6 Ways to Protect Your Family from PFAS Chemicals in Water

Three weeks ago, I’m scrolling through news on my phone during lunch break when this headline stops me cold: “Cancer-Causing Chemicals Found in County Water Systems.”

My first thought? Not our water. Couldn’t be. We live in a decent area, our water tastes fine, never had any boil advisories or weird smells. But there it was in black and white—PFAS detected in multiple local water supplies, including ours, at levels the EPA now considers unsafe.

The article was pretty dry. Lots of scientific terminology and official statements from water departments about “continued monitoring” and “compliance timelines.” What really got to me was the tiny mention buried in the middle: potential links to cancer, immune system problems, and developmental issues in children.

That’s when it hit me. We’ve been drinking this water every day. My kids have been drinking this water every day. For years.

So yeah, I may have gone into full research mode after that. Spent the next few evenings diving deep into PFAS contamination, calling our water utility with probably too many questions, and figuring out what we could actually do about it.

The good news? Unlike many environmental threats, PFAS exposure through drinking water is something you can actually tackle at home. You don’t need a chemistry degree or a massive budget – just some practical knowledge and a willingness to make a few changes.

Here are six proven ways I’ve learned to reduce my family’s PFAS exposure through water, starting with the most important ones.

1. Install a Quality Water Filter (The Game Changer)

Let’s start with the big one. Most tap water filters you see advertised – those pitcher filters, fridge filters, basic faucet attachments – aren’t designed to remove PFAS. It’s like bringing a butter knife to a gun fight.

For PFAS removal, you need one of these proven technologies:

Reverse Osmosis (My Top Pick) I ended up installing an under-sink RO system after comparing options for months. It removes 95-99% of PFAS, plus a bunch of other contaminants I didn’t even know about. Cost me around $400 for a decent system, plus about $100 yearly for filter replacements.

The downsides? It’s slower than regular tap water (takes about 30 seconds to fill a glass), and it removes beneficial minerals along with bad stuff. But honestly, I sleep better knowing what’s NOT in our drinking water.

Granular Activated Carbon (Budget-Friendly Option) These systems cost less upfront ($150-$300) and don’t require as much maintenance. They remove about 70-90% of PFAS, which isn’t perfect but still significant. Look for filters specifically certified for PFAS removal – regular carbon filters won’t cut it.

Ion Exchange Systems These are particularly good at removing shorter-chain PFAS that some other filters miss. They’re pricier ($400-$700) but highly effective when combined with carbon filtration.

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s certified by NSF International or the Water Quality Association for PFAS removal. Don’t trust marketing claims alone.

2. Get Your Water Tested First (Know Your Enemy)

Before I bought any filters, I spent $250 testing our water for PFAS. Best money ever spent, because it told me exactly what I was dealing with.

Many people skip this step and jump straight to filtration, but testing first helps you:

• Choose the right type of filter for your specific PFAS contamination
• Establish a baseline to measure improvement
• Avoid overspending on unnecessary treatment

Where to Test:

• State-certified labs (search “[your state] certified water testing labs”)
• Some hardware stores now offer PFAS test kits
• Your water utility might test for free if you ask nicely

If you’re on well water, testing is even more critical since you don’t have a utility monitoring your supply.

The test results might look intimidating – lots of abbreviations and numbers. Focus on the total PFAS concentration and compare it to the EPA’s new limits (4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS).

3. Use Filtered Water for Everything You Consume

This sounds obvious, but it’s easy to forget all the ways we consume tap water beyond drinking glasses.

I made a mental checklist of every way my family uses water that enters our bodies:

• Drinking water (duh)
• Coffee and tea brewing
• Cooking pasta, rice, soups
• Making ice cubes
• Baby formula preparation
• Brushing teeth
• Washing fruits and vegetables

That last one surprised me. If you’re washing produce in PFAS-contaminated water, you’re potentially adding chemicals to foods you’re trying to make healthier.

I keep a large pitcher of filtered water on the counter for cooking and a smaller one in the fridge for drinking. It’s become second nature, and the kids actually prefer the taste of filtered water now.

