Does Boiling Water Remove PFAS?

With a name like “forever chemicals,” it’s not surprising that PFAS are difficult to remove from drinking water. Some techniques work better than others — and some don’t work at all.

For example, boiling water doesn’t remove PFAS. It’s a good solution for certain types of contaminants, like bacteria and viruses, but it isn’t effective against these forever chemicals. Treating PFAS demands a more comprehensive solution, like a water filtration system designed specifically to address these unique impurities.

Here’s what to know about PFAS, why boiling won’t work and what you can do instead.

PFAS and Boiling Water: A Look at the Science

To understand why boiling isn’t a cure-all, especially when it comes to PFAS, it’s important to start with the science.

First, you should know that PFAS are man-made chemicals designed to protect consumer products from degradation. The only problem is that they’ve done their job a little too well. Since their first utilization in the 1940s, PFAS chemicals have been used in everything from clothing and carpeting to food packaging, nonstick cookware and firefighting foam — and now, thanks to their resilience and longevity, we’re finding it difficult to get rid of them. In fact, PFAS chemicals can now be found in air, water, animals and even human bodies around the world.

How have these contaminants managed to become so pervasive? Part of what makes them “forever chemicals” is their resistance to grease, oil, water, and heat, which is why it makes sense that boiling wouldn’t get rid of them. In fact, boiling can also make PFAS concentrations worse, which means you may be working against yourself if you’re trying to improve your water quality this way.

It’s helpful to know that boiling isn’t a catch-all solution for other contaminants, either. It’s the right water treatment solution for certain germs, toxins and other issues. City water officials may also recommend this approach during emergencies as part of a boil water advisory. But even then, boiling isn’t an effective long-term solution, especially because it’s inefficient for large quantities of water.

Thinking about switching to single-serve bottled water to stay away from PFAS contaminants? Unfortunately, this won’t work either; there can be PFAS in bottled water, too.

What does this mean for you? If you are trying to avoid PFAS, the answer is simple: Skip boiling altogether and look to water filtration instead.

A Better Solution for PFAS in Water

To avoid PFAS exposure from your water, you need a water treatment system designed to handle these chemicals. Fortunately, two types of filter systems can get the job done:

Drinking Water Filtration

Drinking water filtration systems can use reverse osmosis (RO) and other methods to address PFAS contamination. Because they don’t rely on heat like boiling does, they’re more effective at managing PFAS levels — and, better yet, they come with a long list of other advantages. With the right filtration stages in place, RO systems can treat many contaminants you can’t spot on your own, like arsenic or lead, in addition to aesthetic issues like taste and odor.

Whole-House Filtration

A whole-house water filter system treats all the water that flows into your home. Some are designed to address PFAS chemicals, which means you can count on better water at every tap. Just make sure you find one that’s certified for PFAS treatment, such as the Culligan Aquasential® Whole Home PFAS Water Filter, because not all systems are capable.

Of course, there’s plenty more to love about whole-house water filtration. They address a long list of common contaminants, including iron, sediment and sulfur, and can help improve flavor.

How To Treat PFAS in Water

Are you ready to tackle PFAS contamination and improve your home’s water quality? Here’s how to get started:

#1: Testing

The first item on your PFAS to-do list is to get your home’s water tested. Since you can’t see, smell or taste forever chemicals, you won’t know if they’re present until you get an expert opinion.

Fortunately, PFAS testing is simple and stress-free. You can order a low-cost, at-home test kit with clear instructions, quick steps and everything you need to get started. In 10 business days, you’ll get a report covering the PFAS levels in your water supply.

You can also have your local water expert complete all the steps for you instead as part of an overall water test and consultation. There are plenty of benefits to this approach; for example, you’ll get even more information about your home’s water, which contaminants may be present and how best to treat them.*

#2: Recommendations

When your test results come back, your local water expert will be ready with personalized recommendations. This step involves taking a close look at your test to find out how best to manage PFAS levels — but if you have the additional free water testing, you can go one step further.

That’s because your expert will rely on years of water treatment experience to recommend the solutions that fit several criteria, including your:

• PFAS needs
• Other water filtration goals
• Taste preferences
• Budget

You’ll get the chance to ask questions about each recommended system and research them on your own if you want. That way, you can be confident in your decision long before installation day.

#3: System Selection

When learning more about your water treatment recommendations, it’s helpful to know what to think about. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Should you choose drinking water or whole-home filtration?
Do you want any optional features like mineral boost cartridges for pH balance?
Do you want smart features like Wi-Fi connectivity, water conservation tracking and more?
Should you consider a water-softening system to complement your filtration solution?

Once you’ve made your selection, your water expert will handle the rest.

PFAS and Water Quality FAQs

Still have questions about PFAS in your drinking water? Here’s what to know:

Does All Water Have PFAS?

No matter what water source feeds your home’s tap, there’s a chance it has PFAS contamination. That’s because these chemicals have been found just about everywhere in our environment. Since you can’t tell for sure based on sight or smell – and because there are thousands of types of PFAS scientists are still researching – it’s always best to start with a test to be sure.

On top of that, it’s important to note that municipal water system testing and treatment doesn’t yet account for PFAS despite recently passed regulations in the U.S., and that private wells aren’t managed by any water authority. That means you should take control of your own water quality no matter where it comes from.

What Are the Health Effects of PFAS?

One of the main problems with PFAS research is that there are thousands of different types of PFAS chemicals that make up this family, and each may have its own effects and interactions. Experts are still learning how these contaminants impact human health — but what we do know is that:

• They can build up in the body.
• They take a long time to break down or go away.
• They may be linked to issues including increased cholesterol levels, some types of cancer and impacted immune responses.
• Health risks differ depending on exposure, individual well-being and factors like access to quality health care.

Address PFAS Concerns in Your Home’s Water Supply

PFAS chemicals were designed to last a long time and stand up against tough conditions, which is why they’re so difficult to get rid of now. Boiling water won’t remove these potentially harmful contaminants, and can even make them worse. The good news is you have plenty of other options — including RO and whole-home filtration systems.

Ready to take charge of your water quality? Get started today by requesting your PFAS water test kit.

*Contaminants may not be present in your drinking water.