Whole House Filters: Effective Protection Against PFAS Water

Even though you cannot smell or taste them, the infiltration of PFAS chemicals, commonly known as “forever chemicals”, is affecting the water we consume daily. These substances represent not just a fleeting worry; they are pervasive and insidious, emphasising the need for consumers to identify their presence in our environment and take necessary action to mitigate their impact.

Since their inception in the 1950s, these chemicals have made their way into a wide variety of products, including firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The very properties that make PFAS remarkably effective in manufacturing—such as their exceptional durability and resistance to heat and stains—are also what create significant environmental challenges: they resist degradation. Once these chemicals enter the ecosystem, they can persist for decades, accumulating in soil, water, and potentially the human body, thereby amplifying the risks linked to exposure over time.

Key Information About PFAS: Recognising the Risks of “Forever Chemicals”

Recently, Seqwater, the governing body overseeing the drinking water supply in South East Queensland, confirmed the detection of trace amounts of PFAS in both raw and treated water throughout the region. Although these levels remain low and within national safety standards, their growing prevalence is alarming, particularly as they are increasingly identified across various catchment areas. For a thorough understanding of the situation, you can explore Seqwater’s dedicated PFAS resources for further details.

What Are the Pathways Leading to PFAS Contaminating Our Drinking Water?

PFAS do not intentionally enter the water supply during the water treatment process. Instead, they infiltrate the water supply via external pathways, such as industrial waste, landfill runoff, fire training sites, and stormwater runoff. During rainfall events, these chemicals can wash off surfaces like roads, roofs, and soil, 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 not fully eliminate them, raising significant concerns regarding the safety of our drinking water.

Though the risks associated with these contaminants are currently deemed low, many households in Queensland are understandably adopting precautionary measures, particularly families with young children, individuals with compromised immune systems, or those relying on rainwater tanks. In such cases, the implementation of whole-house water filtration systems becomes essential for ensuring peace of mind and safeguarding health.

Can Standard Water Filters Effectively Remove PFAS Contaminants?

In summary, most standard water filters are ineffective in eliminating PFAS.

Typical filtration systems, such as pitcher jugs, tap-mounted units, and basic under-sink systems, are primarily designed to enhance taste, reduce chlorine levels, and capture sediment. However, when it comes to addressing PFAS contaminants, these systems do not meet the necessary performance standards to ensure safety.

To effectively eradicate these persistent chemicals, a more advanced approach is necessary. Proper removal typically involves:

• Extended contact carbon block filtration techniques, which allow for prolonged interaction with the water
• Anion exchange resins, specifically designed to attract and eliminate charged particles
• Reverse osmosis — advanced technologies not usually included in standard off-the-shelf filters, yet crucial for thorough purification.

This raises serious concerns for households that utilise plumbed-in refrigerators, where the filtered water may appear clean but is not specifically treated for PFAS. Most tap filters or refrigerator filter cartridges do not incorporate the necessary filtration processes or contact time to significantly reduce PFAS levels, leaving residents potentially exposed to harmful substances.

What Role Do Whole House Filtration Systems Play in Minimising PFAS Exposure?

This is where whole-house filtration systems, such as those provided by Creek to Coast Plumbing, become critically important for safeguarding health.

These state-of-the-art systems treat every drop of incoming water before it reaches any tap, appliance, or plumbing fixture, including your refrigerator, ensuring that all water used in the home is free from contaminants.

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

• Carbon block filters designed for extended contact time — essential for effective PFAS reduction
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater, enhancing overall water quality
• UV disinfection to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, thereby ensuring the safety of your water supply
• Optional reverse osmosis integration for additional filtration at kitchen taps if desired, providing an extra layer of protection.

It’s not just about enhancing the taste of your water; it’s about protecting your entire household from harmful contaminants at the source, ensuring that all water used for showers, laundry, and cooking is safe and pure, not merely for drinking.

Why Should You Consider Whole House Filtration Systems for Complete Water Safety?

While a single under-sink filter may protect your kitchen tap, PFAS can still infiltrate your home through various outlets such as bathroom taps, showers, garden hoses, and washing machines. Whole-house systems provide comprehensive protection across all outlets, ensuring safety in:

• Drinking and cooking water, essential for daily health
• Water for bathing and brushing, protecting your skin and hygiene
• Water for laundry, ensuring cleanliness in clothing and fabrics
• Water for pets and garden use, safeguarding the health of your animals and plants

Puretec’s FilterWall F-Series and Hybrid-Plus systems are robust enough to ensure complete household protection, installed right at the point of entry by our skilled and licensed team, guaranteeing a safe water supply for your entire home.

Do Whole House Filtration Systems Truly Enhance Water Quality?

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

• An added barrier against chemical intrusion, enhancing overall safety
• A consistent line of defence, irrespective of public infrastructure conditions
• Improved taste and odour, alongside peace of mind for the household
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to various substances

Town Water vs. Rainwater: Assessing the Risks Associated with Both Supplies

Even if you are connected to a town water supply, PFAS can still permeate into your home, posing health risks. If you are harvesting rainwater for household use, however, your risk profile is significantly elevated due to various environmental factors.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

• Animal waste from roof catchments, which can introduce harmful bacteria into your water
• Airborne chemicals from industrial activities or bushfire zones, contaminating water quality
• Low pH water that can corrode pipes and release heavy metals into your water supply, posing additional health risks
• Tannins resulting from decomposing vegetation, affecting water clarity and taste

This underscores the critical need for a whole-house system for homes relying on tank water, particularly those with children, elderly residents, or frequent visitors who may not be accustomed to untreated water, ensuring that all who enter your home are safeguarded from potential contaminants.

How Can You Determine If Your Filter Effectively Addresses PFAS?

If your current filtration system does not explicitly mention PFAS reduction, it is likely inadequate for this purpose and may leave you and your family vulnerable.

To ensure your system is capable of addressing the issue of PFAS, look for filters that include:

• NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFAS filtration, indicating proven efficacy
• Activated carbon filters engineered for high contact time, ensuring thorough removal of contaminants
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants, providing an effective solution
• Professional installation to prevent pressure drops or bypass issues, ensuring optimal performance

Choose Creek to Coast Plumbing: Your Trusted Local Experts for Comprehensive Water Filtration Solutions

As certified Puretec installers, we specialise in designing and implementing whole-house water filtration systems tailored to Queensland's unique conditions, whether you are connected to the town supply or utilising off-grid tank water. We proudly serve homes throughout the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and inland regions, recognising that effective filtration transcends mere taste; it’s 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, ensuring it operates efficiently and effectively at all times.

Call 1300 793 962 or contact us online to learn more about our services.

Are You Seeking Water Filters That Effectively Eliminate PFAS?

Inquire about our offerings, which encompass:

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