Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter

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Step 1: What Your PFAS Test Report Would Show in This Area

When a household laboratory analyzes water for PFAS, the report will list specific fluorinated compounds by name along with their concentrations, measured in nanograms per liter (ng/L) or parts per trillion (ppt). For residents in Memphis served by Memphis Light, Gas, & Water, federal surveys under UCMR5 have measured multiple PFAS compounds such as PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, and others. These tests report whether levels were detected above very low reporting thresholds. Importantly, in this public water system's monitoring from April to October 2024, none of these compounds were found above the minimum reporting levels or the new federal maximum contaminant levels established in 2024, indicating concentrations were below those low detection limits.

Step 2: Which PFAS Compounds Have 2024 Federal Regulatory Levels

Not all fluorinated compounds are regulated with maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). For 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set federal MCLs on several PFAS substances relevant here. These include PFOA and PFOS, each at 4.0 ng/L (ppt), and PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA, set at 10 ng/L. Other measured compounds such as PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA, and PFHpA currently do not carry federal MCLs. This regulatory framework helps prioritize which compounds have enforceable limits versus those monitored for emerging data.

Step 3: Understanding Detection, Median, and Range in Your Water's PFAS Data

A detection means an analytical instrument measured PFAS at or above a defined reporting level in a sample. It is not a violation nor an indication of health risk. The median is the middle value found when all samples are ordered, showing typical concentrations if detected. The range covers the lowest to highest values found. For Memphis Light, Gas, & Water, all 20 samples of each PFAS compound in 2024 were below detection levels, so no median or range above detection can be established. These data describe the system as a whole and do not represent individual household results, which can only be known by specific testing of personal tap or well water.

Step 4: How PFAS Might Enter Groundwater and the Distribution System in Shelby County

PFAS, also called 'forever chemicals,' are resistant to breakdown and can accumulate in the environment. In Shelby County, groundwater sources supplying public water can be affected by regional contamination sources such as industrial sites, firefighting foam use, or wastewater release, which introduce fluorinated compounds over time. Once in groundwater, PFAS can travel with water through aquifers into municipal wells. From there, they enter the distribution system supplying homes. The current EPA monitoring shows very low or undetected levels in Memphis’s water system, reflecting controls and source conditions but not ruling out the need for local household testing if there are specific concerns.

Step 5: Differences Between UCMR5 and Previous PFAS Monitoring Efforts

The EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) surveys track emerging contaminants like PFAS before regulations are finalized. The recent UCMR5 survey, conducted 2023-2025, expanded the list of PFAS compounds tested and lowered detection thresholds compared to UCMR3 from 2013-2015. This means the current data are more comprehensive and sensitive, offering a clearer picture of fluorinated compound presence in public water systems. Shelby County’s system showed no detections above reporting levels in UCMR5, a positive change from earlier monitoring.

Step 6: Documented Distinctions Between Granular Carbon and Ion-Exchange Resin for PFAS Treatment

When addressing PFAS in household water, two primary filtration technologies are documented: granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion-exchange resins. GAC works by adsorbing PFAS molecules onto its porous surface, effectively reducing many longer-chain compounds. Ion-exchange resins capture PFAS through chemical exchange on the resin beads, often targeting a broader range of chain lengths including some shorter compounds. Their differing mechanisms mean each method can vary in effectiveness depending on water chemistry and PFAS species present. Understanding these differences helps households select a treatment approach suited to their water challenge.

Step 7: Consequences of Long-Term PFAS Exposure in Household Water, Factually Presented

PFAS are persistent in the environment and the human body. Over years, exposure through drinking water may contribute to accumulation. While health effects are the subject of ongoing research and depend on many exposure factors, the presence of PFAS in water can lead to taste or staining issues at higher concentrations. Given the absence of detections above reporting levels in Memphis’s system, long-term exposure from public water here is currently expected to be very low. However, households wishing to minimize any presence may consider water treatment options based on tested levels in their own tap water.

Closing: A Household Option to Address PFAS Inline with Local Water Demand

For Memphis-area homes seeking to reduce fluorinated compounds in water, the Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter offers a documented solution. This system ships ready to configure and uses proven technology to reduce a range of PFAS compounds effectively. Selecting a unit that matches your household’s water demand ensures optimal performance and peace of mind regarding these 'forever chemicals.' To determine your specific need, testing your tap or well water for PFAS is the essential first step.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-10-02. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for MEMPHIS LIGHT, GAS, & WATER (TN0000450), TN: 200 results across 10 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level