PFAS in Drinking Water: Why It’s Not Just a Well-Water Problem

PFAS is one of those topics where a five-minute Google search can turn into a midnight stress spiral.

PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals used to make products resist heat, stains, grease, and water. They’re often called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily.

Here’s the tricky part: there are thousands of them. Health research has linked certain PFAS (especially PFOS and PFOA) to serious health effects, but the science isn’t equally complete for every PFAS out there.

Translation: it’s real, it matters, and it’s also easy for the internet to make it feel more certain (and scarier) than it actually is.

PFAS (“forever chemicals”) can show up in both well water and municipal water.

What are PFAS, in plain English?

PFAS are a large family of chemicals that have been used for decades in everyday products because they’re great at repelling things.

You’ll often hear them connected to:

• Water- and stain-resistant fabrics

• Nonstick surfaces

• Grease-resistant food packaging

• Certain industrial processes

Because PFAS don’t break down easily, they can persist in the environment and (depending on the specific PFAS) can build up over time.

Why PFAS has everyone’s attention (parts per trillion)

Here’s one way to put PFAS in perspective: a lot of familiar water standards are discussed in parts per million (like nitrate) or parts per billion (like lead). With PFAS, the conversation has shifted to parts per trillion.

That doesn’t mean you should panic, but it does explain why PFAS has everyone’s attention. We’re talking about chemicals that can matter at extremely small concentrations.

Potential health concerns linked to PFAS

Research is still evolving, and it’s not equally complete for every PFAS compound. But the most commonly discussed health concerns linked to certain PFAS include:

• Increased cholesterol levels

• Pregnancy-related risks

• Developmental effects

• Decreases in immune response

• Changes in liver function

• Increased risk of certain cancers

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Okay… so what do I do with that?” you’re not alone. The goal is not to spiral. The goal is to get good information and make a practical plan.

Why this isn’t just a well-water issue

Around the foothills, I hear this a lot:

• “We’re on city water, so we’re fine.”

• “We’re on a well, so the water’s natural.”

But PFAS aren’t picky about where they show up. If PFAS is in the source water upstream of you—whether that source is a reservoir, a river, or groundwater—it can end up at your tap.

PFAS can get into water through broad regional pathways, and sometimes through very local ones.

Firefighting foam and regional pathways

Historically, certain firefighting foams have contained PFAS. In a state where wildfire response has been a reality for decades, it’s one more pathway worth acknowledging without assuming it affects every neighborhood.

Septic systems and the foothills reality

And then there’s the foothills reality: a lot of us are on septic.

PFAS from everyday household products can pass through a septic system and end up as a soil-and-groundwater issue over time.

Wait — is it dangerous to shower in PFAS water?

Here’s the plain-English answer: most public health guidance focuses on PFAS risk from drinking and cooking water. Showering and bathing are generally considered a much lower exposure route for PFAS than swallowing it.

Good news: your shower is not secretly “marinating” you in PFAS like a slow cooker.

I share this because PFAS advice can get confusing fast. A neighbor received alarming PFAS results from a state test and started calling around.

The first guidance they heard was: “Your shower is the real danger—you need whole-home treatment right now.”

Some studies look at PFAS and skin exposure, but these generally involve leave-on products like lotions, not shower water that’s quickly rinsed away.

For most homes, the smartest first step is protecting the water you ingest every day: the kitchen tap for drinking, cooking, coffee, and ice.

That said, if you’re the kind of person who wants whole-home coverage for convenience or peace of mind, that’s absolutely an option I offer too. My job is just to help you choose it for the right reasons, based on your water, your goals, and good information.

Both approaches can be valid. The key is matching the solution to your home, your results, and your budget.

“Should I just switch to bottled water?”

Sometimes people tell me they’re ready to skip the whole conversation and go straight to bottled water.

I get it. But it’s worth knowing that PFAS has been found in bottled water too, so the label alone isn’t a guarantee.

And don’t get me started on microplastics—that’s a whole other rabbit hole.

If you want confidence, don’t guess and don’t spiral. Get reliable information, interpret it in plain English, and pick a solution that fits your goals.

What I recommend (a simple first step)

If PFAS is on your mind, my best recommendation is to start with a Healthy Home Evaluation for $59.

In about 90 minutes, we’ll review your current setup, answer questions, and run a few onsite tests to get a clearer picture of your water. Those tests aren’t for PFAS specifically, but they help us spot related issues and decide whether PFAS lab testing (and a PFAS-reduction drinking-water setup or whole-home approach) is worth pursuing.

Either way, the goal isn’t to get stuck in a PFAS-only conversation. It’s to make the best decision for your home and your family—based on your water source, your goals, and your budget.

And if lab testing makes sense, I’ll lead you through that process and explain the results in plain English, so your next step is clear and practical.

Special Offer

$100 off any purification solution designed to reduce PFAS (“forever chemicals”) through the end of August 2026.

Final thoughts

PFAS is a real topic, and it deserves real information—not doom scrolling.

If you’re concerned, the best thing you can do is take one practical step: get clarity on your water, understand your options, and choose a solution that fits your home.

Questions about your water? Visit our Water Quality Self-Check or call (303) 948-1706 for friendly, expert advice/solutions.