Water Filtration Performance Data & Contaminant Reduction
Freedom Water Systems uses advanced filtration media technologies designed to reduce a wide range of contaminants and water-quality concerns. The performance data below includes results for PFAS compounds such as PFOA and PFOS, chlorine and chloramine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), emerging contaminants, pharmaceuticals, fluoride, and other substances.
Results shown are based on laboratory testing under the conditions indicated in the source performance data. Actual performance can vary based on water chemistry, contaminant concentration, flow rate, system configuration, media age, and household water use.
Where an NSF/ANSI standard or historical NSF protocol is referenced, the reference identifies the testing method or performance basis used in the source data. It should not be interpreted as a statement that every Freedom Water Systems product is independently NSF certified unless certification is specifically stated for that product.
PFAS Reduction Data - Historical NSF P473 Test Basis
About this PFAS testing: NSF Protocol P473 was developed as a testing method for PFOA and PFOS reduction and was later incorporated into NSF/ANSI Standards 53 and 58. References to P473 were subsequently replaced by the applicable NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 standards.
Source: NSF - Forever Chemicals and the Advancement of Filtration Standards
The results below reflect the historical P473 test basis and should not be interpreted as demonstrating compliance with today's EPA drinking-water limits. The EPA currently sets enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 4.0 ppt for PFOS.
Source: U.S. EPA - PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
| Contaminant | Influent Challenge Concentration | Maximum Permissible Product Water Concentration | Percent Reduction | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | 1.5 +/- 10% µg/L | 0.07 µg/L | 96% | Pass - historical P473 criterion |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) | 1.5 +/- 10% µg/L | 0.07 µg/L | 96% | Pass - historical P473 criterion |
NSF/ANSI 42 - Taste & Odor
| Contaminant / Parameter | Challenge / Influent | Product Water | Percent Reduction | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Reduction, Free Available | 2.0 mg/L | <0.5 mg/L | >99% | Pass |
| Chloramine Reduction, Free Available | 4.0 mg/L | <0.5 mg/L | >98% | Pass |
| Particulate @ 20 micron | 85% | >99.99% | >99.99% | Pass |
| Microplastics | 100 mg/L | <1 mg/L | >99% |
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)*
| Contaminant | EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) mg/L | Influent Challenge (mg/L) | Effluent Maximum (mg/L) | Percent Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alachlor | 0.002 | 0.05 | 0.001 | >98% |
| Atrazine | 0.003 | 0.100 | 0.003 | >97% |
| Benzene | 0.005 | 0.081 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Carbofuran (Furadan) | 0.04 | 0.19 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Carbon Tetrachloride | 0.005 | 0.078 | 0.0018 | >98% |
| Chlorobenzene | 0.1 | 0.077 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Chloropicrin | - | 0.015 | 0.0002 | >99% |
| 2,4-D (Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) | 0.07 | 0.110 | 0.0017 | >98% |
| Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) | 0.0002 | 0.052 | 0.00002 | >99% |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | 0.6 | 0.08 | 0.001 | >99% |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | 0.075 | 0.04 | 0.001 | >98% |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | 0.005 | 0.088 | 0.0048 | >95% |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 0.007 | 0.083 | 0.001 | >99% |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.07 | 0.17 | 0.0005 | >99% |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | 0.1 | 0.086 | 0.001 | >99% |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | 0.005 | 0.08 | 0.001 | >99% |
| cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene | - | 0.079 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Dinoseb | 0.007 | 0.17 | 0.0002 | >99% |
| Endrin | 0.002 | 0.053 | 0.00059 | >99% |
| Ethylbenzene | 0.7 | 0.088 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Ethylene Dibromide (EDB) | 0.00005 | 0.044 | 0.00002 | >99% |
| Haloacetonitriles (HAN): Bromochloroacetonitrile | - | 0.022 | 0.0005 | >98% |
| Haloacetonitriles (HAN): Dibromoacetonitrile | - | 0.024 | 0.0006 | >98% |
| Haloacetonitriles (HAN): Dichloroacetonitrile | - | 0.0096 | 0.0002 | >98% |
| Haloacetonitriles (HAN): Trichloroacetonitrile | - | 0.015 | 0.0003 | >98% |
| Haloketones (HK): 1,1-dichloro-2-propanone | - | 0.0072 | 0.0001 | >99% |
| Haloketones (HK): 1,1,1-trichloro-2-propanone | - | 0.0082 | 0.0003 | >96% |
| Heptachlor (H-34, Heptox) | 0.0004 | 0.25 | 0.00001 | >99% |
| Heptachlor Epoxide | 0.0002 | 0.0107 | 0.0002 | >98% |
| Hexachlorobutadiene | - | 0.044 | 0.001 | >98% |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | 0.05 | 0.06 | 0.000002 | >99% |
| Lindane | 0.0002 | 0.055 | 0.00001 | >99% |
| Methoxychlor | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Pentachlorophenol | 0.001 | 0.096 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Simazine | 0.004 | 0.12 | 0.004 | >97% |
| Styrene (Vinylbenzene) | 0.1 | 0.15 | 0.0005 | >99% |
| 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane | - | 0.081 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.005 | 0.081 | 0.001 | >99% |
| Toluene | 1 | 0.078 | 0.001 | >99% |
| 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) | 0.05 | 0.27 | 0.0016 | >99% |
| Tribromoacetic acid | - | 0.042 | 0.001 | >98% |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | 0.07 | 0.160 | 0.0005 | >99% |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | 0.2 | 0.084 | 0.0048 | >95% |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | 0.005 | 0.15 | 0.0005 | >99% |
| Trichloroethylene | 0.005 | 0.18 | 0.0010 | >99% |
| Trihalomethanes (THMs): Chloroform (TTHM)** | 0.080 | 0.300 | 0.015 | >99.8% |
| Xylenes (Total) | 10 | 0.070 | 0.001 | >99% |
*MCL values shown reflect the regulatory values referenced in the source performance data. EPA defines a Maximum Contaminant Level as the highest level of a contaminant allowed in drinking water. Current federal drinking-water standards should always be verified with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Reference: U.S. EPA - National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
NSF/ANSI 401 - Emerging Contaminants
NSF/ANSI 401 addresses emerging contaminants and incidental compounds that may occur at trace levels in drinking water, including certain pharmaceuticals, personal-care compounds, herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals.
