Ammonium perfluorooctanoate--also called APFO, PFOA or C8--is a surfactant associated with the production of Teflon.RTM., and is also present in products such as fire-fighting foams and may be formed from the microbial degradation of grease-resistant coatings applied to items such as pizza boxes. APFO itself does not hydrolyze, photolyze, or biodegrade under environmental conditions and is biologically additive. A process by which APFO may be removed and recovered from water by electrosorption is discovered. Removal and recovery by electrosorption form an inexpensive and environmentally friendly method of removal and recovery of APFO.