Whole House Filters: Effective Protection Against PFAS Water

Although you cannot smell or taste them, the presence of PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, is infiltrating the water we consume daily. These substances are not merely a fleeting concern; they are insidious and pervasive, highlighting the urgency for consumers to recognise their presence in our environment and to take appropriate action. Awareness is the first step towards ensuring the safety of our water supply, as these chemicals can have serious health implications.

Since their introduction in the 1950s, these chemicals have been incorporated into a vast array of products, such as 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. These persistent pollutants pose significant threats to both ecological and human health.

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

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, which provides critical information for residents regarding water safety and contamination issues.

What Are the Pathways for PFAS Contaminating Our Drinking Water?

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, as these systems provide a proactive solution to mitigate potential health hazards.

Can Standard Water Filters Effectively Eliminate PFAS Contaminants?

In summary, most standard water filters are ineffective when it comes to removing PFAS. These filters simply do not possess the capability to adequately address the unique challenges posed by these persistent chemicals.

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, which can leave consumers unknowingly exposed to harmful substances.

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

• Extended contact carbon block filtration techniques, which allow for longer interaction with the water, enhancing the effectiveness of the filtration process
• Anion exchange resins, which are specifically designed to attract and remove charged particles, thereby improving water quality
• Reverse osmosis — advanced technologies that are not typically included in standard, off-the-shelf filters, but are crucial for thorough purification and ensuring safe drinking 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, leaving residents potentially exposed to harmful substances that can adversely affect their health.

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 for safeguarding health and ensuring the safety of drinking water.

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. This comprehensive treatment ensures that families can enjoy peace of mind knowing their water supply is consistently safe.

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, ensuring maximum filtration efficacy
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater, enhancing the quality of the water and protecting plumbing systems
• UV disinfection to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites, ensuring the safety of your water supply and further reducing health risks
• 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, but for everyday use throughout the home.

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

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 wellbeing
• Water for bathing and brushing, protecting your skin and hygiene
• Water for laundry, ensuring cleanliness in clothing and fabrics, thereby enhancing family health
• Water for pets and garden use, safeguarding the health of your animals and plants, which can contribute to overall household safety.

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 providing invaluable peace of mind for families.

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

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 reliability
• Improved taste and odour, alongside peace of mind for the household regarding water quality
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to various substances, making it ideal for diverse family needs

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, posing a risk to health. If you are harvesting rainwater for household use, however, your risk profile is significantly heightened due to various environmental factors that can contribute to contamination.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

• Animal waste from roof catchments, which can introduce harmful bacteria and compromise water safety
• 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 that can affect your family
• Tannins resulting from decomposing vegetation, affecting water clarity and taste, which can be unpleasant for household use.

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 and enjoy high-quality water.

How Can You Verify If Your Filter Effectively Addresses PFAS?

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 reducing harmful contaminants
• Activated carbon filters engineered for high contact time, ensuring contaminants are thoroughly removed for safe water
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants, providing an effective solution for ensuring quality drinking water
• Professional installation to avoid pressure drops or bypass issues, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of the system.

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 when it comes to the safety of your water.

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, allowing you to focus on what matters most — your family's health and wellbeing.

Call 1300 793 962 or contact us online to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in achieving optimal water safety.

Are You Searching for Water Filters That Effectively Remove PFAS?

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 peace of mind.
• 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.
• 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 needs.