PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — have been in the news a lot lately, and for good reason. These synthetic chemicals, used in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam, are showing up in water supplies across the United States. They're called 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down in the environment or in the human body.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS is an umbrella term for a class of more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals that share a carbon-fluorine bond — one of the strongest bonds in chemistry. This is what makes them so useful in industrial applications (they're heat-resistant, water-resistant, and chemically stable) and so problematic in the environment (they don't degrade).
The two most studied PFAS compounds are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), both of which have been phased out of production in the United States but persist in the environment from decades of use. Newer PFAS compounds have replaced them in many applications.
Where Do PFAS Come From in Central Florida?
Central Florida has several potential PFAS sources. Military bases and airports that used AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) firefighting foam are a primary source — the foam contains high concentrations of PFAS that can leach into groundwater. Industrial facilities, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants are also potential sources.
The Floridan Aquifer, which supplies most of Central Florida's drinking water, is vulnerable to PFAS contamination from surface sources. While current testing data for Central Florida utilities shows PFAS levels below the EPA's new maximum contaminant levels (which took effect in 2024), the situation is evolving as testing becomes more widespread and sensitive.
The EPA finalized the first-ever national drinking water standards for PFAS in April 2024, setting MCLs for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion — the lowest level that can be reliably measured. The MCLG for both is zero.
What Removes PFAS?
Not all water treatment methods remove PFAS effectively. Standard carbon filtration has limited effectiveness against PFAS. The most effective treatment options are:
- Reverse osmosis (RO): The most effective method for PFAS removal at the point of use. A properly maintained RO system removes 90–99% of PFAS from drinking water.
- Granular activated carbon (GAC): Effective for some PFAS compounds, particularly longer-chain PFAS like PFOA and PFOS. Less effective for shorter-chain PFAS.
- Ion exchange resins: Highly effective for PFAS removal, particularly specialized resins designed for PFAS.
What This Means for Central Florida Homeowners
The most practical protection against PFAS at the drinking tap is a reverse osmosis system. Our tankless RO system removes 90–99% of PFAS from drinking water, along with virtually all other contaminants of concern — nitrates, radium, TTHMs, HAA5s, and more.
The whole-home carbon filter in our system provides additional protection for shower and bath water, where PFAS can be absorbed through skin or inhaled as steam. While the primary PFAS exposure route is ingestion, reducing exposure at all points of use is a reasonable precaution.