PFAS in Water
Testing and Filtration Solutions for Safe Drinking Water
Call 0800 278 296 & Talk to A Water Expert
Do you have PFAS in your drinking water?
If you use bore/ well or surface water in Warkworth, Rodney or Auckland, PFAS may be a risk, especially near landfills, industrial sites, firefighting areas, or wastewater-affected zones.
PFAS can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, so testing is the only way to know. If PFAS is found, Aqua Works can help with the right filtration solution.
What is PFAS in drinking water?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals used in products such as firefighting foams, non-stick coatings, and water-resistant materials. They are often called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly and can remain in water and the environment for a long time. In drinking water, PFAS matters because long-term exposure may affect health.
Getting your water tested is the first step. If PFAS is found, Aqua Works offers various treatment options can include reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration.
Understanding the risk of PFAS in drinking water
How does PFAS get into water?
PFAS can enter water through historical or current contamination from firefighting foams, industrial activity, landfill leachate, wastewater discharges, biosolids and contaminated land.
These substances can move into groundwater, surface water and, in some cases, private wells or bores.
Is PFAS a risk in New Zealand?
PFAS has been detected in groundwater and near areas such as airports, industrial sites, firefighting training areas.
While levels in many areas are currently low, monitoring is ongoing and exposure over time remains a concern.
Private water supplies (bore, tank, rural water) may not be regularly monitored.
Could your water be affected?
- Do you use bore or groundwater?
- Is your property is near industrial or landfill areas?
- Do you rely on untreated water sources?
- Has your water has never been tested for PFAS?
PFAS contamination cannot be detected without specialised testing.
Concerned about PFAS in your water? Start with testing.
PFAS is different from contaminants like E. coli or Giardia. You can’t boil it away, and you can’t identify it by taste, smell, or appearance. The safest next step is to test your water and understand whether treatment is needed.
What DOESN’T work
PFAS are extremely persistent and cannot be removed by standard water treatment methods.
Common approaches that don’t work include:
- Basic sediment filters
- UV systems alone
- Assuming mains water is always free of PFAS
- Not testing water at all
PFAS require specific filtration technologies designed for chemical removal.
Why water testing is essential
PFAS cannot be seen or detected without laboratory analysis.
Testing helps to:
- confirm whether PFAS are present
- determine the right treatment approach
- avoid unnecessary or incorrect systems
Without testing, you are making decisions without knowing your exposure.
Health risks associated with PFAS exposure
Effects on the immune system, including reduced ability to fight infections
Hormone disruption, particularly affecting thyroid function
Increased cholesterol levels
Potential impacts on liver function
Changes in kidney function
Pregnancy-related effects such as high blood pressure or lower birth weight
Increased risk of certain cancers (based on some long-term studies)
Because PFAS build up in the body over time, reducing long-term exposure through your drinking water is an important step in protecting your health.
How Aqua Works helps reduce PFAS in drinking water
Step 1 — Assess your water source
We look at your water source, property setup, and likely contamination pathways.
Step 2 — Recommend the right filtration system
PFAS treatment options can include:
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Reverse osmosis is one of the most effective options for reducing PFAS in drinking water and is often suited to under-bench drinking water systems. The live page already positions RO as a strong PFAS treatment option.
Granular Activated Carbon
Granular activated carbon can also help reduce PFAS and may suit some homes depending on water quality, flow requirements, and system design. The current page already includes GAC and this should stay.
Step 3 — Install the right solution
A treatment system needs to be correctly sized, installed, and maintained by our MASTER plumbers and water filtration experts to perform well over time.
Step 4 — Service and support
Aqua Works provides ongoing servicing and filter replacement support for local homes and private water users.
Safer drinking water starts with the right advice
If you’re worried about PFAS, don’t guess. Start with a proper assessment and choose a filtration system designed for your water source and household needs.
FAQ about PFAS in Water
What is PFAS in drinking water?
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals sometimes called “forever chemicals” because they break down very slowly and can stay in water and the environment for a long time. They matter in drinking water because long-term exposure is a health concern.
Can you see or smell PFAS in water?
No. PFAS usually cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, so you cannot tell if it is in your water without proper testing. That is why PFAS is different from contaminants people may notice through taste, colour, or odour changes.
Is PFAS a problem in New Zealand?
PFAS has been found in some New Zealand groundwater wells, but a national survey reported detections at very low levels and below New Zealand safety limits in the wells sampled. That does not mean every property is affected, but it does mean PFAS is a real contaminant category worth taking seriously where there is a plausible risk pathway.
Should I test my bore or private water supply for PFAS?
Testing is worth considering if you use bore water, well water, or another private supply, especially if your property is near a landfill, industrial site, firefighting area, or wastewater-affected zone. For many private homeowners, testing is the clearest way to understand risk because private supplies may not have the same routine monitoring as larger regulated supplies.
Should I test tank water for PFAS?
Tank water can be at risk, but the level of risk depends on where the water comes from and what activities or contamination sources are nearby. PFAS is often more strongly associated with contamination pathways such as groundwater impacts, runoff, firefighting foam use, landfill leachate, or industrial sources rather than with all rainwater tanks generally.
What should I do if PFAS is found in my water?
If PFAS is found in your water, the next step is to review the result, assess the water source, and choose the right treatment system for your property. In practice, that usually means confirming the level of concern, deciding whether you need drinking-water-only treatment or a wider solution, and then installing and maintaining the appropriate filtration system.
What is the best filter for removing PFAS from drinking water?
The best-known treatment options for reducing PFAS in drinking water include reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, anion exchange, and nanofiltration. The right choice depends on your water source, the PFAS compounds present, flow requirements, and whether you want treatment for a single drinking tap or a broader system.