PFAS have become an important water-quality concern for homeowners across Australia. These manufactured chemicals have been used in industrial processes and everyday products for decades, and some can remain in the environment for a very long time.
As awareness grows, many homeowners are asking similar questions. Are PFAS present in Australian tap water? What are the possible health concerns? Can reverse osmosis or whole house filtration reduce PFAS?
This article explains what PFAS are, how they may enter drinking water and what homeowners should consider before purchasing a water filtration system.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It is a general name for a large group of human-made chemicals developed for their resistance to heat, oil, grease, stains and water.
PFAS have been used in products and applications including:
- Firefighting foam
- Non-stick cookware
- Water-resistant clothing
- Stain-resistant carpets and furniture
- Food packaging
- Cosmetics
- Metal-plating processes
- Industrial coatings
- Some medical devices
Many PFAS do not break down easily in the environment. For this reason, they are often referred to as forever chemicals.
Certain PFAS can move through soil, enter groundwater and remain in waterways for extended periods. Some may also accumulate in animals and the human body.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control provides further information about PFAS exposure and potential health effects in Australia.
How Can PFAS Enter Drinking Water?
PFAS can enter water supplies when products containing these chemicals are manufactured, used, washed away or disposed of.
Possible sources include:
- Airports
- Defence facilities
- Fire-training areas
- Industrial sites
- Manufacturing facilities
- Wastewater treatment plants
- Landfills
- Contaminated soil
- Firefighting foam storage or use areas
When PFAS are released onto land, some compounds may move into surface water or groundwater. They may then enter a drinking-water source.
PFAS can also enter wastewater when products containing these chemicals are washed or disposed of through household and commercial drains.
Whether PFAS affect a particular home depends on several factors, including:
- The source of the household’s water
- Previous land use in the surrounding area
- Nearby industrial or firefighting activities
- Local contamination history
- Water-treatment processes
- Monitoring by the local water authority
A report of PFAS contamination in one suburb or water catchment does not mean that every Australian household has the same water-quality issue.
Are PFAS Present in Australian Tap Water?
PFAS concentrations vary between locations and water supplies.
Homes connected to mains water should begin by checking the latest information published by their local water authority. Water suppliers may provide:
- Annual water-quality reports
- PFAS testing results
- Information about the source of the water
- Details of treatment processes
- Public notices about water-quality concerns
- Contact information for further enquiries
The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends a risk-based approach to PFAS monitoring. This means understanding the water source, identifying possible contamination risks and monitoring both untreated and treated water where appropriate.
Water suppliers are also encouraged to share current testing information with their communities.
Homeowners using a private bore, well, rainwater tank or other unregulated supply may need to arrange their own water testing. Responsibility for testing a private supply generally rests with the property owner.
PFAS testing requires specialised laboratory equipment and careful sampling procedures. Standard home water-testing kits are unlikely to provide reliable PFAS results.
Australian Drinking Water Guideline Values for PFAS
The National Health and Medical Research Council updated the PFAS advice in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines in June 2025.
The 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 a health-based guideline value could not be established 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 interpreted as a clear 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. The guideline values were developed using cautious assumptions intended to minimise potential risks from long-term exposure.
Implementation of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines is managed by individual states and territories.
Homeowners can read the complete NHMRC review of PFAS in Australian drinking water.
What Are the Possible Health Concerns?
Research into PFAS and human health is continuing.
According to the Australian Centre for Disease Control, there is currently limited evidence of human disease or clinically significant harm resulting from PFAS exposure. However, studies have found associations between exposure to some PFAS and certain biological effects.
Reported associations include:
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Increased uric acid levels
- Reduced kidney function
- Changes in immune-function indicators
- Changes in thyroid hormone levels
- Changes in 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 prove that PFAS directly caused a health condition. Many studies reporting stronger associations examined communities with exposure levels higher than those normally expected in Australia.
Because some PFAS can remain in the body for a long time, Australian health authorities recommend reducing unnecessary exposure as a precaution.
Anyone concerned about their health or previous exposure should consult a qualified healthcare professional. A water filter supplier cannot diagnose PFAS-related health conditions or provide individual medical advice.
Is Drinking Water the Only Source of PFAS Exposure?
Drinking water is only one possible source of PFAS exposure.
People may also be exposed through:
- Food
- Food packaging
- Household dust
- Cosmetics
- Stain-resistant fabrics
- Water-resistant clothing
- Industrial products
- Contaminated soil
- Contaminated fish or other food sources
In areas with low levels of water contamination, the NHMRC has previously estimated that drinking water may contribute a relatively small proportion of total PFAS exposure.
However, drinking water may be a more significant source in communities located near a known contamination site.
