Whole House Filters: Safeguarding Against PFAS Contamination

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

Since their introduction in the 1950s, these chemicals have been incorporated into a vast range of products, including firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The very properties that make PFAS effective in manufacturing—such as their remarkable durability—also contribute to their environmental challenges: they resist degradation. Once released into the ecosystem, these chemicals can persist for years, accumulating in soil, water, and even human beings, thereby compounding the risks associated with long-term exposure.

Essential Insights on PFAS: Understanding the Dangers 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 throughout the area. While these levels remain minimal and comply with national safety standards, their increasing prevalence is concerning, especially as they are now being discovered more frequently in various catchment areas. For more information, you can explore Seqwater’s dedicated PFAS resources.

What Are the Pathways Through Which PFAS Contaminate 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 harmful chemicals can wash off surfaces such as roads, roofs, and soil, flowing into the rivers and dams that supply our water treatment facilities. Due to the persistence of these chemicals, even advanced water treatment technologies may not be able to completely eliminate them.

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

Can Standard Water Filters Effectively Eliminate PFAS Contaminants from Your Water Supply?

In brief, most standard water filters are ineffective at removing PFAS contaminants from drinking water.

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 fall short of delivering the necessary performance standards for safety and effectiveness.

To effectively eradicate these persistent chemicals, a more sophisticated filtration 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 appear clean yet is not specifically treated for PFAS. Most tap filters or refrigerator filter cartridges lack the necessary filtration processes or contact time to significantly lower PFAS levels, potentially leaving families exposed to these harmful chemicals.

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 offered by Creek to Coast Plumbing, become critically important in ensuring water safety.

These state-of-the-art systems treat every drop of incoming water before it reaches any tap, appliance, or plumbing fixture, including your refrigerator, thereby providing 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 and improved water quality
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater, ensuring safe water for all types of use
• UV disinfection to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can compromise health
• Optional reverse osmosis integration for additional filtration at kitchen taps, if desired, providing an extra layer of safety

It’s not just about improving the taste of your water; it’s fundamentally about protecting your entire household from harmful contaminants at the source, ensuring safe water for showers, laundry, and cooking, not merely for drinking purposes.

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

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 deliver 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, providing peace of mind for all residents.

Do Whole House Filtration Systems Truly Make a Difference 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, ensuring safer water supply
• A consistent line of defence, regardless of public infrastructure quality
• Improved taste and odour, along with peace of mind regarding safety
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to various contaminants

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

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

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

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

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 their safety and well-being.

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

If your current filtration system does not specifically mention PFAS reduction, it is likely inadequate for this purpose and may not protect you effectively.

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, indicating effectiveness
• Activated carbon filters engineered for high contact time, essential for effective filtration
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants, ensuring thorough removal
• Professional installation to avoid pressure drops or bypass issues, guaranteeing system performance

Choose Creek to Coast Plumbing: Your Trusted Local Experts for Effective 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 fundamentally about providing peace of mind for you and your family regarding water quality and safety.

With our comprehensive annual servicing and filter replacement programmes, you’ll never need to worry about your system’s performance or potential contaminants.

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

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

Inquire about our offerings to enhance your water safety:

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