PFAS in Tap Water: What You Need to Know and How to Protect Your Family

It’s fair to say there’s a lot of a worry across Australia at the moment, and it’s all about what’s in our tap water. You’ve probably seen the headlines, maybe even caught wind of residents pursuing class action over ‘toxic tap water.’ The PFAS contamination is indeed a serious issue, and it’s got a lot of people wondering what is going on in our water and what we can do about it.

This issue was also highlighted in the documentary, How to Poison a Planet, which shows the shocking impact around the Royal Australian Air Force Base in Williamtown, New South Wales. The documentary, much like the American film Dark Waters starring Mark Ruffalo, explores the serious impact on local communities, including Aboriginal communities and the legal fights to hold polluters responsible.

Scientists are drawing clear lines between these PFAS chemicals and a whole host of health problems such as kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disorders, liver damage, issues with kids’ development, ulcerative colitis, elevated cholesterol levels, preeclampsia and high blood pressure in pregnant mums and even immune system dysfunction.

Major news outlets, including Channel 9, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have all been reporting on the PFAS problem, and understandably, it’s got a lot of people concerned.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Basically, they’re man-made chemicals that are brilliant at resisting water, stains and grease. You’ll find them in a lot of household gear and industrial products such as non-stick frypans, food packaging, waterproof jackets and even firefighting foams. Because they’re so good at not breaking down, they’ve earned the nickname: ‘forever chemicals’, as they just don’t disappear easily.

Now, that toughness is great for a frypan, but it’s bad news when these chemicals get into the environment and, eventually, into us. Because they stick around, they can build up in human bodies over years and years. And as we just talked about, that build-up is being linked by scientists to some pretty serious health conditions like cancer, liver issues and problems with our immune defences.

In response to widespread contamination concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced enforceable federal limits for six types of PFAS in tap water. These limits range between 4 and 10 parts per trillion (ppt). However, water utilities won’t be required to fully comply with these limits until 2028.

The EU has also taken strong action by setting strict limits on PFAS in drinking water and pushing forward comprehensive regulations to reduce PFAS pollution.

Last November, the My Water Filter team attended the Aquatech conference in Amsterdam, where PFAS removal and the incoming EU regulations were major topics of discussion.

Here’s a slide from one of the presenters at Nijhuis Industries:

As you can see, the EU directive sets a PFAS limit in tap water at 0.5 μg/L. However, each member state takes its own approach. Most countries limit or monitor PFAS at just 0.1 μg/L (based on the sum of 20 compounds). In the Netherlands, this regulation will officially take effect on January 26, 2026.

Unlike the U.S. and EU, Australia hasn’t implemented legally binding limits for PFAS in tap water yet. Instead, the country follows the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. These aren’t enforceable by law, but they do provide guidance for regulators and water suppliers.

According to these guidelines:

• The limit for PFOS is 0.07 μg/L (70 ppt).

• The limit for PFOA is 0.56 μg/L (560 ppt).

These levels are much higher than the U.S. EPA’s standards of 4 ppt for both PFOS and PFOA.

To address the issue, the Australian government developed the PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) to manage PFAS-contaminated sites and materials.

Looking ahead, Australia plans to introduce national controls by July 2025. These will regulate the use, manufacture, import and export of certain PFAS chemicals, which will also be listed in the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard Register.

You might be wondering what is meant by "certain PFAS', and is there more of them?

PFAS refers to a large group of synthetic chemicals—thousands of them, in fact. But the two most well-known and studied types are:

• PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) – a carboxylate PFAS

• PFOS (Perfluorooctane sulfonate) – a sulfonate PFAS

Both are commonly called C8 compounds because of the 8 carbon atoms in their molecular structure.

The key difference?

• Carboxylate PFAS contain a carboxylic acid group (-COOH)

• Sulfonate PFAS contain a sulfonic acid group (-SO₃H)

This difference makes PFAS useful in a wide range of products—but it also makes removing them from the environment and water supplies more challenging.

The EPA has done extensive research into the best technologies for removing PFAS from drinking water. According to their 2024 report, the most effective methods include:

• Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems

• Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Systems

• Ion Exchange (IX) Systems

RO systems are among the most effective for PFAS removal:

• Up to 99% Removal: RO filters water through a semi-permeable membrane. This effectively traps PFAS and other contaminants.

• Multi-stage Process: RO systems typically include pre- and post-carbon filters for added purification.

• Bonus: RO also removes heavy metals, bacteria and viruses, which makes it a great all-around water purification method.

Studies of RO Treatment for Carboxylate PFAS:

Studies of RO Treatment for Sulfonate PFAS:

GAC systems are another proven option:

• High Efficiency: Can remove over 99% of PFAS, including PFOS and PFOA.

• Maintenance Required: Filters need regular replacement or regeneration to stay effective.

• Performance Varies: Competing contaminants may affect how well GAC works over time.

Ion exchange (IX) systems are also effective in removing PFAS from drinking water:

• High Affinity: Specialised resins capture PFAS molecules through ion swapping.

• Regeneration: Resins can be reused, although the process can be complex and costly.

• Versatility: Works particularly well on long-chain PFAS but may need support to handle short-chain types.

By understanding what’s in your water and the best methods to remove PFAS, you can make informed decisions to protect your health and improve your water quality. Whether it’s reverse osmosis, GAC or ion exchange, the right system starts with knowing what you’re dealing with.

At My Water Filter, we’re passionate about helping you protect what matters most—your health and your family. That’s why we’re always staying ahead of the curve when it comes to clean water solutions.

Last November, two members of our team attended the Aquatech Conference in Amsterdam, where industry leaders from around the world gathered to discuss one of today’s biggest challenges: PFAS contamination.

Pictured above: My Water Filter Managing Director, Andrew Whannell organises his notes between presentations at the Aquatech Amsterdam, November, 2023.

Our participation in this event reflects our deep commitment to staying at the forefront of water filtration technology so we can continue helping Australians find the best ways to address modern water issues like PFAS or “forever chemicals.”

1. Install a Reverse Osmosis (RO) System
Our RO systems can remove up to 99% of PFAS. They offer some of the most advanced protection available for your drinking water today.

2. Add a Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filter
GAC filters are another powerful option for PFAS removal. They can be used on their own or alongside an RO system for even better results.

3. Test Your Water First
An initial water test can help you understand if there is PFAS in your water and how effective your filtration system is. Regular testing can be expensive, but even a one-time test provides valuable insight.

4. Stay Up to Date
We’re here to keep you informed. Follow our blog and sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news on water quality, contamination issues and filter technology.

The rise in PFAS contamination is concerning—but the good news is, you can take action. With the right tools and knowledge, it’s possible to protect your home and health.

At My Water Filter, we’re here to guide you every step of the way with expert support and high-quality water filtration systems. We're committed to helping you enjoy the cleanest, safest water possible—because you and your family deserve nothing less.