PFAS have become an increasingly important water-quality topic for Australian homeowners. As governments, water authorities and researchers continue to investigate these chemicals, many households are asking whether PFAS may be present in their drinking water and whether a home filtration system can help.
The subject can be difficult to understand because PFAS refers to a large group of chemicals rather than a single contaminant. Their presence also varies between locations, water sources and individual properties.
This guide explains what PFAS are, how they may enter drinking water, what the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines say and what homeowners should consider when selecting a water filtration system.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are manufactured chemicals that have been used in industrial processes and consumer products because of their resistance to heat, water, grease and stains.
PFAS have been used in products and applications including:
- Firefighting foams
- Non-stick cookware
- Water-resistant clothing
- Stain-resistant carpets and fabrics
- Paper and food packaging
- Cosmetics
- Metal-plating processes
- Some medical devices
According to the Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, PFAS can enter the environment at different stages of their lifecycle, from manufacturing and use through to disposal.
Some PFAS break down extremely slowly. For this reason, they are often referred to as forever chemicals. Certain PFAS can remain in soil, water, animals and the human body for extended periods.
More information is available from the Australian Government PFAS information page.
How Can PFAS Enter Drinking Water?
PFAS can enter surface water and groundwater when products containing these chemicals are manufactured, used, washed away or disposed of.
Possible sources include:
- Airports and defence facilities
- Locations where firefighting foam has been used
- Industrial and manufacturing sites
- Wastewater treatment facilities
- Landfills
- Contaminated soil
- Household and commercial products containing PFAS
Once PFAS enter soil or water, some compounds can travel away from the original source. Whether they affect a particular household depends on the local water source, previous land use, contamination history, water-treatment processes and monitoring programs.
Homes connected to a regulated mains water supply should begin by reviewing information from their local water authority. Homeowners using a private bore, well, rainwater tank or another unregulated supply may need to arrange their own water testing.
Are PFAS Present in All Australian Tap Water?
PFAS are not present at the same concentration in every Australian water supply.
A report of PFAS contamination in one suburb, town or catchment does not necessarily mean that nearby households have the same water-quality issue. Results can vary because different communities use different water sources and treatment systems.
Homeowners connected to mains water can ask their local water supplier for:
- Current water-quality reports
- PFAS monitoring results
- Information about the source of their water
- Details of any known contamination risks
- Information about treatment processes
- Advice from the relevant state or territory regulator
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends a risk-based approach to monitoring. This involves understanding the water source, identifying possible pollution sources and testing both untreated and treated water where appropriate.
For private water supplies, testing should be completed by a suitably qualified laboratory. PFAS analysis requires specialised equipment and sampling procedures, so standard home water-testing kits are generally not suitable.
What Do the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Say?
The National Health and Medical Research Council updated its PFAS advice in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines in June 2025.
The current health-based guideline values include:
| PFAS compound | Guideline value |
|---|---|
| PFOA | 200 nanograms per litre |
| PFOS | 8 nanograms per litre |
| PFHxS | 30 nanograms per litre |
| PFBS | 1,000 nanograms per litre |
At the time of the update, the NHMRC stated that it could not establish a health-based guideline value for GenX chemicals because the available evidence was insufficient.
These values are intended to support the long-term management of drinking-water quality. They should not be treated as a dividing line between water that causes immediate illness and water that does not.
The NHMRC states that short-term exposure above a guideline value is unlikely to create an immediate increase in health risk. It also notes that implementation of the guidelines is managed by individual Australian states and territories.
The complete guidance is available in the NHMRC Review of PFAS in Australian Drinking Water.
What Are the Possible Health Concerns?
Research into PFAS and human health is continuing.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control states that there is currently limited evidence of human disease or other clinically significant harm resulting from PFAS exposure. However, some studies have found associations between exposure to certain PFAS and biological effects such as:
- Increased cholesterol and uric acid levels
- Reduced kidney function
- Changes in indicators of immune function
- Changes in thyroid and sex hormone levels
- Lower birth weight
- Changes in the timing of menstruation or menopause
Some studies have also reported associations between exposure to PFOA or PFOS and an increased risk of kidney or testicular cancer.
An association does not necessarily establish that PFAS directly caused a health condition. Many of the studies reporting stronger associations involved communities with substantially higher exposure levels than are usually expected in Australia.
Because some PFAS can remain in the body and environment for a long time, Australian authorities recommend reducing unnecessary exposure as a precaution.
Further health information is available from the Australian Centre for Disease Control.
