There’s a bond between water and trust. You pour a glass for your child, rinse vegetables at the sink, and brew coffee in the morning. Each act connected by a net of perceived safety. Yet ongoing news of PFAS in drinking water shakes that trust.
These “forever chemicals” have seeped into military bases, neighborhoods, and everyday homes. And now some protections that once guarded families are being peeled back. When safety feels fragile, it’s natural to ask: who’s looking out for us, and what can we do for ourselves?
PFAS Rollbacks and Their Impact on Military Families
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are chemicals so persistent they earn the nickname “forever.” They are essentially chemicals that don’t break down in the environment or in our bodies.
In the military, PFAS-lined products like AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam), the fire foam used on military bases, expose military personnel to PFAS and leech the forever chemicals into the ground.
These same bases now carry a legacy of chemical water contamination. Families and veterans have pursued PFAS contamination lawsuits, highlighting the harm caused by exposure. But it’s not just military personnel and their families that are affected. Communities near these sites face ongoing PFAS exposure risks from runoff and training exercises.
The problem is so widespread, the EWG created a list of toxic military bases with over 700 military sites known or suspected discharges of PFAS. They also released a broader list of PFAS contamination sites across the US. And recent proposals in the National Defense Authorization Act would undo hard-won safeguards, risking more exposure and increasing contamination sites.
Among the Rollback Changes:
- Extending the use of PFAS firefighting foam in drills and emergencies
- Cutting close to $200 million from cleanup budgets tied to EPA drinking water standards
- Delaying enforcement of new water safety thresholds
For service members and their families, this is no abstract threat. Exposure has already been linked to cancers, immune damage, and conditions noted in PFAS military lawsuits.
PFAS Lawsuits and Military Accountability
Over the years, lawsuits have become one of the only ways families have fought for recognition. From the fire fighting foam lawsuits to the Navy thyroid disease lawsuit, courts have seen evidence tying PFAS exposure to long-term health harm. Veterans have pursued PFAS military lawsuits, while civilians joined PFAS water contamination lawsuits against manufacturers.
Studies connect PFAS to liver cancer and other serious health issues including:
- Kidney and testicular cancer
- Immune system suppression
- Reduced vaccine effectiveness
- Thyroid disease and endocrine disruption
- Low birth weight and developmental effects in children
- Increased cholesterol and metabolic issues
- Reproductive harm and fertility issues
Each case underscores the same truth: protections were too little, too late. And while litigation crawls forward, families remain at risk from ongoing contamination.
Why It Matters: PFAS and Everyday Families
You don’t have to live behind a base fence to feel the effects. Groundwater spreads. Wells draw from aquifers connected far beyond the gate. Families miles away can unknowingly drink what firefighters once sprayed.
Health risks tied to PFAS exposure include cancer, developmental issues, endocrine disruption, and weakened immunity. Everyday parents, not just military families, are left worrying whether the water filling their children’s cups carries invisible harm. Rollbacks only deepen that worry.
That’s why finding safe drinking water solutions for families becomes not just wise, but essential.
What Families Can Do Now
Waiting for lawsuits or government standards can feel like watching clouds move. But action at home is immediate.
The good news: filtration technology has advanced to target PFAS directly.
Families Can Look for:
- Filters that remove PFAS: Not all systems qualify, but those designed for PFAS removal make a measurable difference. The EPA has a guide for filtering PFAS from drinking water.
- NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 Certification: Proof that a system has been tested by a third-party that it is effective against health-based contaminants. NSF/ANSI 58 certification is specifically for reverse osmosis systems.
- Water Filter Media: Filtering media like activated carbon and high-pressure membranes,like that in reverse osmosis systems, that capture or reduce PFAS.
Reverse osmosis technology is one of the most effective filters for PFAS, stripping contaminants down to microscopic levels. That’s where Aquasure comes in.
The Aquasure Difference
Aquasure systems are built for families who want to stop worrying and start trusting their tap again. The Aquasure Premier Series, an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system uses advanced filtration to remove PFAS and other contaminants from your drinking water. With ultrafiltration capabilities, it's a system that protects your health glass by glass.
Paired with whole-home defense options like Aquasure's Fortitude Pro series and Aquasure Fortitude V2 pre-filter, it creates a barrier between your family and hidden contaminants.
These aren’t just clean water solutions; they’re peace of mind. Tested, engineered, and backed by years of innovation, they represent the line where concern ends and confidence begins.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of What Flows Into Your Home
Imagine turning on the tap without hesitation. Filling bottles for school, boiling pasta, brewing coffee all without that persistent question of safety in the back of your mind. With Aquasure, water becomes what it should have always been: life-giving, simple, dependable.
Water standards may shift with politics, but the health of your home should never feel uncertain. With Aquasure, you hold the power to protect your family. And that promise never changes.
Shop Aquasure's Premier Series reverse osmosis (RO) systems and our Fortitude whole-house water treatment systems and pre-filters for clean drinking water today.
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