Reference: NSF - Emerging Contaminants and NSF/ANSI 401
| Contaminant | Maximum Concentration (ng/L) | Minimum Percent Reduction | Maximum Percent Reduction | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atenolol | 30 ng/L | 94.2% | 95% | Pass |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) | 300 ng/L | 98.80% | 99% | Pass |
| Carbamazepine | 200 ng/L | 98.6% | 98.9% | Pass |
| DEET | 200 ng/L | 98.7% | 98.9% | Pass |
| Estrone | 20 ng/L | 96.30% | 97% | Pass |
| Ibuprofen | 60 ng/L | 95.3% | 95.4% | Pass |
| Linuron | 20 ng/L | 96.6% | 96.6% | Pass |
| Meprobamate | 60 ng/L | 94.7% | 94.7% | Pass |
| Metolachlor | 200 ng/L | 98.6% | 98.6% | Pass |
| Naproxen | 20 ng/L | 96.3% | 96.4% | Pass |
| Nonyl phenol | 200 ng/L | 97.50% | 97.5% | Pass |
| Phenytoin | 30 ng/L | 95.50% | 95.6% | Pass |
| TCEP | 700 ng/L | 98% | 98% | Pass |
| TCPP | 700 ng/L | 97.8% | 98% | Pass |
| Trimethoprim | 20 ng/L | 96.7% | 98% | Pass |
Misc. Contaminants - Fluoride Filtration Systems
| Contaminant | Influent Challenge | Percent Reduction | EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) mg/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride (Hydrofluorosilicic Acid HFSA, FSA) | 6.0 mg/L | >99% | 4.0 |
EPA reference: U.S. EPA - National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
Important Testing & Application Notes
- Do not use a filtration system with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown microbiological quality without adequate disinfection before treatment.
- Whole-home filtration systems should be installed on the main water supply as specified for the individual system.
- Testing was performed under laboratory conditions. Actual performance may vary based on water chemistry, contaminant levels, flow rate, system configuration, maintenance, and household usage.
- Not all contaminants listed on this page will necessarily be present in your water.
- Unlisted contaminants, or contaminants present at concentrations outside tested conditions, may require different or additional treatment.
Private or community well water should be independently tested before selecting a filtration or treatment system. Water chemistry and contaminant levels can vary significantly from one property to another. Start with testing, then choose treatment based on the actual results. Explore well water filtration systems.
How Filtration Media Performance Works
Filtration performance depends on several factors, including the type and quantity of media, available surface area, water contact time, flow rate, water chemistry, contaminant concentration, and proper system maintenance.
Freedom Water Systems uses catalytic and adsorptive filtration media selected for the water conditions and contaminants a system is designed to address. Increasing effective media contact and surface area can improve the opportunity for contaminants to be adsorbed, reduced, or otherwise treated as water passes through the system.
System selection should be based on the water source and, when appropriate, laboratory water testing rather than contaminant-reduction percentages alone.
Understanding the Performance Data
The contaminant data above includes industrial chemicals, herbicides and pesticides, pharmaceuticals, disinfection chemicals and disinfection by-products, and contaminants that may be associated with aging water-delivery systems.
A contaminant appearing in these tables does not mean it is present in every water supply. Municipal-water quality varies by utility and location, while private well water can vary from one property to another. Testing can help identify which water-quality concerns actually need treatment.
Sources & Testing References
Regulatory standards and testing protocols can change over time. The following authoritative resources provide current context for standards and regulatory values referenced on this page.
- NSF - Forever Chemicals and the Advancement of Filtration Standards - historical NSF P473 and transition to NSF/ANSI 53 and 58.
- NSF - Emerging Contaminants - background and reference information for NSF/ANSI 401.
- U.S. EPA - PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation - current federal PFAS drinking-water standards.
- U.S. EPA - National Primary Drinking Water Regulations - current federal Maximum Contaminant Levels and drinking-water standards.
Explore Water Filtration Solutions
Performance data is one part of choosing the right water treatment system. Water source, chemistry, contaminant levels, household usage, and treatment goals should also be considered.
- Compare Whole House Water Filtration Systems
- Explore Well Water Filtration Systems
- Explore Fluoride Water Filtration
- Which Water Filtration System Is Right for Your Home?
Contact Freedom Water Systems
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