Dane County Regional Airport Pilot PFAS Remediation Project at Darwin Site Shows Promising Initial Results

January 22, 2026
Michael Riechers, 608-220-5454
Airport

Madison, WI – Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA) today announced promising preliminary sampling data in a pilot project showing a 99% reduction of prominent perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The pilot project to remediate the effects of PFAS is happening on airport property at the former Darwin fire training area site near the intersection of Darwin Street and International Lane.
 

The project targets treatment on a well in the center of a contamination source area. Both the center testing well and the immediate downgradient testing well show significant reductions in prominent PFAS compounds, including PFOS and PFOA. The center testing well saw a 99% reduction in PFAS compounds and the immediately downgradient testing well saw an 86% reduction in PFOA from baseline concentrations.
 

Sampling from the targeted testing well showed a dramatic reduction from a peak of 20,000 PPT in June to 2.7 PPT in November for PFOA. The PFOS sample went from 2,870 PPT in June to 3.1 PPT in November.
 

The pilot project focuses on utilizing an advanced process of microbes capable of decomposing PFAS pioneered by ORIN Technologies to reduce the movement of PFAS in groundwater from the primary contamination source area. Dane County Executive Melissa Agard highlighted the importance of DCRA’s investment as a critical step toward addressing PFAS contamination and ensuring the safety of our water resources.
 

“The pilot study’s initial positive results show the importance of Dane County’s proactive investments in PFAS remediation,” said Agard. “Our science-driven approach helps protect our community for future generations and positions Dane County as a leader in addressing environmental risks.”
 

Work at the Darwin site builds on the initial remediation pilot project with ORIN Technologies, which showed a demonstrated removal rate averaging 97% at a downgradient testing well. The strong results from that project led to expanding the PFAS pilot remediation process to evaluate whether it could be used to address source contamination. DCRA invested $1.5 million to use the groundbreaking remediation process on a larger scale at the Darwin site, partially funded with revenue earmarked by the Dane County Board from the Raemisch Farm settlement revenue. Work on the pilot project will continue with another round of sampling later this year.
 

“Dane County Regional Airport is leading the way with an innovative approach to address PFAS that is the first of its kind in the country,” said Mark Papko, executive director of the airport. “Now that we have kicked off the Airport Master Plan process at the airport, we can potentially incorporate this technology into a larger area for remediation as part of the master plan if we continue to see strong results.”
 

The pilot remediation work is being done in coordination with the Department of Natural Resources and in conjunction with ORIN Technologies, a Verona, Wisconsin-based company and Fixed Earth Innovations, headquartered in Canada. The two companies have now formed a joint venture.
 

Monitoring and sampling will continue at the pilot project site for another six months to see if the process will continue to hold the reduced PFAS levels as it did in the pilot project at Truax field in 2021. At the conclusion of the current pilot project, DCRA will evaluate next steps and potential options to incorporate into the Airport Master Plan.
 

ORIN Technologies is a Wisconsin-based environmental company that specializes in tackling complex contamination challenges, with a strong focus on PFAS treatment and in-situ remediation. ORIN is the first in the industry alongside its strategic partner, Fixed Earth Innovations, to identify and demonstrate the utilization of Bioavailable Absorbent Media (BAM) and native, site-specific microbes capable of decomposing perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in a natural degradation process.
 

Dane County Regional Airport offers convenient, low-stress, and affordable options for both leisure and business travelers with daily arrivals and departures, 18 nonstop destinations, and one-stop service to nearly every major city worldwide. The terminal features a variety of new and updated restaurants, bars, and shops, along with traveler-friendly amenities such as a Mother’s Lounge, Children’s Play Area, meeting rooms, free WiFi 6, and an indoor pet relief area. Visit msnairport.com for more information.

 

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