PFAS Removal in Colorado

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — a large group of human-made chemicals used since the 1940s for their water-, stain-, and heat-resistant properties. The most studied are PFOA and PFOS, but the category includes thousands of related compounds. They're sometimes called 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down easily in the environment — or in the human body.

PFAS reaches drinking water through industrial discharges, wastewater outflow, firefighting foam (especially near military bases and airports), and the breakdown of products that contain them. Colorado has documented PFAS detections in both municipal supplies and private wells across multiple watersheds, with particular concern in Southern Colorado.

PFAS isn't part of a standard water quality test — it has to be requested specifically. We arrange a PFAS panel through a certified lab, which tests for the most common compounds (PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and others) down to parts-per-trillion levels. If you live near a known contamination source or use well water near industrial or agricultural land, testing is a sensible precaution.

Reverse osmosis is the most effective residential option — it brings most PFAS compounds below detection. Activated carbon (especially in tank-style GAC filters) is the second-most effective, with stronger performance against long-chain PFAS. NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certified systems are what to look for if you want a tested-and-verified claim.

Most pitcher filters are not certified for PFAS reduction, and the ones that are have limited effectiveness — particularly against shorter-chain PFAS compounds. For meaningful PFAS reduction, point-of-use RO or a certified carbon block system is the more reliable answer.

The EPA finalized the first national PFAS drinking water standards in April 2024, setting enforceable maximum contaminant levels of 4.0 parts per trillion for both PFOA and PFOS. The EPA's PFAS regulation page outlines the full standard, including limits for GenX, PFHxS, PFNA, and a hazard index for combined exposure. Public water systems must complete initial monitoring by 2027.

Yes. The CDC/ATSDR has documented associations between PFAS exposure and immune system effects, liver and kidney changes, hormonal disruption, developmental effects, and certain cancers. Most of the concern is around long-term, low-level exposure — the kind that builds up over years of drinking contaminated water.

No — boiling water does not remove PFAS. In fact, boiling can slightly concentrate PFAS because water evaporates while the chemicals remain. PFAS removal requires filtration — specifically reverse osmosis, activated carbon, or ion exchange media designed and certified for PFAS reduction. No amount of boiling, freezing, or letting water sit will reduce PFAS levels.

We recommend annual PFAS testing if you're on a private well or live near a known contamination source. For municipal water customers, the utility is now required to test and report PFAS levels — but if you want to verify what's coming out of your specific tap, an independent test is the only way to know for sure.

Whole-house PFAS removal is possible but significantly more expensive than point-of-use treatment. Most homeowners choose an under-sink RO system at the kitchen tap — that's where nearly all drinking and cooking water comes from. If you want whole-house treatment, we can design a system, but the cost and maintenance are substantially higher.