This is why homeowners should look for local water-quality information rather than relying on general news reports or test results from an unrelated area.
How Can You Find Out Whether PFAS Are in Your Water?
Homeowners connected to mains water can take the following steps:
- Identify the local water supplier.
- Review the supplier’s most recent water-quality report.
- Search for PFAS monitoring or testing results.
- Contact the water supplier if the published information is unclear.
- Contact the relevant state or territory drinking-water regulator when additional guidance is required.
Owners of private water supplies should consider professional laboratory testing when:
- The property is near a known PFAS investigation area
- Firefighting foam has been used nearby
- The property is close to an airport or defence facility
- The bore draws from potentially affected groundwater
- A regulator has issued local contamination advice
- Previous testing has identified PFAS in the area
Testing should be completed by a suitably accredited laboratory using an appropriate PFAS analysis method.
Can Home Water Filters Reduce PFAS?
Some household water-treatment technologies can reduce certain PFAS when the system is correctly selected, installed and maintained.
The principal technologies commonly considered for PFAS reduction are:
- Granular activated carbon
- Reverse osmosis
- Ion exchange resin
However, not every carbon filter, reverse osmosis system or ion exchange cartridge has been tested for PFAS reduction.
Performance can depend on:
- The PFAS compounds present
- The starting concentration
- Water chemistry
- Filter design
- Amount of filtration media
- Water flow rate
- Contact time
- Total volume treated
- Filter condition
- Maintenance schedule
Homeowners should request evidence relating to the exact filtration model rather than relying on a general statement about the filtration technology.
Granular Activated Carbon
Granular activated carbon is commonly known as GAC.
Carbon contains a network of small pores that provide a large surface area. As water passes through the media, selected chemicals can attach to the carbon surface.
The effectiveness of activated carbon can be influenced by:
- The type of PFAS
- Carbon quality
- Carbon quantity
- Water flow
- Contact time
- Other organic substances in the water
- The age of the filter
- The total amount of water treated
Activated carbon has a limited treatment capacity. It must be replaced before the media becomes exhausted.
A standard carbon filter designed to improve chlorine, taste or odour should not automatically be assumed to provide verified PFAS reduction.
The supplier should be able to explain:
- Which PFAS compounds were tested
- Whether the complete filter was tested
- The test conditions
- The treatment capacity
- The replacement interval
- Whether the claim has independent certification
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis uses water pressure to move water through a fine membrane. The membrane separates treated drinking water from a concentrate stream containing rejected substances.
Residential reverse osmosis systems are commonly installed beneath a kitchen sink and connected to a dedicated drinking-water tap.
A typical reverse osmosis system may include:
- A sediment pre-filter
- An activated carbon pre-filter
- A reverse osmosis membrane
- A carbon post-filter
- An optional remineralisation cartridge
The United States Environmental Protection Agency identifies reverse osmosis as one of the household technologies capable of significantly reducing certain PFAS under suitable conditions.
Reverse osmosis performance depends on:
- Membrane quality
- Membrane condition
- Incoming water pressure
- Water temperature
- Water chemistry
- Filter maintenance
- The PFAS compounds present
RO systems also produce a wastewater stream during treatment. Filters and membranes must be replaced according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Ion Exchange Resin
Ion exchange systems use specialised resin beads that attract and retain selected charged contaminants.
Performance may depend on:
- Resin type
- PFAS composition
- Water chemistry
- Competing contaminants
- Water flow rate
- Contact time
- System capacity
- Replacement schedule
Ion exchange may be used as part of a specialised PFAS treatment system. Homeowners should request performance data relevant to the compounds identified in their water.
Reverse Osmosis or Whole House Filtration
The appropriate treatment point depends on the household’s water source, PFAS test results and filtration objectives.
Point-of-Use Reverse Osmosis
An under-sink reverse osmosis system treats water at one outlet, normally the kitchen drinking-water tap.
This may be suitable when:
- The primary concern is drinking and cooking water
- Treatment is not required at every household outlet
- The system has appropriate PFAS reduction data
- The household can follow the required maintenance schedule
- Installation space is available beneath the sink
Because point-of-use systems treat a smaller volume of water, they may be more practical than treating the complete household supply.
Whole House Filtration
A whole house filtration system treats water as it enters the property.
This may be considered when:
- A private water supply has confirmed contamination
- Water at multiple outlets requires treatment
- The equipment has been professionally sized
- The media volume provides sufficient contact time
- The system has relevant performance data
- Ongoing servicing and media replacement are planned
A standard whole house carbon filter should not automatically be marketed as a PFAS treatment system.
The manufacturer or supplier should provide evidence showing the compounds tested, reduction results, treatment capacity and operating conditions.