Anyone concerned about their personal health or previous PFAS exposure should speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
How Much PFAS Exposure Comes From Drinking Water?
Drinking water is only one possible source of PFAS exposure.
People may also be exposed through food, dust, packaging, fabrics, cosmetics and other consumer products. In locations with low levels of water contamination, the NHMRC has estimated that drinking water may represent a relatively small proportion of total PFAS exposure.
However, the contribution from drinking water may be more significant in communities located near a known contamination source.
This is why local testing information is important. A general news report cannot determine the PFAS concentration in an individual household’s water.
Can Home Water Filters Reduce PFAS?
Some water-treatment technologies can reduce certain PFAS when the equipment is correctly selected, installed and maintained.
The main technologies commonly considered for household PFAS treatment are:
- Granular activated carbon
- Reverse osmosis
- Ion exchange resin
Not every filter using one of these technologies will provide the same performance. Results depend on the type of PFAS, filter design, water chemistry, water usage, flow rate and maintenance schedule.
Homeowners should look for evidence relating to the complete filtration system and the exact product model rather than relying only on a general statement about the filter material.
Granular Activated Carbon
Granular activated carbon is commonly known as GAC. It works by attracting and retaining certain chemicals on the surface and inside the pores of the carbon media.
Its effectiveness can be influenced by:
- The PFAS compounds present
- The quality and quantity of carbon
- Water flow rate
- Contact time
- Other organic material in the water
- The age and condition of the filter
- The volume of water already treated
Carbon does not continue working indefinitely. Once the media reaches its treatment capacity, it must be replaced.
A carbon filter designed mainly to improve chlorine, taste or odour should not automatically be assumed to reduce PFAS. The supplier should be able to provide relevant test data or certification for the specific model.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis uses water pressure to move water through a fine membrane. The membrane separates treated water from a concentrate stream containing rejected dissolved substances.
Residential reverse osmosis systems are usually installed beneath the kitchen sink and supply a dedicated drinking-water tap. This makes them a point-of-use treatment option.
Reverse osmosis may be suitable when the main objective is to treat water used for:
- Drinking
- Cooking
- Preparing tea and coffee
- Washing fruit and vegetables
- Making ice
- Preparing infant formula, subject to medical advice
The United States Environmental Protection Agency identifies reverse osmosis as one of the household technologies that can reduce PFAS under suitable conditions.
Performance will depend on the system design, membrane condition, incoming water quality and replacement schedule. Reverse osmosis systems also produce a wastewater stream and require periodic filter and membrane replacement.
Read more about this technology in the HG Purewater guide to reverse osmosis and whole house filtration.
Ion Exchange Resin
Ion exchange systems contain specialised resin beads that attract and retain selected charged contaminants.
Their performance depends on factors such as:
- The type of resin
- The PFAS compounds present
- Water chemistry
- Water flow rate
- System capacity
- Competing contaminants
- The replacement schedule
Ion exchange is commonly used in specialised water-treatment applications. Homeowners considering this technology should request performance information relevant to their water test results.
Is Reverse Osmosis or Whole House Filtration Better for PFAS?
The most appropriate treatment point depends on the household’s water source, test results and intended use.
Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis
An under-sink reverse osmosis system treats water at one drinking-water outlet.
This approach may be suitable when:
- The main concern is drinking and cooking water
- The household wants advanced filtration at the kitchen sink
- Treating water at every tap is unnecessary
- Installation space is available beneath the sink
- The household is prepared to maintain the filters and membrane
Because a point-of-use system treats a smaller volume of water, it may be more practical than treating the entire household supply.
Whole House Filtration
A whole house filtration system is installed at the main water entry point and treats water before it reaches connected taps, showers and appliances.
Whole house treatment may be considered when:
- Laboratory testing has confirmed a water-quality concern
- A private supply requires treatment
- Water at several outlets needs to be filtered
- The system has been professionally sized for the property
- The media volume and water flow provide sufficient treatment time
A standard whole house carbon system should not automatically be described as a PFAS treatment system. The manufacturer or supplier should provide evidence showing which PFAS were tested, the conditions of the test and the expected treatment capacity.
In some homes, whole house filtration and an under-sink reverse osmosis system may be used together. The whole house system can address general water-quality concerns, while the reverse osmosis system provides additional treatment for drinking and cooking water.
What Should You Look for When Choosing a PFAS Filter?
Not every water filter has been designed or independently tested for PFAS reduction.
Before purchasing a system, ask the following questions.
Which PFAS Were Included in the Test?
