Combatting PFAS
Taking the Next Step Towards Pure, Refreshing Water in Napavine, WA and Lewis County.
Welcome to Water Doctor of Washington's page on PFAS contamination. Recently, there has been growing concern about the presence of these harmful chemicals in drinking water. The City of Napavine is just one of many local municipalities that have recently issued notifications to residents regarding PFAS in the water supply.
If you are concerned about the safety of your drinking water, Water Doctor of Washington can help. Our expert water treatment services can reduce PFAS and other contaminants, ensuring that your water is pure, refreshing, and safe for you and your family to drink.
If you would like to view a copy of the letter from the City of Napavine,
What is PFAS?
PFAS Explained
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a family of thousands of widely used, long-lasting chemicals that have become ubiquitous in our environment. Their slow breakdown means they are found in water, air, soil, and even in the blood of humans and animals worldwide. Unfortunately, scientific studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS may be linked to harmful health effects in both humans and animals. With their presence in so many consumer, commercial, and industrial products, it can be challenging to study and assess the potential risks of these chemicals to human health and the environment. Despite these challenges, at Water Doctor of Washington, we are committed to helping you combat PFAS contamination and achieve the peace of mind that comes with knowing your water is safe and clean.
To learn more from the City of Napavine and see the status of what they are doing to keep the community up to date click here.
How is PFAS reduced?
Certain technologies have been found to remove PFAS from drinking water. Those technologies include activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange resins, and high-pressure membranes.
List of Services
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Activated CarbonList Item 1
Activated carbon is an effective adsorbent because it is a highly porous material and provides a large surface area to which contaminants may adsorb. Activated carbon (GAC) is made from organic materials with high carbon contents such as wood, lignite, and coal; and is often used in granular form called granular activated carbon.
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Ion ExchangeList Item 2
Ion exchange resins are made up of highly porous, polymeric material that is acid, base, and water insoluble. The tiny beads that make up the resin are made from hydrocarbons. Ion exchange resins are like tiny powerful magnets that attract and hold the contaminated materials from passing through the water system. Negatively charged ions of PFAS are attracted to the positively charged anion resins.
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High Pressure MembranesList Item 3
High-pressure membranes, such as nanofiltration or reverse osmosis, have been extremely effective at removing PFAS. Reverse osmosis membranes are tighter than nanofiltration membranes. Research shows that these types of membranes are typically more than 90 percent effective at removing a wide range of PFAS, including shorter chain PFAS.
See our "Recommendation" section below to see how we recommend each of these methods to treat
your family's water.
PFAS Dashboard
Welcome to the PFAS Testing Results Dashboard, provided by the Washington State Department of Health. This user-friendly tool allows you to check PFAS test results for your area by county and water system. Stay informed about water quality effortlessly. Empowering you with knowledge for a healthier tomorrow. Or to view the same dashboard on the Washington State Department of Health's website click here.
Different Types of Water
In a typical home, there are three types of water - raw water, working water, and drinking water. At Water Doctor of Washington, we understand the importance of each of these stages and are here to help. Our expert water treatment services can address contamination at every stage of the water supply, ensuring that you and your family have access to pure, refreshing, and safe water in your home.
Raw Water
Raw water is the untreated water that comes into the home through the main water line. This water can contain a range of contaminants, including PFAS, which can pose health risks to those who consume it. It's important to treat raw water to remove these contaminants before it enters the working and drinking water supply.
Working Water
Working water is the water that is used for everyday tasks, such as washing clothes, dishes, and taking showers. While it does not need to be treated to the same extent as raw water, it should still be filtered to remove impurities that can affect the taste and quality of the water.
Drinking Water
Drinking water is the water that we consume directly. The removal of PFAS from drinking water is of utmost importance, as exposure to these chemicals has been linked to a range of health risks. At Water Doctor of Washington, we offer expert water treatment services that can reduce PFAS and other contaminants from raw and drinking water, ensuring that your family has access to clean, safe water for all their needs.
Recommended PFAS Treatment Package
Our recommended includes the installation of a whole-house water filtration system, which reduces impurities from the water that is used for everyday tasks such as washing clothes and dishes, as well as taking showers. And a K5 Drinking Water Station to reduce other impurities in the water you ingest.
Whole Home Water Treatment
Kinetico 4040s
- Conditioned Water 24 Hours a Day, Every Day
- Simple, Reliable, and Economical Operation
- Twin Tank Design
- Activated Carbon
- Water Softening
- Compact Space Saving Design
- Certified Performance
- Installation and Service by Trained Water Treatment Professionals
- Regeneration requires only:
- 13 gallons of water,
- 11 minutes 1 lb. of regenerant
For drinking water, we offer our K5 Drinking Water Station which is a reverse osmosis system that are specifically designed to reduce PFAS and other harmful chemicals from your drinking water.
Drinking Water System
Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station
- Protection against a wide variety of contaminants
- Maximum water efficiency
- Flexible and expandable to meet any drinking water need
- High-Pressure Reverse Osmosis Membrane
Customized filter options to fit your needs.
Custom Filters to Remove PFAS
Only the K5 Drinking Water Station gives you this level of protection, flexibility and customization while supplying you with unbelievably great-tasting, high quality water.
