Serving all of San Diego County
PFAS Water Filtration in San Diego
PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals detected in San Diego’s water supply, particularly near military installations. They do not break down in the environment or in the body. Reverse osmosis removes up to 99%. Here is what San Diego homeowners need to know.
★★★★★ Free PFAS screening included in every water test
Why San Diego Specifically
Military installations
PFAS have been detected near Camp Pendleton, MCAS Miramar, and other San Diego County military sites where firefighting foam was historically used in training.
Regional concentration
Southern California has one of the highest concentrations of PFAS detections in the nation, with over 200 water systems showing measurable levels at some point in the past decade.
Legal is not ideal
San Diego’s municipal water meets current legal standards. For PFAS, where regulatory limits are still being established, legal and ideal are not the same number.
Other toxins worth understanding
PFAS get the headlines. They are not the only contaminants that show up in San Diego testing.
0.36 ppb
Chromium-6
Detected in San Diego water at roughly 18 times the level many researchers consider safe. The EPA does not currently regulate chromium-6 specifically.
TTHMs
Disinfection byproducts
Chloramine reacting with organic matter produces TTHMs and HAA5 compounds, both associated with long-term health concerns at sustained exposure.
2 ppb
Arsenic
Detected in San Diego below the EPA limit but above the 1 ppb level often recommended for homes with children.
Which Systems Actually Remove PFAS
Not all filtration is equal. Here is the honest comparison.
Reverse osmosis
Most effective
- Removes up to 99% of PFAS at the tap
- Also handles chromium-6, lead, arsenic
- The recommendation for drinking water
Whole-house carbon
Varies by system
- Reduces PFAS, effectiveness varies by design
- Useful whole-home reduction layer
- Strongest when paired with RO at the tap
Pitcher filters
Not recommended
- Most do not effectively remove PFAS
- Do not rely on them for these contaminants
- Fine for taste, wrong tool for this job
Higher-Concern Areas in San Diego County
Regulators have paid the most attention to these areas for PFAS. If you live near a military installation or former industrial site, a free water test with PFAS screening is particularly worth scheduling.
Camp PendletonMCAS MiramarOceansideCarlsbadPowayNorth County
Concerned about PFAS? Start with the test.
We come to your home, screen for forever-chemical markers along with the full panel, and walk you through what we find. No cost, no obligation.
PFAS Questions We Hear Most
Is San Diego tap water safe to drink?
San Diego’s municipal water meets every current legal standard. The honest caveat: legal limits for PFAS are still being established, chromium-6 has no specific federal limit, and chloramine is left in the water by design. Safe by the current rulebook and ideal are different questions, which is why we test rather than guess.
How do I know if my home has PFAS in its water?
Our free in-home test includes a screening for forever-chemical markers. For legally certified results, a state-certified laboratory is the right path, and we will tell you if your screening suggests that step is worth taking.
What removes PFAS from drinking water?
Reverse osmosis is the most effective residential technology, removing up to 99% at the tap. Whole-house catalytic carbon reduces PFAS with system-dependent results. Standard pitcher filters do not do this job.
Start with the free water test.
We come to your home, test your water on the spot, and walk you through exactly what we find. Thirty to forty-five minutes, no cost, no obligation. If your water is fine, we tell you that too.
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Free consultations and water tests are for homeowners or those working directly with the homeowner. If you need water testing for legal purposes, please contact a state-certified laboratory.
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