Whole House Filters: Shielding Your Water from PFAS

While you may not be able to smell or taste them, PFAS chemicals, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”, are stealthily contaminating the water that we consume daily. These substances are not only persistent but also widely distributed in the environment, making it vital for consumers to understand their implications and the risks they pose to health and safety.

Since their introduction in the 1950s, these chemicals have been integrated into numerous products, such as firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The features that render PFAS useful in manufacturing—like their remarkable durability—contribute significantly to the environmental issues they create: they resist degradation. Once released into the ecosystem, these chemicals can persist for many years, accumulating in the soil, water, and even within the human body, which amplifies the risks associated with ongoing exposure over time.

Essential Insights on PFAS: Understanding the Dangers of “Forever Chemicals”

Recently, Seqwater, the governing body responsible for managing the drinking water supply in South East Queensland, confirmed the detection of trace amounts of PFAS in both untreated and treated water throughout the region. Although these levels remain low and comply with national safety standards, their increasing frequency is concerning, particularly as they are now being identified more often across various catchment areas. For comprehensive information, you can visit Seqwater’s dedicated PFAS resources that detail the ongoing monitoring and safety measures in place.

How PFAS Contaminants Enter Our Drinking Water Supply

PFAS are not deliberately added during the water treatment process. Instead, they infiltrate the water supply via external pathways, including industrial waste, landfill runoff, fire training sites, and stormwater runoff. During rain events, these chemicals can wash off surfaces such as roads, roofs, and soil, subsequently flowing into the rivers and dams that supply our water treatment facilities. Due to the resilience of these chemicals, even advanced water treatment technologies may struggle to eliminate them completely, raising concerns about potential health risks.

While the risks associated with these contaminants are currently regarded as low, many households in Queensland are wisely taking precautionary measures. This is particularly true for families with young children, individuals with compromised immune systems, or those depending on rainwater tanks for their drinking supply. In these cases, installing whole-house water filtration systems becomes vital for ensuring peace of mind and safety for all household members.

Assessing the Efficacy of Standard Water Filters in Eliminating PFAS Contaminants

To put it simply, most standard water filters are ineffective when it comes to removing PFAS from drinking water.

Common filtration systems such as pitcher jugs, tap-mounted units, and basic under-sink systems are primarily designed to enhance the taste of water, reduce chlorine levels, and capture sediment. However, when it comes to tackling PFAS contaminants, these systems do not meet the necessary standards for effective removal.

To successfully eliminate these persistent chemicals, a more advanced approach is essential. Effective removal typically involves:

• Extended contact carbon block filtration techniques that provide sufficient exposure time
• Anion exchange resins, which are specifically designed for such contaminants, or
• Reverse osmosis — sophisticated technologies that are not usually included in standard, off-the-shelf filters.

This situation raises serious concerns for households that use plumbed-in refrigerators. The filtered water may appear clean but is often not specifically treated for PFAS. Most tap filters or refrigerator filter cartridges lack the necessary filtration processes or contact time to significantly reduce PFAS levels, thereby putting users at risk.

Understanding the Importance of Whole House Filtration Systems in Minimising PFAS Exposure

This is where whole-house filtration systems, like those provided by Creek to Coast Plumbing, play a vital role.

These innovative systems treat every drop of water entering your home before it reaches taps, appliances, or plumbing fixtures, including the refrigerator.

Creek to Coast Plumbing installs Puretec premium-grade filtration systems that are equipped with:

• Carbon block filters designed for extended contact time, which is crucial for effective PFAS reduction
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater and prevent damage
• UV disinfection to eradicate harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites
• Optional reverse osmosis integration for additional filtration at kitchen taps, if desired

It’s not merely about improving the taste of your water; it’s fundamentally about safeguarding your entire household from harmful contaminants at the source, ensuring that safer water is available for showers, laundry, and cooking, not just for drinking.

The Comprehensive Benefits of Choosing Whole House Filtration Systems

While a single under-sink filter may protect your kitchen tap, PFAS can still infiltrate your home through various outlets, including bathroom taps, showers, garden hoses, and washing machines. Whole-house systems provide extensive protection across all outlets, which encompass:

• Water for drinking and cooking
• Water used for bathing and brushing
• Water needed for laundry
• Water for pets and garden use

Puretec’s FilterWall F-Series and Hybrid-Plus systems are robust enough to provide complete household protection, installed right at the point of entry by our skilled and licensed team, ensuring that every drop is safe.

Do Whole House Filtration Systems Truly Make a Difference for Your Family?

Absolutely, especially for families concerned about cumulative exposure to contaminants. While Seqwater is actively managing the quality of water, implementing filtration at the home level offers:

• An additional barrier against chemical intrusion
• A consistent line of defence, irrespective of public infrastructure
• Enhanced taste and odour, along with invaluable peace of mind
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities

Comparing Town Water and Rainwater: Understanding the Risks of Both Supplies

Even if you are connected to a town water supply, PFAS can still infiltrate your home. However, if you are harvesting rainwater for household purposes, your risk profile becomes significantly elevated.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

• Animal waste from roof catchments
• Airborne chemicals originating from industrial activities or bushfire zones
• Low pH water that may corrode pipes and release heavy metals into your water supply
• Tannins resulting from decomposing vegetation

This highlights the urgent need for a whole-house system for homes that rely on tank water, particularly those with children, elderly residents, or frequent visitors who may not be accustomed to untreated water.

How Can You Determine If Your Filter Effectively Reduces PFAS Contaminants?

If your current filtration system does not explicitly mention PFAS reduction, it is likely inadequate for this purpose.

To ensure your system can effectively address this issue, look for filters that include:

• NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFAS filtration
• Activated carbon filters designed for high contact time to enhance efficacy
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants
• Professional installation to prevent pressure drops or bypass issues that could compromise filtration

Select Creek to Coast Plumbing: Your Trusted Local Experts for Reliable Water Filtration Solutions

As certified Puretec installers, we specialise in designing and implementing whole-house water filtration systems tailored to the unique conditions in Queensland, whether you are connected to the town supply or relying on off-grid tank water. We proudly serve residences throughout the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and inland regions, understanding that effective filtration goes beyond taste; it’s fundamentally about providing peace of mind for you and your family.

With our comprehensive annual servicing and filter replacement programmes, you’ll never need to worry about your system’s performance or its ability to protect your health.

Call 1300 793 962 or contact us online for more information.

Are You Looking for Water Filters That Effectively Remove PFAS Contaminants?

Inquire about our range of offerings:

• Whole House Carbon Block Filtration
  Treats all water entering your home, including taps, showers, appliances, and refrigerator plumbing to ensure comprehensive safety.
• UV + Carbon Combination Systems
  Advanced multi-stage systems specifically designed to neutralise bacteria and filter out chemical residues — perfect for properties using rainwater and tank-fed sources.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Add-Ons for Drinking Water
  Installed discreetly beneath your kitchen sink for ultra-purified water at your most frequently used outlets.