PFAS Water Filter in Highland Beach

What PFAS are

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances have been used in non-stick coatings, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging and firefighting foams. They break down very slowly, which is why they are often called forever chemicals. The EPA has set drinking water standards for several PFAS, with utilities given time to comply.

There are thousands of PFAS compounds; testing and certification focus on a handful, mainly PFOA and PFOS.

Getting Highland Beach data

The Town of Highland Beach publishes the contaminants it detected in its annual report. The 2025 report table covers lead, copper, fluoride, sodium, arsenic, barium, chlorine and disinfection byproducts; it does not list PFAS. That does not tell you whether PFAS were tested or found. Ask the town directly at (561) 637-2036, and check the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule data for the town's system.

When you call, ask three things: whether the system has sampled for PFAS under federal or state monitoring, the sample dates, and the results compared with the EPA standards. Write down who you spoke with.

Choosing a PFAS filter

• Look for certification under NSF/ANSI 53 (carbon filters) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) with a specific claim for PFOA and PFOS reduction.
• Check the exact model number on the certifier's listing.
• Follow the replacement schedule; an overdue filter may not perform as certified.

Living Water does not make PFAS claims for its systems. Jorge can explain what certifications to look for.

A whole-home carbon system sized for chlorine is not the same as a drinking water filter certified for PFAS. If PFAS reduction is your goal, it is usually a point-of-use decision at the kitchen tap.

Testing for PFAS at home

PFAS require a certified laboratory using EPA methods. An in-home screening cannot measure them. See home screening vs. lab analysis.

Reading results

Results are reported in parts per trillion (nanograms per liter). Compare them with the EPA standard for each compound, note the sample date, and ask whether the result is from the plant or your tap.

Talk it through

Jorge can walk through your options for drinking water and what a certified system needs to show. Call, text or WhatsApp (305) 793-5974.

Updated 2026-10-17 · Living Waters · Jorge Canela, Water Quality Specialist