Zoom Nguyen is a seasoned environmental engineer with over 16 years of experience delivering innovative solutions to address both legacy and emerging contaminants. He currently serves as the Technical Director of Engineering and PFAS Subject Matter Expert at Weston Solutions, Inc. where he plays a pivotal role in advancing technical capabilities and expanding service offerings across municipal, commercial, industrial, and federal markets. Zoom has led or co-led over 20 federally funded research projects, contributed to more than 25 peer-reviewed publications, and delivered over 30 keynote addresses and presentations at major international conferences.
Throughout his career, Zoom has led multidisciplinary teams and executed complex projects across the U.S., Asia, Europe, and Australia. His expertise spans high-resolution site characterization, advanced remedial technologies, and water/wastewater treatment. He has successfully implemented cutting-edge solutions at more than 150 high-profile sites, driving measurable improvements in performance and compliance while also ensuring stakeholder engagement to deliver the best long term sustainable solutions for all parties.
Zoom is recognized for his ability to build and lead high-performing teams, secure competitive research funding, and mentor junior staff in dynamic, safety-focused environments. His leadership has been instrumental in developing and commercializing innovative technologies, particularly in response to evolving regulatory challenges around PFAS.
In his current role, Zoom serves as a national resource for the investigation and remediation of complex environmental issues. He is actively engaged in shaping Weston’s strategic direction in remediation, design/build, and R&D.
What are PFAS?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of man-made chemicals used since the 1940s in products that resist heat, water, and oil—such as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foams. They are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally and can persist in the environment and human body for decades.
Certain PFAS have been linked to serious health concerns, including liver damage, immune system disruption, developmental issues, and increased risk of cancers. Because they are so persistent and widespread, PFAS have become a major focus of environmental cleanup efforts and regulatory action across industries and government agencies.
Can you share with us your background when it comes to PFAS?
My experience with PFAS began about a decade ago, when several drinking water clients urgently sought help in addressing contamination in their systems. At the time, like many in the industry, I had limited exposure to PFAS. But that quickly changed as we recognized the complexity and urgency of the issue.
One of the major challenges water utilities faced was the overwhelming number of treatment media options available, each with varying performance depending on the specific PFAS compounds, concentrations, water quality, and co-contaminants. To support better decision-making for utility companies, a former colleague and I adapted the well-established Rapid Small-Scale Column Test (RSSCT), originally developed to measure the lifespan of activated carbons in removing organic pollutants. We modified this method to make it applicable for PFAS. We also expanded the method to test not only activated carbons but also alternative PFAS treatment media including ion exchange resins and surface-modified organoclays. We have published three peer-reviewed papers on this subject matter.
Validating RSSCT for PFAS proved to be a pivotal advancement, as it allows for rapid, cost-effective, and accurate comparison of different commercial treatment media. Over the past decade, I’ve supported more than 100 utilities in selecting the most suitable treatment media for their specific water conditions. My work has also involved identifying and addressing potential water quality issues caused by PFAS, such as temporary shifts in pH and mobilization of arsenic. I’ve helped utilities manage these challenges efficiently and cost-effectively.
Beyond bench-scale testing, I have also led pilot studies for technology screening and selection, assessed the broader impacts of PFAS treatment on water quality, evaluated infrastructure upgrade options, conducted engineering cost-benefit analyses, and supported the design and implementation of full-scale PFAS treatment systems. This work has given me a comprehensive understanding of PFAS treatment from both a technical and practical standpoint.
Could you tell us more about your PFAS experience in other arenas besides municipal drinking water?
Absolutely. The widespread presence of PFAS across nearly all environmental media has made working with these compounds both complex and fulfilling. My experience with PFAS extends well beyond municipal drinking water and includes wastewater, biosolids, surface water, stormwater, and the more traditional soil and groundwater settings. I’ve worked on sites at various stages of remediation—from initial investigation through full-scale remedial design and implementation.
