Whole House Filters: Safeguarding Water from PFAS Contamination

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 informed about their existence and potential dangers.

Since their introduction in the 1950s, these chemicals have been widely used in various products, including firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The very characteristics that render PFAS effective in manufacturing—such as their remarkable durability—are also responsible for their environmental challenges: they resist degradation. Once these chemicals enter the ecosystem, they can persist for years, accumulating in soil, water, and even within the human body, thereby compounding the risks linked to their exposure over time.

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

Recently, Seqwater, the authority responsible for overseeing the drinking water supply in South East Queensland, confirmed the detection of trace amounts of PFAS in both raw and treated water across the area. While these levels remain minimal and comply with national safety standards, their increasing presence is concerning, particularly as they are being discovered more frequently in various catchment areas. For further information, you can explore Seqwater’s dedicated PFAS resources.

What Are the Pathways for PFAS Contaminating Our Drinking Water?

PFAS are not deliberately introduced during the water treatment process. Instead, they infiltrate the water supply through external pathways such as 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 supply our water treatment facilities. The resilience of these chemicals means that even advanced water treatment technologies may struggle to eliminate them completely.

While the risks associated with these contaminants are currently regarded as low, many households in Queensland are taking prudent precautionary measures, especially families with young children, individuals with compromised immune systems, or those relying on rainwater tanks. In these cases, the implementation of whole-house water filtration systems becomes vital for peace of mind and enhanced safety.

Can Standard Water Filters Effectively Eliminate PFAS Contaminants?

In essence, most standard water filters are ineffective at removing PFAS contaminants.

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 standards to ensure safety.

To effectively eliminate these persistent chemicals, a more advanced approach is required. Proper removal generally involves:

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

This raises significant 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 feature the necessary filtration processes or contact time to effectively reduce PFAS levels.

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

This is where whole-house filtration systems, like those offered by Creek to Coast Plumbing, become critically important for 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. This comprehensive approach is essential to protect your entire household.

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

• Carbon block filters designed for extended contact time — crucial for effective PFAS reduction
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater and enhance water quality
• UV disinfection to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that pose health risks
• Optional reverse osmosis integration for additional filtration at kitchen taps, if desired by the homeowner

It’s not merely about enhancing the taste of your water; it’s a vital measure to protect your entire household from harmful contaminants at the source, ensuring safer water for showers, laundry, and cooking, not just for drinking purposes.

Why Should You Choose 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 offer comprehensive protection across all outlets, which encompass:

• 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 professionals.

Do Whole House Filtration Systems Truly Make a Difference?

Absolutely, especially for families who are 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
• A consistent line of defence, regardless of public infrastructure
• Improved taste and odour, along with peace of mind for the household
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities 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. If you are harvesting rainwater for household use, however, your risk profile is significantly heightened due to various factors.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

• Animal waste from roof catchments, which can introduce harmful pathogens
• Airborne chemicals from industrial activities or bushfire zones that contaminate the water
• 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 highlights the critical necessity 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 systems.

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 not provide the safety you need.

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

• NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFAS filtration to ensure reliability
• Activated carbon filters engineered for high contact time to maximise efficiency
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants, ensuring thorough purification
• Professional installation to avoid pressure drops or bypass issues that can compromise performance

Choose Creek to Coast Plumbing: Your Trusted Local Experts for 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 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 or the quality of your drinking water.

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

Are You Searching for Water Filters That Effectively Remove PFAS?

Inquire about our offerings:

• Whole House Carbon Block Filtration
  Treats all water entering your home, including 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 — ideal 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 the highest quality.