The WQA (Water Quality Association) describes PFAS as emerging contaminants of great concern in drinking water. In this article, we will break down four areas to help you understand PFAS contaminants.

  1. What is the definition of PFAS?
  2. Where do these contaminants come from?
  3. Why should you be concerned?
  4. What are the best mitigation/removal technologies

To get started, let’s provide a definition to help form a reference for these contaminants. PFAS would be more accurately stated as PFA’s. They are an overall category for PFOA and PFOS compounds. These are the two most common compounds being found and researched today. The American Cancer Society provides these definitions:

PFAS – lab-made chemicals known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Category)
PFOA – Perfluorooctanoic Acid (Compound) –
PFOS – Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (Compound)

PFOA and PFOS are a manufactured perfluorochemical and a byproduct in producing fluoropolymers. Perfluorochemicals (PFCs) are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water.

If you can pronounce these accurately, then your science background is well formed. From here on, we’ll try to keep this in simple terms.

After breaking down the acronyms, people often wonder what specific ways these chemicals were used. The NTP (National Toxicology Program – US Dept. of Human Health and Services) states that these chemicals were used to keep food from sticking to cookware, make stain-resistant sofas and carpets, waterproof clothing and mattresses, and may also be used in some food packaging, as well as in some fire fighting materials. Because they help reduce friction, they are also used in a variety of other industries including aerospace, automotive, building and construction, and electronics.

You probably recognize several of these types of products and may have used some of them yourself years ago. Unfortunately, these chemicals were not disposed of properly by their manufacturers decades ago and have now found their way into the groundwater supplies around our nation. These chemicals have been given the name “Forever Chemicals” because they last forever and do not break down in the environment. In some studies, they have been given a greater than 50,000 year expected life span. There is continuing research towards remediation. This research poses the questions; how do we remove PFAS out of the environment, and then how do we destroy them?

As you might think, with long lasting chemicals in our groundwater, there could be some health concerns. The health effects of PFAS on humans will vary depending on the research studies, but all are considered serious. 

Current peer-reviewed scientific studies have shown that exposure to certain levels of PFAS may lead to:

  • Reproductive effects such as decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women.
  • Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, or behavioral changes.
  • Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
  • Reduced ability of the body’s immune system to fight infections, including reduced vaccine response.
  • Interference with the body’s natural hormones.
  • Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.

On the ATSDR website (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), they make it a point to explain “not all of these studies involved the same groups of people, the same type of exposure, or the same PFAS.” As an emerging contaminant, the physical effects from exposure are something that need further research. 

Two technologies have been tested and recognized to remove up to 98% of PFAS from drinking water. Both the WQA and a Purdue University study identified reverse osmosis and activated carbon as reliable solutions.

A reverse osmosis system will include a membrane along with other filters in its system. The membrane is the key to the removal of most PFAS. Other filtration systems such as shell carbon filters, microfiltration, or ultrafiltration, will not remove PFAS effectively. A reverse osmosis system purifies your water versus filtering it. The membrane is a pressure driven technology with a small pore size that allows very few contaminants to pass through. A reverse osmosis  is a single point  system usually accessed at one faucet by the kitchen sink. It is not intended for whole home purification.

For whole home removal, Activated Carbon is another removal solution. Activated Carbon is a little more involved because its effectiveness depends on the exposure time of water to the proper level of carbon media for effective removal. This is not a do-it-yourself project. Contact your local water treatment dealer to provide you the expertise for proper removal of PFAS contaminants. 

A third technology is being researched with an Ion Exchange Resin. An Ion Exchange Resin is what you will find in your water softener. However, this new resin is designed differently to remove PFAS. Hopefully, more will come from this research soon.

With all this information you may be wondering “What should I do?”

Do your research and learn as much as you can. Whether you’re on municipal water or well water, our team at Pure Southern Water can help. We understand the water chemistry in the Nashville, TN area, the proper treatment, and maintenance. Fill out the form below or call us today at (931) 286-7454.

