If you’ve been following the news, you know a growing problem with PFAS (per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances).
These man-made chemicals are found in everything from clothing to food packaging. While they are inexpensive and stable in products, some tend to break down into other substances, such as PFAS-methyl tetrahydrofuran. PFASs have been discovered in drinking water nationwide, including in parts of the country with very high water tables. As a result, it’s essential to learn how to remove PFAS from water. What should you do if you suspect that there’s a problem with your water? Check the source of the water, test it, and treat it if necessary.
Follow these steps on how to remove PFAS from drinking water.
Test Your Water
Although it’s essential to know how to remove contaminants in general, it’s even more important to know how to test your water for contamination. A water test kit can help you determine whether there are contaminants in your water and whether they are at a dangerous level. You can purchase water test kits at grocery stores, hardware stores, and online retailers. Generally, these kits come with the standard set of tests for a home water filtration system, but they also often include tests for specific contaminants. Use these tests to determine whether your water is safe to drink. If your water contains contaminants, you need to remove them from your water source. This can be done by digging a more bottomless well, installing a water filtration system, or getting a water purification system. If your water does not contain contaminants, you don’t need to do anything except continue drinking your water.
Check the Source
The easiest way to find the source of your contaminated water is by checking the water meter. The meter tracks how much water you use, and if your water comes from a well or water treatment facility, it will show you when the water was most recently used. From there, you can go down to the water source and see if it is coming up contaminated. Most well owners aren’t aware of their water source, and it’s essential to check the water meter to find the source. If you find your water source is contaminated, you may be able to improve your situation by decreasing the distance between the source and your house so that less water passes through the source. Alternatively, you may want to find a new, cleaner source.
Give Your Well a Cleanup
If your well is contaminated, you first need to ensure it is not the source of your water contamination. If you’re well is contaminated, you may want to consider digging a more bottomless well, installing a water filtration system, or getting a water purification system. You can also try cleaning your water source. A surprising amount of contamination comes from the source. For example, farmers often put fertilizer near their wells, which is a much cleaner option than spraying it on your lawn. Unfortunately, the fertilizer may end up near the well and in your water. There are many water treatment products that you can use to clean your sources, such as RO filters and water filters.
Get a Water Filter
If your source is not contaminated, you can install a water filter to remove specific contaminants from your water. Many types of filters are available, so you can find one that best suits your needs. Water filters are generally divided into four categories:
- Carbon filters can remove sediment and odors, and they are generally used to provide good-tasting water.
- Sediment filters can remove large amounts of sediment and other impurities from the water, and they are generally used to provide good water quality for drinking.
- Micron filters are used to reduce contaminants' size and are generally used to provide good water quality for drinking.
- Ultraviolet filters can kill bacteria and viruses in the water, and they are generally used to provide good water quality for drinking.
Get a Reverse Osmosis System
If your source is contaminated, but your water is not, you can get a reverse osmosis (RO) system to purify your water. A RO system filters water from a source, removing many contaminants and providing clean, safe drinking water. There are many types of RO systems, and you can choose the one that best suits your needs. Some of the most common types of RO systems include Under and above-ground RO systems: These systems can be installed under your house or well and use gravity to draw groundwater into the system.
- Point-of-use systems: These systems can be installed under your sink and use a faucet to pull water from your source into the system.
- Backwash systems: These systems can be installed in a house or commercial facility and use water to wash dishes or clean carpets to power the system.
Summary
If your water is contaminated, you can test for contaminants and remove them through the use of a water filter, water treatment system, water distiller, or water purification system. Generally, these systems use a combination of filtration, treatment, and disinfection to ensure your water is as clean as possible. You can also install a water meter to find your water source and dig a deeper well if necessary. If you discover contaminants in your well, install a water filter or distiller or call the professionals at DeLoach Industries at 941.371.4995 to assist you in obtaining the purest and highest quality drinking water at home.
