Whole House Filters: Effective Protection Against PFAS Water

Although you cannot smell or taste them, the presence of PFAS chemicals, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals”, is infiltrating the water we consume daily. These substances represent not only a passing concern but an insidious and pervasive threat, making it essential for consumers to recognise their existence in our environment and take appropriate action to safeguard their health and wellbeing.

Since their introduction in the 1950s, these chemicals have been incorporated into a vast array of products, including firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The characteristics that make PFAS highly effective in manufacturing, such as their exceptional durability and resistance to heat and stains, are precisely what contributes to their environmental challenges: they resist degradation. Once they infiltrate the ecosystem, these chemicals can persist for many years, accumulating in soil, water, and even the human body, thereby compounding the risks associated with their exposure over time.

Essential Insights into PFAS: Understanding the Threat of “Forever Chemicals” for Your Health

Recently, Seqwater, the authority responsible for overseeing the drinking water supply in South East Queensland, confirmed that trace amounts of PFAS have been detected in both raw and treated water throughout the region. While these levels remain minimal and comply with national safety standards, their increasing presence is concerning, particularly as they are being found more frequently across various catchment areas. For a comprehensive understanding, you can visit Seqwater’s dedicated PFAS resources for more details about their findings and safety recommendations.

What Are the Pathways for PFAS Contaminating Our Drinking Water Sources?

PFAS do not enter the water supply through the water treatment process intentionally. Instead, they infiltrate the water supply through 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, flowing into the rivers and dams that feed our water treatment facilities. Due to the resilience of these chemicals, even advanced water treatment technologies may not completely eliminate them, raising significant concerns about the safety of our drinking water and the potential health risks associated with long-term exposure.

While the risks associated with these contaminants are currently considered low, many households in Queensland are understandably taking precautionary measures, particularly families with young children, individuals with compromised immune systems, or those who rely on rainwater tanks. In these scenarios, the adoption of whole-house water filtration systems becomes vital for ensuring peace of mind and safeguarding health against potential contaminants.

Can Standard Water Filters Effectively Eliminate PFAS Contaminants From Your Drinking Water?

In summary, most standard water filters are ineffective when it comes to removing PFAS contaminants from your drinking water supply.

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 and efficacy in filtration.

To effectively eradicate these persistent chemicals, a more sophisticated approach is required. Proper removal usually involves:

• Extended contact carbon block filtration techniques, which allow for longer interaction with the water, enhancing removal efficiency
• Anion exchange resins, which are specifically designed to attract and remove charged particles, improving overall water quality
• Reverse osmosis — advanced technologies that are not typically included in standard, off-the-shelf filters, but are essential for thorough purification of water.

This raises serious concerns for households that utilise plumbed-in refrigerators, where the filtered water may seem 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 lower PFAS levels, potentially leaving residents exposed to harmful substances without their knowledge.

What Role Do Whole House Filtration Systems Play in Reducing PFAS Exposure in Your Home?

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

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, including PFAS.

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

• Carbon block filters designed for extended contact time — this is essential for effective PFAS reduction and removal
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater, enhancing the overall quality of the water
• UV disinfection to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, 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 against contaminants.

It’s not only 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 purposes.

Why Should You Choose Whole House Filtration Systems for Comprehensive Water Safety and Quality?

While a single under-sink filter may safeguard 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 offer comprehensive protection across all outlets, ensuring safety in:

• Drinking and cooking water, essential for daily health and nutrition
• 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 and family.

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

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

• An added barrier against chemical intrusion, enhancing safety for all household members
• A consistent line of defence, regardless of public infrastructure conditions, ensuring reliable water quality
• Improved taste and odour, alongside peace of mind for the household regarding water safety
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to various substances, promoting health and wellbeing

Town Water vs. Rainwater: Evaluating the Risks Associated With Both Supplies and Their Implications for Health

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

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

• Animal waste from roof catchments, which can introduce harmful bacteria and pathogens
• Airborne chemicals from industrial activities or bushfire zones, contaminating water quality and posing health risks
• 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 highlights 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 safe from potential contaminants.

How Can You Verify If Your Filter Effectively Addresses PFAS Contaminants in Your Drinking Water?

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

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 in removing these contaminants
• Activated carbon filters engineered for high contact time, ensuring contaminants are thoroughly removed from your water
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants, providing an effective solution for water safety
• Professional installation to avoid pressure drops or bypass issues, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of the filtration system

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

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 to provide safe drinking water.

Call 1300 793 962 or contact us online to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in achieving clean, safe water at home.

Are You Searching for Water Filters That Effectively Remove PFAS From Your Water Supply?

Inquire about our offerings, which include:

• Whole House Carbon Block Filtration
  Treats all water entering your home, including taps, showers, appliances, and refrigerator plumbing for comprehensive safety and quality.
• 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 usages and 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.