Sediment Prefilter (City Water)
The High Capacity Carbon/Sediment Prefilter cartridge is designed to reduce sediment and chlorine content during the prefiltration stage. It is most generally used for city water supplies or in cases where water is treated with chlorine.
Reverse Osmosis Membrane
The high-pressure reverse osmosis membrane is the heart of the K5 Drinking Water Station and its design is exclusive to Kinetico. The K5 significantly reduces more contaminants than any other drinking water treatment unit.
The K5 is certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for PFOS/PFOA removal.
Post Filter
A post filter is a final step in the water filtration process that removes any remaining impurities or contaminants. It is commonly used to provide high-quality, purified water for drinking, cooking, and other uses.
In addition to the 3 primary filters, your system also contains 2 auxiliary FlexFilters that allow us to customize it to target your specific requirements.
FlexFilters to target specific concerns
Targeting PFAS, and PFOS
In addition to the three filters above, we recommend that we install the VOC Guard to reduce all remaining volatile organic compounds like PFOA and PFOS.
VOC Guard
Our VOC Guard significantly reduces volatile organic compounds like pesticides, paints, cleaning supplies, and other chemicals that may be in your water.
Mineral Plus
The Mineral Plus is an additive cartridge that lets you add beneficial minerals such as magnesium and calcium to your treated drinking water.
Purfecta Guard
The Purefecta Guard cartridge generates biopure drinking water by significantly reducing 99.99999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses.
Life is better with Kinetico
Experience a well-hydrated life. Water that's freed of both natural and man-made issues. Water that tastes better, worked better in your plumbing and appliances, makes skin and clothes feel better and saves money and time too. Experience life hydrated by Kinetico.
Our Professional Promise
Because it's expandable, your K5 system can grow and change as your individual needs change. It also carries a
10 year limited warranty.
Check out the other special features in a K5 Drinking Water Station
- QuickFlo® technology gives you a strong flow of water at the tap and allows your system to produce more water in less time
- Our high daily production levels let the K5 station produce more than 40 gallons per day
- Quick-disconnect sanitary filter cartridges make it easy to change filters
- Our patented, exclusive EverClean® rinse delivers consistently high water quality while increasing the life of the system membrane and lowering your maintenance costs
- PureMometer® filter life indicator lets you know the filter's capacity
- The patented, tamper-proof MACguard® filter means you won't have to wonder about when to change cartridges, which assures you get high-quality water and peace of mind
- The automatic shutdown system conserves water and ensures the system doesn't continuously run water to the drain
- Our exclusive designer faucet offers a lead-free, stylish design that's available in a variety of finishes
Because the K5 station is non-electric and totally automatic, you won't see any electrical problems. Instead, our efficient operation conserves water and lowers your operating costs.
It comes with an outstanding warranty, too, so be sure to ask for details when you give us a call!
PFAS FAQs
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What are PFAS?
PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been widely used in industrial and consumer products, including non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, and stain-resistant fabrics.
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Why are PFAS a concern?
PFAS have been linked to several health problems, including cancer, developmental issues, and immune system dysfunction. They are also persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the human body over time.
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How do PFAS get into our water supply?
PFAS can enter the environment through various sources, including industrial discharges, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. They can then contaminate water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
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How can I test my home's water for PFAS?
You can have your home's water tested by a certified laboratory. Your local water treatment company can assist you with this process.
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Can water treatment systems remove PFAS from my water?
No, we all want PFAS removed from our water but at this time the technology doesn't exist to completely remove all PFAS, what we can do is dramatically reduce the amount of PFAS in your homes water. See above for our recommended solutions and contact us today to get a free water analysis.
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How can I prevent PFAS contamination in my water?
You can prevent PFAS contamination by avoiding products that contain PFAS, properly disposing of PFAS-containing materials, and supporting government efforts to regulate and monitor PFAS in the environment.
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Is it safe to drink bottled water instead of tap water?
Bottled water is not necessarily safer than tap water, and in fact, may contain PFAS or other contaminants. Investing in a high-quality water treatment system for your home is a more sustainable and reliable solution for ensuring safe and clean drinking water for you and your family.
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How often should I have my water tested for PFAS?
You should have your water tested for PFAS at least once a year or more frequently if there is a known PFAS contamination in your area or if you notice changes in your water's taste, color, or odor.
Our Water Doctor team of experts is here to help you arrange testing as we do not currently have the ability to test for PFAS in-house.
Forever Chemicals Blog
Water Treatment Service Map
Water Treatment Service Area
Water Doctor of Washington is a local family-owned business that started in 1997 and is headquartered in Chehalis, WA. We proudly serve Washington State with all your Water Treatment and Plumbing needs.
This map indicates our Water Treatment installation and service area. If you would like to schedule a consultation to discuss treating your city water please click here.
*10 Year Limited Warranty when install with a Kinetico Water Treatment System at the same location. Without a Kinetico water treatment system your K5 Drinking Water Station has a 5 year limited warranty.
360.748.6393
Hours
M-F 9:00a - 4:30p
Closed Sat & Sun
*We do not offer after hours emergency plumbing services at this time.
Local Office
2556 Jackson Hwy
Chehalis, WA 98532