Already have their water system (superb)so I wanted to test the air system... they have….Unbelievable incredible and when you get the test readings on the air inside your house you will want this. Pure Southern Water are the experts and I trust them completely. A+++++++read more
Bob Hobson
Bob Hobson
20:26 21 Nov 23
I love everything about our Pure Southern Water system. As someone with... dry skin, I noticed a big difference in my skin and hair within days of having the system installed.If you’re unsure, give them a call for a water test and let them answer your questions. We were surprised at how many chemicals were in our water before and love the taste of our much cleaner water. Plus their customer service is top notch. Highly recommend!read more
Stephani Cook
Stephani Cook
11:55 19 Aug 23
The Pure Southern Water team was terrific, prompt, and very helpful! More... folks in TN need to call them to help with hard water etc!read more
Jason Welch
Jason Welch
15:24 11 Aug 23
We chose Pure Southern Water due to their local presence, ensuring... accessibility in case of any system issues. Unlike other companies offering similar products at higher costs, Pure Southern Water's pricing was more reasonable. Their communication throughout the installation process and subsequent follow-ups has been exceptional. Our research and online reviews raised concerns about maintenance availability, but Pure Southern Water's excellent customer service has alleviated those worries. I am confident they will be responsive whenever we require assistance in the future. Importantly, they did not rely on gimmicks or unsupported warranties; their transparency is commendable. I wholeheartedly recommend Pure Southern Water to anyone seeking a water softening/purification system.read more
Parker Hughes
Parker Hughes
15:14 10 Aug 23
This company is top notch and very efficient!!
Sean Whorley
Sean Whorley
15:22 05 May 23
Very professional !!!! And more importantly did everything that they... promised to do which is extremely rare nowadays. I never felt pressured to buy, didn't oversell us on a product, and they followed up after the purchase and install. Marla is the best!!!read more
L C
L C
20:13 01 May 23
Thank you Pure Southern Water team!They installed a whole house filter... system and Reverse Osmosis system. Installation was quick and our water tastes great now. No more bottled water. Would highly recommend!read more
Aziza Ulmasbaeva
Aziza Ulmasbaeva
01:10 26 Feb 23
So happy we went with Pure Southern Water. We originally got a quote from... home depot for the same product/service and it was almost twice the cost. The guys at Pure Southern Water were super friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. David was very responsive and supportive throughout the entire process and a joy to work with. We can already notice a difference in our water and are loving the high quality of everything done. I really can't say enough about them and highly, highly recommended them.read more
Christine Johnson
Christine Johnson
23:24 31 Jan 23
Pure Southern Water installed a whole home soft water system and... under-sink Reverse Osmosis system. While the systems themselves are great (I’m drinking a lot more water now that it doesn’t taste like the reservoir anymore!), the professionalism of the team was the best part. From the initial water test and estimate through installation and to the follow-up evaluation, they were all thorough and quick, but always happy to answer any and all questions and walk me in great detail through what to expect and how to operate and keep tabs on the systems. They even ran the RO through the crawl space to ensure my fridge water and ice had the same quality as the installed spigot by the sink. Just a first-class operation all around, even ensuring I didn’t have to lock my dog away while they did everything - took it all in stride as he sniffed and inspected the work.Highly recommend!read more
Richard Drane
Richard Drane
20:28 28 Jan 23
Really appreciate Drake and his team! Great service, would definitely... recommendread more
Erin Norton
Erin Norton
20:11 06 Jan 23
I called southern water because my water softener tank was doing some... weird things, they came out in a timely manner and fixed the issue. Very professional, would recommend these guys to anyone.read more
kaitlyn Fowler
kaitlyn Fowler
21:33 07 Dec 22
High quality water is vital for living a healthy lifestyle. We are... grateful for the complete home system Pure Southern Water installed for our family. Adding the R/O drinking system has created better than bottled water at our sink and fridge dispenser which also allows us to enjoy crystal clear ice to cool down our beverages. Highly recommend this system for anyone in the Nashville area looking for the highest quality system at affordable prices.read more
Eddie Martini
Eddie Martini
13:40 02 Nov 22
Fantastic filter system with even better sales support!
Shane Banks
Shane Banks
16:58 01 Nov 22
Great company with great people!
James Ezell
James Ezell
16:23 01 Nov 22
Great product even better service!! I highly recommend this water filter... system for anyoneread more
Tyler Lawrence
Tyler Lawrence
12:08 01 Nov 22
I love my new water system! The Pure Southern Water team responded to my... questions immediately and professionally, and the install process was flawless. I will recommend them to all my friends and family that need a new system!read more
Teal Young
Teal Young
21:26 31 Oct 22
Dustin came into our lives completely by accident, as we were attempting... to chase down the original company who installed our water softener. Turns out the original company is now out of business - but that didn’t stop Dustin from helping us! If anything, it made him even more determined to help fix our issue.What really impressed me was Dustin’s customer service, even though we had never technically been customers. He is such a gentleman and is incredibly professional, going so far as to patch up our system as much as he could without having the correct parts (he doesn’t sell this brand, but he STILL went out of his way to help us as much as possible!)Unfortunately our water softener is on its way out. But even so, I consider it a win since we will DEFINITELY be calling Pure Southern Water when the end finally comes! If they take such amazing care of folks who aren’t even technically customers, I know we’ll be extremely well taken care of when we buy our replacement water softener through them! Thanks Dustin!! You’re an absolute rock star!!read more
Nicole Wright
Nicole Wright
15:52 23 Aug 22
We are so thankful for Pure Southern Water. They were prompt with the... installation and answered all of our questions.We noticed a difference with our hair and skin within one day of having soft water!Knowing that our family has super clean drinking water from the RO system gives us great piece of mind.We can’t recommend Pure Southern Water enough.read more
Rachel Smith
Rachel Smith
03:41 03 Aug 22
Dustin and Drake are true professionals and experts at what they do. The... customer service and fast installation is unmatched. My family and I LOVE our new water softner and drinking water systems. I HIGHLY recommend Pure Southern Water.read more
Carolyn Williams
Carolyn Williams
10:31 20 May 22
Great team, really informative with solutions to getting better water. The... installation was excellent. Really happy with my experience and glad to support a local company.read more
Edgar Correa
Edgar Correa
18:11 13 May 22