PFAS in Drinking Water: What Canadian Households Should Know
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are becoming an increasing concern for households across Canada. These man-made chemicals have been used for decades in products designed to resist heat, oil, stains, and water — including non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foams. What makes PFAS particularly concerning is their persistence. They do not break down easily in the environment or the human body, and over time, they can accumulate.
Because PFAS are colourless, odourless, and tasteless in water, their presence often goes unnoticed without specific testing. As awareness grows and scientific understanding evolves, many Canadians are beginning to ask an important question: what does PFAS mean for my household water?
What are PFAS?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals that share similar properties. Some PFAS have been phased out or restricted, but many remain in use today, and older compounds continue to persist in the environment due to their chemical stability.
Rather than behaving like a single contaminant, PFAS exist as a group. Different PFAS compounds move differently through soil and water, persist for different lengths of time, and respond differently to treatment. This is why PFAS are often discussed as a class rather than individually.
How PFAS end up in drinking water
PFAS can enter drinking water sources through a variety of pathways, including:
Industrial manufacturing and historical use sites
Firefighting foam usage, particularly near airports, military bases, and training facilities
Landfills and wastewater treatment systems
Runoff and groundwater movement from contaminated soil
Because PFAS are highly mobile and persistent, contamination can remain long after the original source has stopped. In some cases, PFAS have been detected far from where they were originally used.
For homeowners on private wells, this is especially important. Unlike municipal water systems, private wells are not regulated or routinely tested, meaning PFAS will not be detected unless you specifically request testing.
PFAS and health: what we know so far
Health Canada continues to review and assess the health impacts of PFAS exposure as new research becomes available. While the science is still evolving, studies have shown associations between certain PFAS and potential effects on cholesterol levels, immune response, fetal development, and other health indicators.
To help reduce long-term exposure, Health Canada has established an interim objective of 30 nanograms per litre (ng/L) for the combined total of 25 PFAS compounds in drinking water. This objective is designed to be protective over a lifetime of exposure and reflects the reality that people are typically exposed to multiple PFAS at once.
Rather than representing a sharp “safe vs unsafe” cutoff, this objective is intended to keep PFAS levels as low as reasonably achievable, recognizing both health considerations and treatment capabilities.
How to know if PFAS are in your water
The only way to know whether PFAS are present in your drinking water is through laboratory testing using PFAS-specific analytical methods.
If you are on municipal water, your local utility may be able to provide information on whether PFAS testing has been conducted and what the results were. For private well owners, PFAS testing must be requested through an accredited laboratory and is typically separate from standard water quality panels.
When reviewing PFAS test results, it’s important to understand:
Which PFAS compounds were tested
The detection limits used
How results compare to Health Canada’s interim objective
Reducing PFAS in your drinking water
PFAS are not removed by standard sediment filters or basic water treatment systems. Because of their chemical structure, they require advanced treatment technologies designed to reduce dissolved contaminants at very low concentrations.
For households looking to reduce PFAS exposure through drinking water, treatment generally falls into two categories: point-of-use treatment for drinking and cooking water, and point-of-entry treatment for the entire home.
Reverse osmosis for drinking water
Reverse osmosis (RO) is one of the most effective technologies for reducing PFAS in drinking water. RO systems work by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that rejects a wide range of dissolved contaminants, including PFAS.
Purus-H2O’s reverse osmosis systems are designed for point-of-use installation, typically at the kitchen sink. This approach provides treated water specifically for drinking and cooking, helping reduce PFAS exposure where ingestion is most likely to occur.
For many households, RO offers a practical and efficient solution, particularly when PFAS concerns are focused on drinking water rather than whole-home use.
Whole-home PFAS treatment with HomeShield
For homeowners who want to address PFAS throughout their entire water supply, a whole-home treatment approach may be preferred.
The HomeShield whole-home PFAS system from Purus-H2O is installed at the point of entry, treating water as it enters the home. This means PFAS reduction occurs before water reaches faucets, showers, appliances, and plumbing.
Treating water at this stage can help reduce overall household exposure and provide more consistent water quality across all uses. Whole-home PFAS treatment is particularly relevant for homes on private wells or in areas where PFAS have been identified in source water.
Choosing the right approach
There is no single solution that fits every household. The most appropriate treatment depends on:
Your water source (municipal or private well)
Whether PFAS are present and at what levels
Whether your primary concern is drinking water only or whole-home exposure
Your household’s water usage and long-term goals
Some households choose reverse osmosis for drinking water, while others prefer the added peace of mind of a whole-home PFAS system like HomeShield.
Taking a proactive approach
PFAS can feel overwhelming, especially because they aren’t visible and aren’t removed by conventional treatment. But understanding the issue is the first step toward managing it.
Testing your water, understanding your results, and choosing an appropriate treatment solution can help reduce long-term exposure and give you greater confidence in the water your household uses every day. As research and regulations continue to evolve in Canada, staying informed allows you to make decisions that support both water quality and peace of mind.