4. Be Strategic About Bottled Water (But Don’t Rely on It Long-Term)

When our RO system needed repairs last month, I temporarily switched to bottled water. But here’s the thing – bottled water isn’t automatically PFAS-free.

The FDA doesn’t currently regulate PFAS in bottled water, and testing has found these chemicals in various brands. Plus, bottled water creates its own environmental problems and gets expensive fast.

That said, if you need a short-term solution while installing filtration or during emergencies, look for:

• Brands that specifically advertise PFAS testing
• Spring water from protected sources
• Distilled water (though it tastes terrible)

Some companies now market “PFAS-free” bottled water, but verify their testing claims before trusting them completely.

5. Reduce Other PFAS Sources While You’re at It

Since I was already worried about PFAS, I figured I might as well tackle other sources around the house. Water isn’t the only way these chemicals enter our bodies.

Kitchen Changes:

• Ditched our old nonstick pans for stainless steel (took some getting used to, but now I actually prefer them)
• Stopped buying microwave popcorn (those bags are lined with PFAS)
• Reduced takeout from places using greaseproof containers

Personal Care Products:

• Checked labels on cosmetics, dental floss, and menstrual products
• Found PFAS-free alternatives for most items (surprisingly easy once you start looking)

Clothing and Household Items:

• Avoided “stain-resistant” and “water-repellent” treatments
• Chose regular carpet instead of stain-resistant versions when we renovated

These changes didn’t happen overnight, and I didn’t throw out everything at once. I just made different choices as items needed replacing.

6. Stay Informed and Get Involved Locally

Knowledge is power, especially with an issue that’s evolving as quickly as PFAS regulation.

I set up Google alerts for “PFAS” and my city’s name to catch local developments. Turned out our water utility was planning system upgrades that would include PFAS treatment – information I never would have known otherwise.

What I Do to Stay Current:

• Follow the EPA’s PFAS updates
• Check my state’s environmental agency website quarterly
• Attend occasional city council meetings (yes, they’re boring, but water quality discussions are actually interesting)
• Join local Facebook groups focused on environmental health

I also learned that federal funding is available to help communities address PFAS contamination. Our town applied for grants to upgrade the water treatment plant – something that benefits everyone, not just people who can afford home filtration systems.

Advocate for Your Community:

• Ask your water utility about their PFAS testing schedule
• Support infrastructure investments for water treatment upgrades
• Push for stronger regulations on PFAS manufacturing and disposal

What About My Kids?

This whole journey started with concern for my children, so here are some kid-specific considerations:

Infants and Toddlers:

• Never mix formula with unfiltered tap water if PFAS are detected
• Breastfeeding mothers should use filtered water too (PFAS can transfer through breast milk)
• Watch out for sippy cups and bottles made with PFAS-containing materials

School-Age Kids:

• Pack filtered water in reusable bottles for school
• Talk to your school about their water quality testing
• Consider what they’re drinking at friends’ houses and activities

Teenagers:

• Explain why you’re using filtered water so they understand the importance
• Make sure they know to use filtered water for things like contact lens care

The goal isn’t to make kids paranoid about water, but to create healthy habits they’ll carry into adulthood.

Making It All Work in Real Life

Let me be honest – implementing all these changes took months, not days. I started with water testing and filtration, then gradually addressed other sources.

The key is not letting perfect become the enemy of good. Even if you only install a basic PFAS-removal filter and start using it for drinking water, that’s still a significant reduction in exposure.

Some weeks I forget to refill the filtered water pitcher and end up using tap water for cooking. The world doesn’t end. I just try to be more consistent the next week.

My family has adapted well to these changes. The kids actually like helping change the water filters (it’s become a monthly science lesson), and we’ve discovered we prefer the taste of filtered water for coffee and tea.

The peace of mind is worth the effort and expense. When I hear news about PFAS contamination in other communities, I’m grateful we’ve taken steps to protect ourselves rather than just hoping our water supply stays clean.

PFAS contamination is a serious issue that requires both individual action and systemic change. While we’re working toward better regulations and cleanup efforts, protecting our families starts at home – literally at the tap.

Take it one step at a time, focus on the changes that make the biggest difference, and remember that even small reductions in exposure add up over time. Your future self (and your kids’ future selves) will thank you for taking action today.