in erosion control, water treatment, mining, oil and gas, and pond-lake management applications. They have been researched and utilized in agriculture since the 1950s and in drinking and wastewater treatment since the 1970s. Anionic PAM and anionic PAM based technologies have been used in the E&SC and stormwater industry for decades. They have proven highly effective in soil stabilization and water treatment applications, while being safe for the environment and aquatic organisms. Anionic PAMs have the ability to reduce and remove contaminants such as suspended solids, metals, and excess inanimate nutrient loading that contributes to decreases in water quality and makes it difficult to stay in compliance and meet discharge limits. Anionic PAM technologies have been used in many different forms, applications, and through a variety of different introductory systems. Due to the optimal results seen with this technology over the past two decades there has been an increased demand for varying applications and more robust treatment systems. This has led to anionic PAM and PAM based technologies that have evolved and adapted over time so that they are able to be used in a wider range of projects and applications. This presentation will discuss proven, safe, and effective anionic PAM technologies and how they are utilized to enhance existing BMPs for erosion and sediment control and stormwater treatment. It will also discuss over twenty years of data highlighting dozens of projects and varying applications that have successfully utilized anionic PAM and anionic PAM based technologies to remove 95%+ of turbidity from water. New advanced treatment methods and applications have been developed and are currently used to meet industry needs will also be discussed.