PFAS Explained: The Forever Chemicals in Perth’s Water (and How to Remove Them)
PFAS… You’ve probably seen the headlines — “forever chemicals,” “toxic in tiny doses,” “found in drinking water worldwide.”
And yes… PFAS has been detected in Perth’s water supply.
Let’s break this down properly — what PFAS actually is, why it’s in Perth’s water, what it does to the human body, and more importantly, how you can remove it from the water coming out of your own taps.
What Are PFAS, Really?
PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances — a big group of man-made chemicals created in the 1940s.
They were designed to do useful things:
make products non-stick
repel water and oil
survive extreme temperatures
resist breakdown
That last point is the problem.
PFAS don’t break down — ever.
They stay in:
water
soil
air
animals
our bodies
That’s why they’re called forever chemicals.
How Did PFAS Get Into Perth’s Water?
PFAS are highly persistent “forever chemicals” that migrate from soil into groundwater and eventually drinking water.
PFAS contamination comes from decades of use in:
firefighting foams on military bases & airports
stain-resistant carpets and fabrics
food packaging
non-stick cookware
cleaning agents
industrial waste
In Perth, the biggest contributors have historically been:
firefighting foam runoff
landfill seepage
industrial sites
Once PFAS gets into groundwater, it spreads — and because it doesn’t break down, it stays for generations.
Perth’s PFAS situation
Perth relies heavily on:
groundwater from the Gnangara Mound
surface water
desalination (which removes PFAS)
Groundwater is where PFAS can show up.
Some bores and groundwater-fed areas near airports, industrial zones, and older firefighting training grounds have recorded high PFAS readings.
WaterCorp treats water to meet Australian Drinking Water Guidelines — but there is no such thing as a “safe” PFAS level, only a “recommended” one.
Even at parts per trillion, PFAS accumulates in the body over time.
Why PFAS Matter: The Health Impact
Everyday Drinking Water Exposure
Because water is consumed every day, even low-level contaminants like PFAS matter over the long term.
PFAS build up slowly in your blood, liver, and tissues.
Studies link long-term exposure to:
hormone disruption
thyroid issues
fertility problems
immune suppression
developmental issues in children
elevated cholesterol
liver damage
increased cancer risk (kidney, testicular)
To be clear:
This isn’t fear-mongering. It’s well-established toxicology.
And because PFAS don’t break down, they accumulate with every glass, every shower, every year.
How Do You Remove PFAS From Your Water?
Here’s the straight truth:
❌ Boiling water does NOT remove PFAS
❌ Standard sediment filters do NOT remove PFAS
❌ Cheap carbon filters remove some, but not nearly enough
❌ Reverse osmosis removes PFAS but only at one tap, not the whole home
The most effective whole-home method is:
1. High-Grade Activated Carbon Filtration (Designed for PFAS Removal)
PFAS chemicals are attracted to the pores inside high-quality carbon blocks.
But not all carbon filters are created equal.
To remove PFAS effectively, you need:
0.5 micron coconut carbon block with advanced adsorption capacity
long contact time
multi-stage filtration
This is exactly why Pure₂O uses PFAS-rated carbon blocks in the Premium system.
2. Multi-Stage Filtration for Maximum Reduction
The Pure₂O Premium System uses:
Stage 1 – 1 Micron Antibacterial Sediment Filter
Catches rust, sand, dirt, and protects the carbon block from clogging.
Stage 2 – 0.5 Micron PFAS-Targeting Coconut Carbon Block
Reduces:
PFAS
chlorine & chloramine
volatile organic compounds
microplastics
pesticides
chemical byproducts
Stage 3 – 0.22 Micron Hydrotech Carbon Block With Scale Control
Reduces:
cysts
fine particles
limescale
final polishing for clarity & taste
Together, these stages massively reduce PFAS load before the water reaches your taps, showers, skin, and family.
What About Reverse Osmosis?
RO is excellent for PFAS — but it treats only one tap and wastes water.
For whole-home protection, a carbon-based PFAS system is the smarter, more practical option.
How You Can Check Your Water for PFAS
PFAS testing requires:
specialist laboratories
advanced chromatography
detection at parts per trillion
It’s not something you can test with a pool kit or home-strip test.
Pure₂O can direct you to accredited testing labs if needed, but in reality:
Filtration is far cheaper than testing + waiting + retesting.
Bottom Line
PFAS chemicals are a global problem… But Perth’s reliance on groundwater makes the issue more real for local households.
The good news? - PFAS can be removed before it ever reaches your shower or drinking glass.
Pure₂O’s multi-stage whole-home filtration system is built specifically to target PFAS along with the other big Perth water problems: hardness, chlorine, sediment, and microplastics.
💧 Ready for safer, cleaner water?
Book your Free Water Quality Consultation and see how Pure₂O can protect your family from PFAS, chemicals, sediment, and hard water — all in one system.
