How to Reduce PFAS Exposure with Proven Water Treatment Solutions
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," have become one of the most significant water quality challenges facing municipalities, manufacturers, commercial facilities, and homeowners. Because these synthetic chemicals resist heat, grease, oil, and water, they have been used in thousands of industrial and consumer products for more than 70 years. Unfortunately, that same durability prevents them from breaking down naturally, allowing them to persist in soil, groundwater, rivers, lakes, and drinking water supplies.
Today, PFAS contamination affects communities throughout the United States, prompting stricter regulations and increased demand for advanced water treatment technologies. Organizations responsible for public water systems, industrial process water, food manufacturing, and wastewater treatment must now evaluate how PFAS impacts their operations and develop effective strategies for reducing these contaminants.
At DeLoach Industries, we understand that every water source presents unique challenges. Since 1959, we have engineered customized water purification systems that help municipalities, industrial facilities, food processors, distilleries, and commercial organizations improve water quality through proven treatment technologies designed for long-term performance.
What Are PFAS?
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a family of several thousand synthetic chemicals developed during the 1940s for their exceptional resistance to heat, chemicals, grease, oil, and moisture.
These characteristics made PFAS valuable across numerous industries, including:
- Aerospace
- Electronics manufacturing
- Chemical processing
- Firefighting foam production
- Textile manufacturing
- Food packaging
- Metal finishing
- Automotive manufacturing
PFAS have also been incorporated into many everyday consumer products, including:
- Non-stick cookware
- Water-resistant clothing
- Stain-resistant carpets
- Upholstery treatments
- Grease-resistant food packaging
- Some cosmetics and personal care products
Although many manufacturers have phased out older PFAS compounds such as PFOA and PFOS, newer replacement compounds continue to be used in certain applications. Scientists continue to study these newer compounds because many exhibit the same persistence and mobility in the environment as earlier PFAS chemicals.
Why Are PFAS Called "Forever Chemicals"?
Unlike many contaminants that naturally degrade over time, PFAS possess extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds—the strongest chemical bonds found in organic chemistry.
As a result, PFAS:
- Do not readily break down in the environment
- Can travel long distances through groundwater
- Accumulate in rivers, lakes, and aquifers
- Persist in drinking water supplies
- Can accumulate in humans and wildlife over time
Once PFAS enter a water supply, they often require specialized treatment technologies to remove them effectively. Conventional drinking water treatment processes are generally not designed to eliminate these contaminants.
Why PFAS Exposure Matters
Research conducted by federal agencies and academic institutions has linked long-term exposure to certain PFAS compounds with a variety of potential health concerns. While scientists continue to evaluate thousands of PFAS chemicals individually, evidence suggests prolonged exposure to some compounds may increase the risk of:
Potential Health Effects
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Liver function changes
- Thyroid disorders
- Reduced immune system response
- Developmental effects in infants and children
- Pregnancy-related complications
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
The level of risk depends on numerous factors, including:
- Concentration of PFAS
- Duration of exposure
- Individual health
- Age
- Source of contamination
For this reason, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to expand monitoring requirements and establish drinking water standards for several PFAS compounds.
How Do PFAS Enter Drinking Water?
PFAS contamination rarely originates from one source. Instead, contamination often develops over decades through industrial use, disposal practices, and environmental migration.
Common sources include:
- Industrial manufacturing facilities
- Fire training areas using AFFF firefighting foam
- Chemical plants
- Landfills
- Wastewater treatment discharges
- Biosolids applied to agricultural land
- Stormwater runoff
- Manufacturing wastewater
Once released into the environment, PFAS can migrate into groundwater aquifers that supply municipal drinking water systems and private wells.
For industrial facilities, PFAS contamination may also affect:
- Process water
- Boiler feed water
- Cooling tower makeup water
- Product water
- Wastewater discharge compliance
Protect Your Water with Proven PFAS Treatment Solutions
PFAS contamination is no longer an emerging issue—it's a long-term challenge requiring informed decisions, reliable engineering, and proven treatment technologies. As regulatory requirements continue to evolve and public awareness increases, municipalities, manufacturers, commercial facilities, and water-intensive industries must proactively evaluate their water quality and treatment strategies.
Reducing PFAS exposure begins with understanding your water.
Comprehensive testing identifies the contaminants present, while professional engineering ensures the selected treatment technology delivers reliable performance, regulatory compliance, and long-term value.
Whether your facility requires treatment for drinking water, process water, wastewater, or specialized industrial applications, choosing the right partner is just as important as selecting the right equipment.
At DeLoach Industries, we combine decades of engineering expertise with proven treatment technologies to design customized water purification systems that help customers improve water quality, protect public health, and prepare for future regulatory requirements.
From municipal drinking water systems to food processing plants, manufacturing facilities, distilleries, healthcare organizations, and commercial operations, our experienced team develops tailored solutions engineered to perform for years to come.
Why Choose DeLoach Industries?
For more than 65 years, DeLoach Industries has been recognized for delivering engineered water treatment solutions—not simply selling equipment.
Our capabilities include:
- Custom-engineered PFAS treatment systems
- Reverse osmosis system design
- Granular activated carbon filtration
- Ion exchange treatment
- Industrial process water systems
- Municipal drinking water treatment
- Wastewater treatment solutions
- Water testing and engineering support
- System modernization and upgrades
- Ongoing technical service and support
Every project begins with understanding the customer's unique operational goals and water quality challenges before recommending the most effective treatment strategy.
Request a Water Quality Evaluation
If you're concerned about PFAS contamination or need assistance selecting the right treatment technology, the engineering professionals at DeLoach Industries, Inc. are ready to help.
Our team can evaluate your water quality, discuss regulatory considerations, and recommend customized treatment solutions tailored to your application.
Contact DeLoach Industries today to schedule a water-quality consultation and learn how engineered PFAS treatment solutions can help protect your water, operations, and future.
