City of Cedar Rapids, IA Selects 374Water to Perform Project for PFAS Destruction in Biosolids
Rhea-AI Summary
374Water (NASDAQ: SCWO) will partner with the City of Cedar Rapids Water Pollution Control Facility and Brown and Caldwell to pilot its AirSCWO system for destruction of PFAS in biosolids.
The project is expected to start early Q1 2026, with initial destruction followed by independent third‑party laboratory validation and results delivered by end of Q1 or early Q2 2026. The work is positioned as an evaluation to potentially replace multiple existing processes at the Cedar Rapids facility and to address regulatory and public‑health concerns about PFAS in municipal biosolids.
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News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, SCWO gained 2.56%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -21.8% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 2 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $97K to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $4M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
Peers show mixed moves: CLIR up 5.12%, while ZONE and RAIN fell 4.46% and 3.98%; FTEK and LIQT were roughly flat. This points to stock‑specific rather than sector‑wide drivers for SCWO.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18 | Management & split | Neutral | -0.7% | Chair appointment, insider buying, and confirmation of 1-for-10 reverse split. |
| Nov 12 | Quarterly earnings | Negative | -5.4% | Q3 2025 loss, higher operating expenses, and modest full-year revenue outlook. |
| Nov 04 | PFAS project launch | Positive | -4.4% | Start of AFFF destruction contract under North Carolina initiative using AirSCWO. |
| Oct 28 | Municipal system order | Positive | +10.0% | City of Olathe order for AirSCWO 6 and 30 wet tons/day pre-treatment system. |
| Oct 24 | Reverse split proposal | Negative | -6.3% | Preliminary proxy for discretionary reverse stock split and financing flexibility. |
Operational wins (e.g., Olathe order) sometimes aligned with positive moves, but other PFAS project and corporate updates saw negative reactions, indicating inconsistent market response to contracts and strategic news.
Over the last few months, 374Water reported growing PFAS‑related activity, including a $4 million AirSCWO 6 order from Olathe on Oct 28, 2025 and a North Carolina AFFF destruction contract starting Nov 4, 2025. Q3 2025 earnings on Nov 12 showed higher revenue but ongoing losses. Governance and balance‑sheet measures followed, including a discretionary reverse split proposal on Oct 24 and confirmation of a 1-for-10 split and insider purchases on Dec 18. Today’s Cedar Rapids PFAS biosolids project extends this pattern of municipal PFAS destruction engagements.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective S-3 shelf filed on 2025-11-12 and amended on 2025-12-12 registers up to $100,000,000 of securities, including up to $50,000,000 via an at-the-market program. This provides capacity for future equity or debt issuance for working capital and capital expenditures, which could affect existing shareholders if utilized.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement adds a Cedar Rapids biosolids destruction project to 374Water’s growing PFAS engagement list, with work expected to start in early Q1 2026 and results targeted by late Q1 or early Q2. In context of prior municipal deals and recent financing steps, including a $100,000,000 shelf registration and a 1-for-10 reverse split, investors may watch execution on project milestones, validation data from independent labs, and any future use of the at-the-market program.
Key Terms
PFAS medical
per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances medical
biosolids technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
AirSCWO System Being Evaluated to Replace Multiple Existing Processes at Cedar Rapids Facility
MORRISVILLE, N.C., Dec. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 374Water Inc. (NASDAQ: SCWO) ("374Water" or the "Company"), a global leader in organic waste destruction technology and services for the industrial, municipal, and federal markets, today announced a partnership with The Cedar Rapids Water Control Pollution Facility (“CRWPCF”) and Brown and Caldwell, a leading water, wastewater, and environmental solutions consultancy, to execute a project for the destruction of biosolids containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”).
The project is expected to commence early in the first quarter of 2026, and the initial phase will consist of destruction of waste material from the CRWPCF followed by validation of results by an independent third-party laboratory. Results of the project are anticipated to be provided to Brown and Caldwell and CRWPCF by the end of the first quarter or early second quarter.
PFAS, a class of persistent, man-made “forever chemicals” that accumulate in water, soil, and wastewater systems, are increasingly found in municipal biosolids. This has prompted the City of Cedar Rapids to proactively evaluate solutions capable of fulling destroying PFAS-contaminated waste streams, including biosolids, to support long‑term regulatory compliance and safeguard public health.
“374Water is an ideal partner to enable meaningful action against PFAS contamination at the City of Cedar Rapids’ advanced wastewater treatment facility,” said Stephen J. Jones, Chairman and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of 374Water. "Our AirSCWO technology has demonstrated the effectiveness, scalability, and versatility of our solutions to destroy solid and liquid wastes. With our biosolid treatment capabilities, we offer a uniquely differentiated solution for a broad range of PFAS-impacted waste streams. Our goal is to help Cedar Rapids mitigate PFAS contamination and set a new standard for responsible waste management nationwide,” concluded Jones.
About 374Water
374Water Inc. (NASDAQ: SCWO) is a global industrial technology and services company providing innovative solutions addressing wastewater treatment and waste management issues within the industrial, municipal, and federal markets. 374Water's AirSCWO technology is designed to efficiently destroy and mineralize a broad spectrum of non-hazardous and hazardous organic wastes, producing safe dischargeable water streams, safe mineral effluent, safe vent gas, and recoverable heat energy. 374Water's AirSCWO technology has the potential to assist its customers to meet discharge requirements, reduce or eliminate disposal costs, remove bottlenecks, and reduce litigation and other risks. 374Water continues to be a leader in innovative waste treatment solutions, dedicated to creating a greener future and eradicating harmful pollutants. Learn more by visiting www.374water.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
About the Cedar Rapids Water Pollution Control Facility
The CRWPCF is one of the largest advanced wastewater treatment facilities in the State of Iowa. Operated by the Cedar Rapids Water Pollution Control Division, the CRWPCF operates a 45 MGD facility with multi-technology wastewater treatment process that generates 120 tons/day of sludge, which is currently destroyed via a multiple hearth incineration system. Cedar Rapids has been working with the US Environmental Protection Agency to assess how PFAS in its waste streams may be reduced or destroyed during the treatment process, with the intent of mitigating PFAS contamination via wastewater in the future.
Cautionary Language on Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," “could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," “plan," "predict," "project," "potential," or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the timing and outcome of 374Water’s destruction project with the CRWPCF, and the adoption of 374Water’s technology by municipalities,, and 374Water’s future prospects and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause 374Water’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or 374Water’s achievements or those of its industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. 374Water has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs, and projections. While 374Water believes these expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the 374Water’s control. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under "Risk Factors" in 374Water’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and in 374Water’s subsequent filings and reports with the SEC. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by laws, 374Water disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Investor Relations and Media Contact
Jim Siccardi
Senior Vice President
Direct: 984-374-1222
Jim.Siccardi@374water.com
www.374Water.com
FAQ
What will 374Water (SCWO) do for the City of Cedar Rapids in Q1 2026?
When will results from the Cedar Rapids PFAS destruction pilot be available for SCWO?
Does the Cedar Rapids project mean SCWO will replace existing treatment processes?
What does the Cedar Rapids pilot mean for investors in 374Water (SCWO)?
Who will validate the PFAS destruction results for SCWO's Cedar Rapids project?
