Common Misinterpretations About PFAS and What Government Data Shows
Many households in Florence facing concerns about PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” start with assumptions about contamination in their tap water. It’s important to distinguish between detection and a violation or safety risk. The City of Florence’s public water system, serving approximately 79,745 people, uses surface water sources, which have undergone federal monitoring as part of the UCMR5 program since 2024.
Government sampling found several PFAS compounds at trace levels—specifically PFOA and PFOS—measured in nanograms per liter (ng/L) or parts per trillion (ppt). Although some results recorded concentrations above the federal reporting thresholds and even the new federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set for 2024, these findings come from system-wide sampling and do not establish contamination levels at individual household taps.
Why Granular Carbon Beds and Ion-Exchange Resin Are Documented Differently for PFAS
Removing PFAS from water involves distinct technologies, primarily granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion-exchange resins. GAC adsorbs PFAS molecules onto its surface, effectively capturing many longer-chain compounds like PFOA and PFOS. Ion-exchange resins work by swapping ions on the resin material with PFAS in the water, targeting different fluorinated compounds with varying molecular structures. These technologies’ documentation and performance data reflect their unique operational characteristics and adsorption capacities, key for selecting treatment appropriate to the detected compounds.
How the UCMR5 Survey Differs from UCMR3 in Analyzing PFAS Compounds and Detection Levels
The federal Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) surveys water for contaminants without current regulatory limits. UCMR5, conducted from 2023 to 2025, expands compound lists and detection sensitivity compared to UCMR3. It includes newer PFAS forms and sets lower reporting levels, enabling identification of smaller concentrations, such as PFOA and PFOS at levels down to 0.004 micrograms per liter (µg/L) or 4 ng/L. This enhanced detail assists regulators and consumers in understanding the presence and range of PFAS in their water systems, including Florence’s public supply.
What Changes at the Tap When Using Proven Filtration Technology
When water passes through a system designed to reduce PFAS, such as the Pentair PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter, the levels of PFOA, PFOS, and related fluorinated compounds can be significantly lowered. This filter technology combines granular carbon and ion-exchange media optimized to adsorb and exchange these contaminants effectively. The treated water at your tap is expected to reflect these reductions, improving water quality concerning PFAS. While exact removal percentages depend on water conditions and filter maintenance, the technology ships ready to configure for household use and offers a direct method to address concerns indicated by system-wide data.
Ruling Out Other Causes: From Simple Checks to Laboratory Testing
Before concluding PFAS is the source of water quality issues, households should consider other factors. Initial steps include checking for unusual tastes or odors and verifying if local advisories exist. Because public records represent broad system sampling—not individual homes—testing a home’s water directly through a certified laboratory is necessary to confirm specific PFAS levels. This targeted testing gives clarity on the necessity and scale of treatment. It also rules out plumbing or other contaminants that might cause symptoms attributed incorrectly to PFAS.
The Influence of Plumbing Materials and Age Separate from Source Water Quality
Plumbing systems within a home can affect water quality independently of source water. Older pipes, fittings, or fixtures may introduce metals or degrade water clarity and taste. These factors are distinct from PFAS presence and require different approaches. Understanding your home’s plumbing condition—via inspection or water testing for metals and other constituents—helps isolate the cause of any water concerns, ensuring PFAS is not mistakenly identified as the source.
The Importance of Addressing Persistent PFAS Exposure Over Time
Leaving PFAS in water untreated over years does not automatically produce immediate health issues but can contribute to long-term exposure. Because these fluorinated compounds are persistent and accumulate in the environment, reducing their presence in drinking water is a precautionary step householders in Florence may consider. Treatment technologies like the Pentair system provide a controlled means to limit exposure to these “forever chemicals” based on the concentrations documented in public water monitoring.
Florescents report monitoring by EPA found PFOA and PFOS at levels slightly above the 2024 federal MCLs, with PFOA highest at 0.0055 µg/L (5.5 ng/L) and PFOS highest at 0.0067 µg/L (6.7 ng/L). These system-wide data inform the demand for a reliable, documented filter. The Pentair PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter addresses this demand directly and ships ready to configure for residential use.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-09-15. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for FLORENCE CITY OF (SC2110001) (SC2110001), SC: 280 results across 10 listed contaminants, 18 detections above the reporting level; 7 results above a 2024 federal MCL
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