PFAS is a broad chemical group. A system tested for PFOA and PFOS has not necessarily been tested for every other PFAS compound.
Ask the supplier to identify the specific compounds included in the performance test.
Was the Complete System Tested?
Testing an individual membrane, carbon sample or resin is not the same as testing the complete finished filtration system.
Complete-system testing provides more useful information about how the product may perform under stated operating conditions.
Is the Exact Model Certified?
Certification generally applies to a particular product model and configuration. A certification held by one product should not be assumed to apply to every product sold by the same company.
NSF advises consumers to look for systems certified under NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 with a specific PFAS reduction designation.
NSF/ANSI 53 generally applies to residential filtration products that reduce contaminants with potential health effects. NSF/ANSI 58 applies to reverse osmosis drinking-water systems.
Certification details can be checked through the NSF Certified Product Listings.
What Are the Test Conditions?
Performance can be affected by:
- Starting PFAS concentration
- Water temperature
- Water pressure
- Flow rate
- Water hardness
- Other contaminants
- Total volume treated
- Filter age
Ask for a performance data sheet that explains the conditions under which the system was tested.
What Is the Replacement Schedule?
A filter may become less effective after reaching its rated capacity.
Ask how frequently the filters or membranes must be replaced and whether the replacement interval is based on time, water volume or water-quality conditions.
What Ongoing Costs Are Involved?
The purchase price is only one part of the total cost.
Homeowners should also consider:
- Replacement cartridges
- Replacement membranes
- Professional servicing
- Water testing
- Installation
- Wastewater from reverse osmosis
- Disposal of used filter media
Why Filter Maintenance Is Important
A filtration system can only provide its intended performance when it is properly maintained.
Maintenance requirements may include:
- Replacing sediment filters
- Replacing carbon filters or media
- Replacing reverse osmosis membranes
- Replacing ion exchange resin
- Sanitising filter housings and storage tanks
- Checking water pressure and flow
- Inspecting seals and fittings
- Arranging follow-up water testing
The US EPA states that PFAS filters are effective only when maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Leaving a filter in service beyond its recommended capacity may reduce its effectiveness. In some circumstances, a heavily used filter may no longer provide the expected level of contaminant reduction.
More information is available in the US EPA guide to reducing PFAS with a home filter.
What Should You Do If You Are Concerned About PFAS?
Homeowners concerned about PFAS can follow these steps.
- Check the latest water-quality information from the local water supplier.
- Contact the relevant state or territory drinking-water regulator when additional information is needed.
- Arrange appropriate laboratory testing for private bores, wells, rainwater tanks or other unregulated supplies.
- Identify which PFAS compounds were detected and their concentrations.
- Compare the results with current Australian guidance.
- Select a treatment system based on the actual water-quality results.
- Request independent certification or performance data for the exact product model.
- Confirm installation, servicing and replacement requirements.
- Follow the recommended maintenance schedule.
- Consider follow-up testing when the water source has confirmed contamination.
Avoid choosing a filtration system solely because of a social-media post, a general news report or results from another suburb. Water treatment should be matched to the property’s water source and the contaminants that are actually present.
Choosing the Right Water Filtration System
PFAS contamination is a complex issue, and there is no single filtration solution that is suitable for every household.
For some homes, an independently tested under-sink reverse osmosis system may be a practical option for treating drinking and cooking water. Other properties may require activated carbon, ion exchange or a professionally designed combination of treatment stages.
Before recommending a system, factors that should be considered include:
- Water source
- Available water-quality results
- Contaminants of concern
- Required treatment point
- Household water usage
- Water pressure and flow rate
- Installation space
- Maintenance requirements
- Product testing and certification
A filtration system should not be represented as removing every PFAS compound under every possible water condition. Product recommendations should be based on credible test information and the requirements of the individual property.
Speak With HG Purewater
HG Purewater supplies reverse osmosis, whole house filtration and water-treatment solutions for Australian homes.
Our team can help you consider your water source, household requirements, installation options and ongoing filter-maintenance needs.
Visit the HG Purewater online shop to view available systems, or contact HG Purewater to discuss your water-filtration requirements.
Important Information
This article provides general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a water authority, environmental regulator, accredited laboratory or qualified healthcare professional.
Filtration performance varies between products and water conditions. Always review the certification, performance data and maintenance requirements for the exact system being considered.
References and Further Reading
National Health and Medical Research Council: Review of PFAS in Australian Drinking Water
Australian Centre for Disease Control: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
United States Environmental Protection Agency: Reducing PFAS in Drinking Water with a Home Filter