In some properties, a whole house system may be combined with an under-sink reverse osmosis system. The whole house system can address general sediment, chlorine, taste or odour concerns, while the RO system provides additional treatment for drinking and cooking water.
What Certification Should You Look For?
Independent certification can help homeowners verify whether a product has been tested for a specific contaminant-reduction claim.
The US EPA advises consumers to look for products certified under:
- NSF/ANSI 53 for PFAS reduction
- NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis systems with PFAS reduction claims
Certification should apply to the exact product model being considered.
A company may sell several water filters, but a certification for one model does not automatically apply to every product in its range.
Homeowners should check:
- The exact model number
- The certification standard
- The contaminants included in the claim
- The certification body’s product directory
- The required replacement cartridge
- The rated treatment capacity
The US EPA also notes that certification standards may focus on selected PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS. Certification should not be interpreted as proof that a filter removes every PFAS compound under all conditions.
More information is available from the US EPA guide to identifying filters certified to reduce PFAS.
Questions to Ask Before Buying a PFAS Filter
Before choosing a system, ask the supplier the following questions.
Which PFAS Compounds Were Tested?
PFAS is a large chemical group. A product tested for PFOA and PFOS may not have been tested for PFHxS, PFBS or other compounds.
Was the Complete System Tested?
Testing an individual membrane, carbon sample or resin is different from testing the complete finished system.
Was the Test Independent?
Ask whether the testing was completed by an independent accredited laboratory or certification body.
What Was the Reduction Result?
Request the starting concentration, final concentration and percentage reduction.
What Was the Treatment Capacity?
A filter may perform well when new but become less effective after treating a certain volume of water.
What Maintenance Is Required?
Confirm the replacement schedule for:
- Sediment filters
- Carbon filters
- Reverse osmosis membranes
- Post-filters
- Ion exchange cartridges
- Whole house media
Does the System Suit Your Water Conditions?
Water pressure, hardness, sediment and other contaminants may affect system performance.
Why Filter Maintenance Matters
A PFAS filter is only effective when maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Over time, carbon and ion exchange media can reach their treatment capacity. Reverse osmosis membranes may also become fouled or lose performance.
Maintenance may include:
- Replacing sediment pre-filters
- Replacing carbon cartridges
- Replacing reverse osmosis membranes
- Replacing ion exchange resin
- Sanitising housings and storage tanks
- Checking pressure and flow
- Inspecting fittings and seals
- Recording service dates
- Conducting follow-up testing where appropriate
The US EPA states that filters must be replaced according to the manufacturer’s schedule to continue providing the expected PFAS reduction.
Read the US EPA guide to reducing PFAS in drinking water with a home filter.
What Should You Do If You Are Concerned About PFAS?
Homeowners concerned about PFAS can follow these practical steps:
- Check the latest information from the local water supplier.
- Find out whether the local supply has been tested for PFAS.
- Contact the state or territory drinking-water regulator when necessary.
- Arrange professional laboratory testing for private or unregulated supplies.
- Identify the specific compounds and concentrations detected.
- Compare the results with current Australian guidance.
- Choose treatment based on actual water-quality information.
- Request independent testing or certification for the exact filter model.
- Follow all installation and maintenance instructions.
- Consider follow-up water testing when contamination has been confirmed.
Avoid purchasing a filtration system solely because of a social-media post, general news report or test result from another location.
Water treatment should be selected according to the property’s water source and the contaminants actually present.
Choosing a Water Filtration System
There is no single PFAS filtration solution suitable for every household.
For some homes, an independently tested under-sink reverse osmosis system may be a practical option for drinking and cooking water.
Other properties may require:
- Granular activated carbon
- Ion exchange
- Whole house treatment
- Multiple filtration stages
- Professional water testing
- A system designed around the property’s flow requirements
Important factors include:
- Water source
- Laboratory results
- PFAS compounds detected
- Required treatment point
- Household water usage
- Water pressure
- Available installation space
- Filter replacement costs
- Certification and testing
- Ongoing maintenance
No household filter should be represented as removing every PFAS compound under every possible water condition.
Speak With HG Purewater
HG Purewater supplies reverse osmosis and whole house water filtration solutions for Australian homes.
Our team can help you consider:
- Your household’s water source
- Drinking-water filtration requirements
- Whole house treatment options
- Installation requirements
- Replacement-filter schedules
- Available product testing information
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 supplier, drinking-water regulator, environmental authority, accredited laboratory or qualified healthcare professional.
Filtration performance varies between systems and water conditions. Review the testing, certification and maintenance requirements for the exact product before purchasing.
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
Australian Government: PFAS Information and Resources
US EPA: Reducing PFAS in Drinking Water with a Home Filter
US EPA: Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce PFAS