You can’t smell them. You can’t taste them. But PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals”. are in the water we drink.

They’ve been used since the 1950s in everything from firefighting foam and fast food wrappers to non-stick pans and stain resistant clothing.
What makes PFAS so useful is also what makes them a problem: they don’t break down easily.
Once they enter the environment, they stick around for years, building up in soil, water, and even the human body over time.

PFAS And What You Need to Know About These “Forever Chemicals”

In recent years, Seqwater, the authority managing South East Queensland’s drinking supply has confirmed the presence of trace levels of PFAS in both raw and treated water across the region.
The amounts are small and still within national safety guidelines, but they’re there. And they’re being detected in more catchments, more frequently.
You can also refer to Seqwater’s PFAS page

So how did they get into our drinking water in the first place?

PFAS aren’t added during water treatment. Instead, they enter the water cycle from the outside world, through industrial waste, landfill runoff, fire training sites, and stormwater wash-off.
When it rains, PFAS from roads, roofs, and soil can make their way into the rivers and dams that feed our water treatment plants. And because these chemicals are so persistent, even advanced treatment processes don’t always remove them completely.

While the risk is considered low, it’s understandable that many Queensland households are starting to take extra steps, especially families with young children, immune-compromised members, or those using rainwater tanks.

And this is where whole-house water filtration systems come into the picture.

Can Regular Water Filters Remove PFAS?

In short — most can’t.

Standard filters like pitcher jugs, tap-mounted units, or basic under-sink systems are good for improving taste, reducing chlorine, and capturing sediment. But when it comes to PFAS, they typically fall short.

These chemicals require more than a quick filter pass. Effective removal usually demands:

• Extended contact carbon block filtration
• Anion exchange resins, or
• Reverse osmosis — all technologies not found in off-the-shelf filters.

This creates a bigger concern for homes using plumbed-in fridges, where filtered water may appear clean but isn’t being treated for PFAS.
Most tap filters or fridge filter cartridges simply don’t have the required filtration stage or dwell time to reduce PFAS meaningfully.

How Whole House Filters Help Reduce PFAS Exposure

That’s where whole house filtration systems, like those installed by Creek to Coast Plumbing, come in.

These systems treat all incoming water before it reaches any tap, appliance, or plumbing fixture, including your fridge.

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

• Carbon block filters built for long contact time — critical for PFAS reduction
• pH correction filters to stabilise acidic rainwater
• UV disinfection to eliminate bacteria, viruses and parasites
• Optional RO integration for extra filtration at kitchen taps if desired

It’s not just about better tasting water, it’s about protecting your entire household from contaminants at the source.owers, safer laundry, safer showering and safer cooking water, not just drinking water.

Why Whole House Filtration?

A single under-sink filter may protect your kitchen tap, but PFAS can still enter your home through bathroom taps, showers, garden hoses, and washing machines. Whole-house systems protect every outlet, including:

• Drinking and cooking water
• Bathing and brushing
• Laundry
• Pet water and garden use

Puretec’s FilterWall F-Series and Hybrid-Plus systems are robust enough for complete household protection, installed at the point of entry by our licensed team.

Does It Really Make a Difference?

Yes, especially for families concerned about cumulative exposure.
While Seqwater is doing an excellent job managing water quality, filtration at the home level offers:

• An added barrier against chemical intrusion
• A consistent line of defence regardless of public infrastructure
• Improved taste, odour, and peace of mind
• Support for people with allergies or sensitivities

Town Water or Rainwater? Both Can Carry Risks

Even if you’re on a town water supply, PFAS can still make their way through to your home. However, if you’re collecting rainwater for household use, your risk profile is even higher.

Rainwater in Queensland can contain:

• Bird and animal waste from roof catchments
• Airborne chemicals from industrial activity or bushfire zones
• Low pH water that corrodes pipes and releases heavy metals into your water
• Tannins from decaying vegetation

This is why a whole-house system is often essential for homes on tank water — especially those with children, elderly residents, or frequent guests who aren’t used to untreated water.

How to Know If Your Filter Can Handle PFAS

If your current system doesn’t specify PFAS reduction, it likely doesn’t offer it.

Look for filters with:

• NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification for PFAS
• Activated carbon filters with high contact time
• RO or hybrid systems rated for PFAS contaminants
• Professional installation to avoid pressure drops or bypass issues

Creek to Coast Plumbing: Local Experts, Trusted Systems

As licensed Puretec installers, we design and install whole-house water filtration systems that are custom-fit to Queensland conditions, whether you’re on town supply or off-grid tank water. We work with homes across the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, and inland regions where filtration is about more than just taste, it’s about peace of mind.

And with yearly servicing and filter replacement, you’ll never have to wonder if your system is still working.

Call 1300 793 962 or contact us online

Want Water Filters That Actually Remove PFAS?

Ask us about:

• Whole House Carbon Block Filtration
  Treats all water entering your home, including taps, showers, appliances and fridge plumbing.
• UV + Carbon Combo Systems
  Powerful multi-stage systems that neutralise bacteria and filter chemical residues — perfect for rainwater and tank-fed properties.
• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Add-Ons for Drinking Water
  Installed discreetly under your kitchen sink for ultra-purified water at your most used outlets.