Whole House Filters: Shielding Your Water from PFAS Risks

Although you cannot smell or taste them, PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, are infiltrating the water we consume daily. These substances are insidious and pervasive, making it essential for consumers to be vigilant about their presence and potential impact on health.

Since their introduction in the 1950s, these chemicals have been incorporated into numerous products, including firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The very properties that render PFAS effective in manufacturing—such as their remarkable durability—also contribute to their environmental challenges: they resist degradation. Once they infiltrate the ecosystem, these chemicals can persist for years, accumulating in soil, water, and even within the human body, exacerbating the risks associated with prolonged exposure over time.

Essential Insights into PFAS: Understanding the Implications of “Forever Chemicals”

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

What Are the Pathways for PFAS Contaminating Our Drinking Water?

PFAS are not intentionally introduced during the water treatment process. Instead, they infiltrate the water supply through external pathways including industrial waste, landfill runoff, fire training sites, and stormwater runoff. When it rains, these chemicals can wash off surfaces like 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 fully eliminate them.

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

Can Standard Water Filters Effectively Eliminate PFAS Contaminants?

In summary, most standard water filters are ineffective at removing PFAS contaminants from water supplies.

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

To successfully eradicate these persistent chemicals, a more sophisticated approach is essential. Effective removal generally involves:

• Extended contact carbon block filtration techniques
• Anion exchange resins, or
• Reverse osmosis — advanced technologies not typically included in standard, off-the-shelf filters.

This raises significant concerns for households utilizing plumbed-in refrigerators, where the filtered water may appear clean but is 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.

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

This is where whole-house filtration systems, such as those provided by Creek to Coast Plumbing, become critically important in ensuring safe drinking water.

These advanced systems treat every drop of incoming water before it reaches any tap, appliance, or plumbing fixture, including your refrigerator, thereby ensuring comprehensive protection against contaminants.

Creek to Coast Plumbing installs Puretec premium-grade filtration systems that feature:

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

It’s not solely about enhancing the taste of your water; it’s about protecting your entire household from harmful contaminants at the source. This ensures safer water for showers, laundry, and cooking, not merely for drinking purposes.

Why Should You Choose Whole House Filtration Systems for Your Home?

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 provide comprehensive protection across all outlets, which include:

• Drinking and cooking water
• Water for bathing and brushing
• Water for laundry
• Water for pets and garden use

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 of experts.

Do Whole House Filtration Systems Truly Make a Difference in PFAS Contamination?

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

• An added barrier against chemical intrusion
• A consistent line of defence, regardless of the effectiveness of public infrastructure
• Improved taste and odour, along with peace of mind for all household members
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities who may be more vulnerable to contaminants

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

Even if you are connected to a town water supply, PFAS can still permeate into your home environment. If you are harvesting rainwater for household use, however, your risk profile is significantly heightened due to potential contamination sources.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

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

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.

How Can You Verify If Your Filter Effectively Addresses PFAS Contamination?

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

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

• NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFAS filtration
• Activated carbon filters engineered for high contact time, crucial for effective removal
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants, ensuring comprehensive filtration
• Professional installation to avoid pressure drops or bypass issues that could diminish effectiveness

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, understanding that effective filtration transcends taste; it’s about providing peace of mind and safety 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 optimally at all times.

Call 1300 793 962 or contact us online for further information and assistance.

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

Inquire about our extensive offerings:

• Whole House Carbon Block Filtration
  Treats all water entering your home, including taps, showers, appliances, and refrigerator plumbing, providing 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.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Add-Ons for Drinking Water
  Installed discreetly beneath your kitchen sink for ultra-purified water at your most frequently used outlets, ensuring superior quality.