I’ve supported a diverse range of clients, including municipal, commercial, and federal entities across the globe. Given that PFAS are classified as emerging contaminants, my initial work concentrated on characterizing their behavior in high-concentration source zones. A key focus was understanding how PFAS migrate from the vadose zone (the unsaturated layer above the water table) and how this movement or lack thereof contributes to long-term groundwater contamination. Our research has shown that many regulated PFAS compounds remain in the vadose zone and do not easily migrate into groundwater. In many cases, removing only a portion of the PFAS from soil may be enough to protect groundwater quality. As a result, highly aggressive cleanup methods such as full-scale excavation or thermal treatment aimed at complete PFAS removal may be unnecessarily conservative and not always justified. This foundational research helped shift industry perspectives and informed the Department of Defense’s (DoD) management strategies at AFFF source sites.
Building on that foundation, I have used a range of advanced technologies including adsorption, membrane filtration, foam fractionation, and in situ stabilization to effectively remove, concentrate, and destroy PFAS at federal, commercial, and industrial sites. This broad, multimedia experience enables me to deliver integrated, technically sound, and cost-effective PFAS solutions that meet evolving regulatory standards and client objectives.
In your opinion, which PFAS-impacted media is most challenging?
That’s a tough question. Remediating high-concentration materials such as soil and groundwater impacted by AFFF is particularly complex due to the stringent cleanup standards designed to protect human health and the environment.
On the other end of the spectrum, PFAS in drinking water presents a different kind of challenge. Although typically found at relatively low concentrations, the sheer volume of water requiring treatment and the direct exposure route to humans make it a significant concern.
Building on that, I find wastewater to be the most challenging of all. While PFAS are often detected in wastewater at low concentrations, the issue lies in the nature of the matrix itself. Unlike drinking water, which is relatively simple to treat, wastewater contains a complex mix of substances and requires high throughput processing. These factors render many conventional PFAS treatment technologies ineffective or impractical.
One approach I’ve explored is taking advantage of existing wastewater treatment processes to incidentally remove PFAS, even though these processes weren’t originally designed for that purpose. This kind of opportunistic PFAS removal involves using natural byproducts of treatment, such as capturing PFAS that escape as aerosols during primary aeration or collecting PFAS that concentrate in foams and scums. Because PFAS levels in wastewater are typically low, even these unintended or secondary removal methods can significantly reduce the overall PFAS load and help mitigate environmental and health risks.
I believe that strategies emphasizing pragmatic, integrated solutions rather than relying solely on treatments applied at the final stage of wastewater processing will become increasingly important as we seek scalable, cost-effective ways to manage PFAS. This is especially true in the context of wastewater management, where “end-of-pipe” approaches focus on removing contaminants only after they have already entered the system, rather than preventing or minimizing pollution at its source.
How do you envision your impact at Weston?
For me, making an impact at Weston starts with helping our clients navigate complex environmental challenges, especially as regulations and technologies around PFAS continue to shift. I’m passionate about advancing how we investigate, evaluate, and implement solutions for emerging contaminants, drawing on my experience to ensure our strategies are practical and tailored to each project.
But I also see my work as part of something bigger. Weston’s nearly 70-year legacy in water management is more than history; it’s a foundation I’m proud to build on. From Roy F. Weston’s original vision to our partnerships with agencies like EPA and DoD, we’ve earned a reputation for engineering excellence and public health solutions. Today, we’re applying that same commitment to new challenges like PFAS and aging infrastructure, using innovative technologies to stay ahead.
What really sets Weston apart, in my view, is our ability to blend deep regulatory expertise with hands-on project experience. We’re known for responding quickly and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects, skills that are just as valuable for municipalities as they are for federal clients. Our nationwide reach and integrated services mean we can help communities modernize, meet evolving standards, and secure funding for real improvements.
Looking ahead, I believe Weston is uniquely positioned to expand our impact in the municipal water and wastewater sector. I’m excited to help us deliver resilient, integrated solutions that not only meet today’s demands but also anticipate the needs of future generations.
Ultimately, my goal is to be a trusted partner for our clients as they navigate the fast-changing PFAS landscape. I want to break down the science, clarify the options, and support informed decisions that balance cost, risk, and compliance. Whether it’s through project delivery, strategic guidance, or technical thought leadership, I hope Weston is known not just for excellent work, but for helping clients solve real problems in meaningful ways.
