Whole House Filters: Shield Your Home from PFAS Contamination

Even though you cannot detect them through smell or taste, PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals“, are surreptitiously infiltrating the water we consume every day. These chemicals are insidious and widespread, making it imperative for consumers to be vigilant about their presence in our environment.

Since their inception in the 1950s, these chemicals have found their way into a vast array of products, including firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The very traits that make PFAS so effective in manufacturing—like their remarkable durability—are also what pose severe environmental challenges: they resist degradation. Once introduced into the ecosystem, these chemicals have the potential to persist for decades, accumulating in soil, water, and even the human body, thereby compounding the health risks associated with long-term exposure.

Essential Insights into PFAS: Understanding the Truth Behind “Forever Chemicals”

Recently, Seqwater, the governing authority responsible for managing the drinking water supply in South East Queensland, confirmed the detection of trace amounts of PFAS in both raw and treated water across the region. While these levels remain low and comply with national safety standards, the trend of increasing detection rates is concerning, especially as they are being found more frequently in various catchment areas. For further information and resources, you can visit Seqwater’s dedicated PFAS resource page.

How Do PFAS Chemicals Contaminate Our Drinking Water Sources?

PFAS are not deliberately added during the water treatment process. Instead, they infiltrate the water supply through various external pathways such as industrial waste, landfill runoff, fire training sites, and stormwater runoff. During rainfall, these chemicals can wash off surfaces such as roads, roofs, and soil, subsequently flowing into the rivers and dams that supply our water treatment facilities. Due to the persistent nature of these chemicals, even advanced water treatment technologies may not completely eradicate them.

While the associated risks of these contaminants are currently viewed as low, many households in Queensland are rightfully taking precautionary measures, particularly families with young children, individuals with weakened immune systems, or those who depend on rainwater tanks. In such situations, the installation of whole-house water filtration systems becomes vital for ensuring peace of mind and safety.

Do Standard Water Filters Effectively Remove PFAS Contaminants from Your Water Supply?

In summary, most standard water filters are inadequate for removing PFAS contaminants.

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 trap sediment. However, when it comes to effectively tackling PFAS contaminants, these systems do not meet the necessary standards.

To successfully eliminate these persistent chemicals, a more advanced approach is essential. Effective removal typically requires:

• Extended contact carbon block filtration techniques that enhance the removal process
• Anion exchange resins for more effective filtration, or
• Reverse osmosis—advanced technologies that are not commonly included in standard, off-the-shelf filters.

This situation raises serious concerns for households that utilize 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 methods or contact time required to significantly reduce PFAS levels.

How Do Whole House Filtration Systems Mitigate PFAS Exposure Risks?

This is where whole-house filtration systems, such as those provided by Creek to Coast Plumbing, come into play.

These advanced systems treat every drop of incoming water before it reaches any tap, appliance, or plumbing fixture, including your refrigerator.

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

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

It’s not merely about enhancing the taste of your water; it’s about protecting your entire household from harmful contaminants right at the source, ensuring safer water not just for drinking but also for showers, laundry, and cooking.

Why Opt for Whole House Filtration Systems for Comprehensive Water Protection?

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 provide extensive protection across all outlets, which encompass:

• Water for drinking and cooking
• Water for bathing and oral hygiene
• Water for laundry
• Water for pets and gardening

Puretec’s FilterWall F-Series and Hybrid-Plus systems are robust enough to guarantee total household protection, installed right at the point of entry by our skilled and licensed team of professionals.

Do Whole House Filtration Systems Truly Provide Significant Benefits?

Absolutely, particularly for families concerned about cumulative exposure. While Seqwater is actively managing the quality of public water supplies, implementing filtration measures at the home level offers:

• An additional barrier against chemical intrusion
• A consistent line of defense, regardless of public infrastructure
• Enhanced taste and odor along with peace of mind
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to contaminants

Comparing Town Water and Rainwater: Assessing the Risks Linked to Both Water Supplies

Even if you are connected to a town water supply, PFAS can still seep into your home. However, if you are harvesting rainwater for household use, your risk profile is considerably elevated.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

• Animal waste from roof catchments
• Airborne chemicals from industrial activities or bushfire zones
• Low pH water that can corrode pipes and leach heavy metals into your water supply
• Tannins that result from decomposing vegetation

This underscores the urgent need for a whole-house system for homes relying on tank water, especially those with children, elderly occupants, or frequent visitors who may not be accustomed to untreated water.

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

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

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

• NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFAS filtration
• Activated carbon filters engineered for extended contact time
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants
• Professional installation to prevent pressure drops or bypass issues

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

As certified Puretec installers, we specialize in designing and implementing whole-house water filtration systems tailored to the unique conditions of Queensland, whether you are connected to the town supply or utilizing off-grid tank water. We proudly serve residences throughout the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and inland regions, understanding that effective filtration goes beyond taste; it’s about providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.

With our comprehensive annual servicing and filter replacement programs, you’ll never have to worry about your system’s performance.

Call 1300 793 962 or reach out to us online.

Are You Looking for Effective Water Filters That 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.
• UV + Carbon Combination Systems
  Advanced multi-stage systems designed to neutralize bacteria and filter chemical residues—ideal for properties utilizing 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 accessed outlets.