Water Illumination Inc. Advances to EPA SBIR Phase II Award
Riverside, California — November 2024
Water Illumination Inc. is proud to announce that it has advanced to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II Award, receiving $400,000 to further develop and commercialize its rapid, chemical-free UV-based PFAS destruction technology for wastewater treatment.
The company’s patented deep UV-reduction technology destroys PFAS at the molecular level under ambient conditions. Originally developed and patented at the University of California, Riverside, the platform employs vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light at wavelengths below 230 nanometers to create a highly reactive environment in water. This process uses water itself as a catalyst, generating hydrated electrons and other reactive species that break the strong carbon–fluorine bonds in PFAS molecules, converting them into harmless fluoride ions.
The system produces no hazardous byproducts or secondary waste. Unlike other PFAS destruction methods, it operates at room temperature and pressure, uses standard UV lamps, and is naturally enhanced by common water constituents such as chloride and sulfate, which accelerate PFAS destruction. Because UV technologies are already widely used in water treatment, this approach benefits from proven scalability and regulatory familiarity—making the platform practical, cost-effective, and ready for broad adoption.
This clean-energy solution is being developed in collaboration with the University of California, Riverside, and local water districts, providing a sustainable and cost-effective PFAS treatment option for municipal and industrial applications.
Building on the success of Water Illumination’s EPA SBIR Phase I project, which achieved nearly 100% PFAS destruction in real wastewater, this Phase II award marks a major step toward commercialization of the company’s innovative PFAS destruction technology.
Learn more from the official EPA announcement here:
EPA Awards $2.8 Million to Small Businesses Developing Environmental Technologies
About Water Illumination
Water Illumination Inc. is tackling one of the world’s most urgent water challenges—the elimination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals.” These persistent compounds contaminate drinking water and food systems worldwide, posing serious health and environmental risks. With rising public concern and tightening regulations, there is growing demand for technologies that go beyond capture to achieve true PFAS destruction. Water Illumination provides a chemical-free, UV-based process that breaks down PFAS at the molecular level, offering a sustainable, scalable, and cost-effective solution for clean water.