Whole House Filters: Shielding Your Home 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 presence and potential health implications.

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

Essential Insights on PFAS: Understanding the Reality 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 area. While these levels are currently minimal and conform to national safety standards, their increasing presence is concerning, particularly as they are becoming more frequently identified in various catchment areas. For a deeper understanding of this issue, you can visit Seqwater’s dedicated PFAS resources for comprehensive information and updates.

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 various external pathways, including industrial waste, landfill runoff, fire training sites, and stormwater runoff. During rainfall events, 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 resilience of these chemicals, even advanced water treatment technologies may not entirely eliminate them, raising concerns about the safety of our drinking water.

While the risks associated with these contaminants are currently deemed low, many households in Queensland are rightly taking precautionary measures, especially families with young children, individuals with weakened immune systems, or those relying on rainwater tanks. In such scenarios, the implementation of whole-house water filtration systems becomes paramount for ensuring peace of mind and safeguarding health.

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

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

Common 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 the necessary standards and capabilities required for effective purification.

To genuinely eradicate these persistent chemicals, a more advanced approach is essential. Effective removal typically involves:

• Extended contact carbon block filtration techniques that allow for thorough treatment
• Anion exchange resins, which target specific contaminants, or
• Reverse osmosis — sophisticated technologies not usually found in standard, off-the-shelf filters.

This situation raises significant concerns for households that rely on plumbed-in refrigerators, where the filtered water may appear clean but is not specifically treated for PFAS. Many tap filters or refrigerator filter cartridges do not incorporate the requisite filtration processes or contact time to substantially lower PFAS levels, leaving consumers vulnerable to contamination.

What Role Do Whole House Filtration Systems Play in Reducing PFAS Exposure and Ensuring Safe Drinking Water?

This is where whole-house filtration systems, such as those provided by Creek to Coast Plumbing, become critically important in safeguarding your health.

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 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 removal
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater and prevent corrosion
• UV disinfection to eradicate harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites
• Optional reverse osmosis integration for additional purification at kitchen taps, if desired

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

Why Should You Choose Whole House Filtration Systems for Comprehensive Protection?

While a single under-sink filter may protect 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 provide extensive protection across all outlets, which include:

• Drinking and cooking water
• Water for bathing and brushing teeth
• Water for laundry and cleaning
• 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 in Reducing PFAS Exposure?

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
• A consistent line of defence, regardless of public infrastructure limitations
• Improved taste and odour, along with enhanced peace of mind
• Support for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals

Town Water vs. Rainwater: Evaluating the Risks Associated with Both Water 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 environmental factors.

Rainwater in Queensland may contain:

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

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.

How Can You Verify If Your Filter Effectively Addresses PFAS Contaminants?

If your current filtration system does not specifically mention PFAS reduction, it is likely inadequate for effectively addressing this serious issue.

To ensure your system is capable of tackling the problem, look for filters that include:

• NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification specifically for PFAS filtration, ensuring efficacy
• Activated carbon filters engineered for high contact time and effective removal
• Reverse osmosis or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants to guarantee safety
• Professional installation to avoid pressure drops or bypass issues that compromise 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 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 reliability.

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

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

Inquire about our range of offerings:

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