PFAS in tap water a big offload.
PFAS, also known as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals that are widely present in our environment. As they are commonly used in industrial processes and products, they can end up in our drinking water and food. The presence of PFAS in tap water in North Holland has recently caused concern. This has also led to warnings from PWN, the region’s water supplier.
What are PFAS in tap water, and why are they harmful to your health? Tap water containing PFAS contains synthetic chemical compounds that accumulate in the human body and do not break down naturally. These substances disrupt the endocrine system, put a strain on the liver and weaken the immune system — even with long-term exposure to low concentrations.
That is what makes this type of contamination different from many others. A one-off spike is less of a problem; the issue is the silent build-up over months and years. Anyone who continues to drink tap water without knowing whether it has been tested and is safe runs a risk that only becomes apparent in hindsight. Filtration using activated carbon or reverse osmosis can significantly reduce the concentration.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for drinking water company PWN to supply North Holland with healthy tap water. The cause? Small industry discharges their wastewater through the sewer and that water flows into the surface water of the IJsselmeer. And PWN draws three quarters of its water from the IJsselmeer lake. Everyone in North Holland thinks the tap water comes from the dunes. There, the water is pumped in and filtered with dune sand for plus minus 3 months.
PWN warns of future cost increase as soon as PFAS in tap water
Who is responsible for monitoring the PFAS Toxic discharges? There is a significant discrepancy between the reporting requirements and the licensing requirements. Rijkswaterstaat launched a pilot project in 2022, ultimately aimed at stepping up monitoring. However, the environmental agency is beating about the bush.
PWN currently has the capacity and resources to filter some of the toxins from the water. The concentrations may rise further and then PWN will have to opt for less sustainable and costly methods.
Source : Toxic discharges into IJsselmeer endanger our drinking water
Take matters into your own hands against PFAS in tap water and buy a water ioniser with an ultrafine tap water filter. This not only reduces your intake of PFAS, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics and pesticides, but also helps to flush free radicals out of your body more quickly thanks to the higher oxygen content in the water.
What are PFAS and why are they a problem in drinking water?
PFAS, or poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemical compounds characterised by their unique water- and grease-repellent properties. These properties have led to PFAS being widely used in industrial processes and products, such as fire-fighting foams, non-stick coatings and water-repellent textiles. The impact of PFAS on drinking water lies in the fact that once released into the environment, these substances are difficult to degrade and can therefore circulate in drinking water sources for a long time.
A list of PFAS substances sets out the various types of chemicals that fall under the PFAS category, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The explanation of the abbreviation PFAS shows that it refers to a very broad category of chemicals. These substances all have a similar chemical structure and therefore exhibit similar properties and risks.
How do PFAS get into drinking water?
PFAS can enter drinking water in various ways, including discharges from industrial sites and leaks of fire-fighting foam at airports. In addition, the use of PFAS-containing products in households also plays a role. Due to the mobile nature of PFAS, they can migrate through the soil and groundwater. They eventually end up in drinking water sources such as rivers, lakes and groundwater.
What are the health risks of PFAS?
Exposure to high concentrations of PFAS via drinking water has been linked to a number of health risks, including elevated cholesterol levels, damage to the immune system and even cancer. Although the epidemiological evidence is still limited, studies suggest that long-term exposure to low concentrations of PFAS may also have adverse health effects. This is particularly true for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children.
How does PFAS affect the quality of tap water?
The presence of PFAS in drinking water has a direct impact on the quality of tap water, as these chemicals can contaminate potential sources of drinking water. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has drawn up guidelines on the presence of PFAS in drinking water. These guidelines serve as a framework for water companies and government bodies to monitor and regulate PFAS concentrations in drinking water.
How can exposure to PFAS in drinking water be reduced?
To reduce the amount of PFAS in drinking water, there are several measures that can be taken, including identifying and managing potential sources of PFAS contamination, improving treatment processes and implementing stricter regulation and enforcement regarding the use of PFAS-containing substances.
What are the consequences of long-term ingestion of PFAS?
Long-term exposure to PFAS via drinking water can have significant health consequences, as these chemicals can accumulate in the body. In the long term, they can cause harmful effects. It is therefore essential to minimise exposure to PFAS in tap water to a minimum to protect the health of the population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much PFAS is actually in our drinking water, and what does Greenpeace have to say about it?
Greenpeace has repeatedly raised the alarm about the presence of PFAS in drinking water across Europe. In the Netherlands, the RIVM states that the standard for the total concentration of PFAS substances is 4.4 nanograms per litre. However, higher levels are being measured in certain regions, particularly where groundwater has been contaminated by industrial discharges. The exact amount of PFAS in your tap water depends on where you live and which water supplier provides your water. You can request the latest measurement figures from your water supplier or check them on the RIVM website.
How do PFAS and drinking water come into contact with each other via the soil?
PFAS substances are water-soluble and do not bind well to soil particles. As a result, they seep relatively quickly through the soil into the groundwater. We know from experience that groundwater located close to industrial estates, airports or fire stations is at greater risk of contamination. Drinking water companies draw on this groundwater as a source. Standard purification methods such as sand filtration and chlorination only remove PFAS to a limited extent. This is what makes this type of substance so difficult to tackle. An advanced home filtration system, such as an ioniser with an activated carbon filter, can further reduce some of the contamination.
How does a water ioniser deal with PFAS in drinking water, and is that sufficient?
A water ioniser always filters tap water through a built-in filter first, before the water is ionised. Many of these filters contain activated carbon, which can adsorb some of the PFAS substances. Studies show that activated carbon filtration is more effective against PFAS than standard sand filters. However, no domestic filter is 100 per cent effective. An ioniser therefore provides an extra stage of purification, but is not a substitute for a professional water treatment system. For those seeking extra reassurance, an ioniser combined with a certified multi-stage filter is a sensible addition to tap water.
Tap water is full of reports about PFAS — how can you tell if your water is safe?
Start by checking your water supplier’s water quality report. This is required to be made public and sets out measured levels for substances including PFAS. If PFAS levels exceed European standards, your water supplier is obliged to inform you. In practice, we see that most Dutch companies remain within the standards, but the margins are becoming narrower as groundwater contamination increases. If you want extra reassurance, a water ioniser with a good filter is a practical solution. When purchasing one, pay attention to the filter specifications: the filter must have been clearly tested for PFAS removal.
What should you do about this PWN warning?
If you read more about drinking water and the substances it contains, you’ll gain a better understanding of the choices you can make for your household. The quality of tap water varies by region and by season — knowing what to look out for is the first real starting point.
→ Find out more about tap water quality
→ Find out what’s happening with tap water: filtering out pesticides is becoming a catastrophe
→ Find out more about the background to the water filter lead scandal in Amsterdam North’s tap water
→ Discover PWN Water’s 7 new applications
PFAS in tap water This is a serious issue that is receiving increasing attention, particularly following the warning issued by PWN in North Holland. It is wise to find out as much as you can about the quality of your drinking water and, if necessary, take additional measures, such as using a certified water filter that removes PFAS. Keep an eye on updates from your water supplier and take prompt action if elevated levels are reported — this way, you can protect yourself and your family from the risks of pfas in tap water.
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