What Is PFAS? A Plain-English Guide to Forever Chemicals in Water

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a large family of man-made chemicals. You've probably heard them called "forever chemicals." These substances have become a major topic of conversation for homeowners across Florida, from Orlando down to the Treasure Coast, as more information comes to light about their presence in our environment.

The reason they are called forever chemicals is simple: they do not break down easily. In nature, most things eventually decay or change form. However, the chemical bond that holds PFAS together is one of the strongest known in science. This means once they are created and released into the world, they tend to stay there. Because they are so persistent, they can accumulate in the soil, the air, and most importantly, our water sources.

Understanding what these chemicals are is the first step toward taking control of your home's water quality. While the science can seem complicated, the solutions for your household are often very straightforward. At Galene, we focus on helping families understand these issues without the jargon, providing clear paths toward cleaner, better-tasting water.

Where do PFAS come from?

Since the 1940s, PFAS have been used in non-stick cookware, stain- and water-resistant fabrics, food packaging and some firefighting foams. They're useful because they resist heat, oil and water, and that same toughness is why they last so long in the environment. Manufacturers found that these chemicals were incredibly effective at making life more convenient.

Think about the items in your home. That non-stick pan that allows eggs to slide right off, the jacket that keeps you dry in a Florida rainstorm, or the carpet that resists coffee stains—many of these products historically relied on PFAS technology. Because these chemicals were used so widely for so many decades, they have become integrated into the waste stream.

Industrial sites that produced these goods often released byproducts into the surrounding areas. Even everyday household items eventually end up in landfills, where the chemicals can slowly leach out over time. This widespread use is why these substances are now being detected in places far away from where they were originally manufactured.

How do they get into drinking water?

PFAS can move from factories, airports, military sites and landfills into soil and groundwater, then into wells and public water supplies. Standard municipal treatment was not designed to target them. Most city water plants were built to handle bacteria, viruses, and basic mineral balance, not complex man-made chemical compounds.

When rain falls, it washes over the ground and picks up whatever is on the surface. In areas near industrial zones or locations where specific firefighting foams were used, these chemicals can seep deep into the earth. Once they reach the aquifer, they can travel through the groundwater system. Florida’s unique geography and porous soil make our groundwater particularly susceptible to this kind of migration.

For those on municipal water, the city does its best to provide safe water, but the sheer volume of water they process makes it difficult to address every specific chemical at a microscopic level. For those on private wells, there is no middleman or treatment plant at all, meaning whatever is in the ground is what comes out of your tap unless you have a home filtration system in place.

How can I find out if my water has PFAS?

Identifying these chemicals isn't something you can do with your senses. You cannot see, smell, or taste PFAS in your water. This makes it different from other common water issues like sulfur (which smells like eggs) or iron (which leaves orange stains).

• On city water, check your utility's annual water quality report. These reports, often called Consumer Confidence Reports, are released every year and list the substances the city has tested for.
• On a private well, a certified lab test is the most reliable option. Since you are your own water manager, you are responsible for testing and maintaining your own supply.
• A water specialist can review your results with you and explain options. Professional guidance helps cut through the confusion of lab reports and technical data.

Galene offers a free in-home water assessment for residents in our service areas. While this assessment focuses on common aesthetic and functional issues, our specialists are certified and have over 20 years of engineering experience to help you interpret local water trends and data.

The Importance of Whole-Home Protection

Many people only think about the water they drink, but we use water for much more than that. We cook with it, we bathe in it, and we wash our clothes in it. When chemicals are present in the water supply, they are present at every point of use in the house.

A whole-home system ensures that the water entering your house is treated before it reaches your kitchen sink, your showerhead, or your laundry room. This provides a comprehensive barrier. Galene systems are designed with 50% more filtration media than many standard systems, which is important for long-term effectiveness when dealing with persistent substances like PFAS.

By treating the water at the entry point, you aren't just protecting your glass of water; you are protecting the environment of your entire home. Our factory-direct pricing makes this level of comprehensive protection more accessible for Florida homeowners who want to take a proactive stance on their water quality.

What can I do at home?

Home filtration designed for PFAS is the most practical step. Galene systems use professional-grade media that targets PFAS, along with fluoride, chlorine and other common concerns, for the water at every tap in your home. Because these chemicals are so resilient, they require specific types of filtration technology to be effectively reduced.

Activated carbon and specialized resins are two of the most common methods used to address these chemicals. The media acts like a sponge, attracting the chemical molecules and holding onto them so they don't pass through into your home's plumbing. Having a larger volume of this media is a distinct advantage, as it allows for more contact time between the water and the filtration material.

Additionally, many homeowners choose to add a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system at the kitchen sink. RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane to provide a final, intensive stage of filtration for drinking and cooking water. Currently, Galene offers a free RO system with a whole-home installation, though certain terms apply. This combination offers both the broad protection of a whole-house system and the precision of a dedicated drinking water tap.

Why Florida Residents Are Taking Action

In regions like The Villages, Ocala, and Orlando, as well as coastal areas like Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, water quality is a frequent topic of local concern. Our state relies heavily on groundwater, and as our population grows, the pressure on our water sources increases. Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to take their water quality into their own hands rather than relying solely on aging infrastructure.

Taking action at home provides peace of mind. When you know that your water is passing through high-grade filtration media before you use it, you don't have to worry as much about what might be showing up in the news. It is about creating a consistent, reliable environment for your family.

Galene’s team of certified water specialists understands the specific challenges faced by Florida residents. With over two decades of engineering experience, we don't just sell equipment; we provide solutions tailored to the specific chemistry of Florida water. We also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure that every homeowner is completely satisfied with the change in their water quality.

Do refrigerator filters remove PFAS?

Most standard refrigerator filters are designed primarily to improve the taste and smell of water by removing chlorine. While some high-end filters may have certifications for specific chemicals, many basic carbon blocks found in refrigerators are not robust enough to reliably handle forever chemicals over a long period. They also have a very small amount of filtration media compared to professional home systems.

Can I boil PFAS out of my water?

No. In fact, boiling water that contains PFAS can actually increase the concentration of the chemicals. Since these substances are resistant to heat and do not evaporate, boiling causes some of the water to turn into steam while the chemicals remain behind in the pot. This leaves you with the same amount of PFAS in a smaller volume of water. Filtration is the only effective way to address their presence in your home supply.

Is salt-free conditioning the same as filtration?

It is important to understand the difference between conditioning and filtration. Salt-free conditioning systems are designed to address the effects of hard water minerals on your pipes and appliances, but they do not remove the minerals themselves and they do not soften the water in the traditional sense. A filtration system, on the other hand, is specifically designed to target and reduce contaminants like PFAS, chlorine, and heavy metals. For the best results, many homeowners use a combination of technologies to address both mineral scale and chemical contaminants.