Whole House Filters: Shielding Your Water from PFAS Contamination

Even though you cannot detect them through smell or taste, PFAS chemicals, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” are quietly infiltrating the drinking water we consume every day. These substances are both insidious and ubiquitous, making it imperative for consumers to understand their implications and take action regarding their presence in the environment.

Since their inception in the 1950s, these chemicals have been embedded in a vast array of products, including firefighting foam, fast food wrappers, non-stick cookware, and stain-resistant clothing. The same characteristics that make PFAS advantageous for manufacturing—such as their remarkable durability—are also responsible for the significant environmental challenges they pose: they resist degradation. Once released into the environment, these chemicals can persist for decades, accumulating in soil, water, and even within the human body, thereby increasing the associated risks of exposure over time.

Essential Information About PFAS: Understanding the Threat of “Forever Chemicals”

Recently, Seqwater, the governing body responsible for managing the drinking water supply in South East Queensland, announced that trace levels of PFAS have been identified in both raw and treated water in the region. Although these concentrations remain low and comply with national safety standards, their increasing incidence is concerning, particularly as they are being detected more frequently across various catchment areas. For an in-depth exploration, you can visit Seqwater’s comprehensive PFAS resources online.

How PFAS Contaminants Enter Our Drinking Water Supply

PFAS do not enter the water treatment process through intentional means. Instead, they infiltrate the water supply via external routes such as industrial waste, landfill runoff, fire training sites, and stormwater runoff. During rainfall, these chemicals can wash off surfaces like roads, roofs, and soil, flowing into the rivers and dams that provide water to our treatment facilities. Due to the persistence of these chemicals, even state-of-the-art water treatment technologies may not be capable of entirely eliminating them.

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

Are Standard Water Filters Sufficient for Eliminating PFAS Contaminants?

In brief, most standard water filters are inadequate for the removal of PFAS.

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

To successfully eliminate these stubborn chemicals, a more advanced approach is essential. The effective removal of PFAS typically requires:

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

This situation raises significant 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 processes or contact time required to significantly reduce PFAS levels.

The Importance of Whole House Filtration Systems in Mitigating PFAS Exposure

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

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

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

• Carbon block filters designed for extended contact time—critical for effective PFAS reduction
• pH correction filters to stabilize 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 improving the taste of your water; it’s about safeguarding your entire household from harmful contaminants right from the source, ensuring safer water for showers, laundry, and cooking, not just for drinking.

Why Whole House Filtration Systems Are a Smart Choice

While a single under-sink filter may protect your kitchen tap, PFAS can still infiltrate your home through multiple outlets such as bathroom taps, showers, garden hoses, and washing machines. Whole-house systems deliver comprehensive protection across all water 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 directly at the point of entry by our skilled and licensed technicians.

Do Whole House Filtration Systems Truly Provide Effective Protection?

Absolutely, especially for families concerned about cumulative exposure. While Seqwater is actively managing water quality, implementing filtration at the household 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

Comparing Town Water and Rainwater: Assessing the Risks Associated with Each Supply

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 becomes significantly elevated.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

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

This highlights the urgent necessity for a whole-house system for homes that depend on tank water, particularly those with children, elderly residents, or frequent visitors who may not be accustomed to untreated water.

How to 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 guarantee your system is equipped to tackle the issue, look for filters that include:

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

Why Choose Creek to Coast Plumbing: Your Local Experts in Water Filtration Solutions

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

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

Call 1300 793 962 or reach out to us online.

Are You Looking for Water Filters That Effectively Eliminate PFAS?

Inquire about our 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 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.