PFAS in drinking water: where Quebec stands
In short
On 9 August 2024, Health Canada published a drinking water quality objective of 30 nanograms per litre for the sum of 25 perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. It is an objective, not a legally binding standard: it replaces the maximum acceptable concentrations published previously. Health Canada names reverse osmosis among the processes capable of meeting that target, alongside granular activated carbon and anion exchange.
Updated
What PFAS are, and why they are in the news
PFAS are a family of thousands of fluorinated compounds used since the 1950s for their non-stick, water-repellent and stain-resistant properties: pans, food packaging, textiles, firefighting foams.
They are nicknamed forever chemicals because the carbon-fluorine bond at their core is among the most stable in organic chemistry. They barely degrade in the environment and accumulate in living organisms.
The Canadian objective of 30 ng/L
Health Canada's approach is a summed one: rather than setting a limit per substance, the objective covers the combined concentration of 25 PFAS, including compounds still in use and certain precursors.
The 30 ng/L value was judged achievable by drinking water treatment plants using already widespread processes. The document explicitly names reverse osmosis among them.
The scope matters: this objective carries no legal obligation. Provinces remain free to incorporate it into their regulations or not.
What reverse osmosis actually removes
Reverse osmosis is recognised as one of the most effective processes against PFAS, because the membrane blocks molecules by size rather than by chemical affinity.
Testing in a Quebec municipality, reported by Radio-Canada, measured roughly 95% removal of the PFAS present using reverse osmosis filters.
The system we install as standard, the iSpring RCC7AK-BLK, is certified to NSF/ANSI 58. It is worth being precise about what that covers: the standard addresses reduction of total dissolved solids and a defined contaminant list; it is not a PFAS-specific certification.
What we cannot claim
- We will not say our systems eliminate PFAS. The defensible wording is: reverse osmosis is recognised by Health Canada among the processes capable of meeting the 30 ng/L objective, and Quebec testing reports roughly 95% reduction.
- The RCC7AK-BLK's NSF/ANSI 58 certification is not a PFAS certification. PFAS-specific reduction falls under NSF/ANSI P473, which this model does not carry.
- No filter replaces knowing your water. If PFAS concern you, the first step is finding out whether your supply contains any — many municipalities publish their results.
Frequently asked questions
On 9 August 2024 Health Canada published an objective of 30 ng/L for the summed concentration of 25 PFAS. It is a quality objective, not a legally binding standard.