Cadillac PFAS Report

Cadillac PFAS Report

Michigan's PFAS saga is flowing into the city of Cadillac where state officials are working on a targeted filtration program. Local news station 9&10 News reports that the Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) is offering free under-sink filters to private well owners who show any PFAS detection in the investigation area, while city and township residents can rest easy with their compliant municipal water supply. The state's betting big on NSF/ANSI 53-certified filters, which can reduce total PFAS to 20 parts per trillion, with both reverse osmosis and granular activated carbon systems getting the thumbs up. For those outside the free program's jurisdiction, DIY testing through the state lab comes with a $290 price tag. The investigation remains ongoing, with officials noting that contamination sources could range from industrial processes to impacted septic fields.

A Fresh Take on Salt-Free

Our friends from Next Filtration reached out about last week's salt vs. salt-free conversation and offered up some additional talking points. For starters, the team emphasizes that salt-free technologies shouldn't be lumped into one category. They explain that using water hardness tests to measure these systems' performance isn't appropriate, since solutions like TAC (template assisted crystallization) transform minerals rather than remove them. The team also points to third-party studies showing TAC media is just as effective at preventing scale as traditional softeners. While they note TAC media needs replacement every 3-5 years (vs. 10-15 for softeners), they say the total cost evens out when considering other factors like salt purchases and water usage. They also highlight the environmental benefits like no electricity use, no backwash waste, and a lower carbon footprint from salt production and transport. The bottom line: both approaches work well. Traditional softeners give the classic soft water feel, while salt-free systems are great if you want something more hands-off.

MORE: Check out the very comprehensive research on alternatives to ion exchange done by the CA Water Board.

Trump's Water Policy Shift

In a recent SpringWell article the team discusses Trump's return to the White House and how it could signal two major shifts in U.S. water policy. First up: fluoride might be getting the boot, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump's pick to lead the nation's health agency, pledging to advise removal from all U.S. water systems. That said, SpringWell’s Stricklin notes that the feds can't actually force this change at the local level. The second shake-up is that the incoming administration will likely continue its previous deregulatory approach, potentially rolling back Biden-era rules on PFAS limits and revising clean water standards. While Trump's team frames these changes as cutting red tape for industry growth, environmental groups cited in the report warn they could impact water quality nationwide.

Types of Water Softeners

Clearwater-based Countryside Water posted a comprehensive guide that breaks down the key factors in choosing a home water softener, highlighting four main system types in today's market. The team says ion exchange systems remain the most popular choice, trading hard minerals for sodium or potassium ions, while salt-free conditioners offer an eco-friendly alternative using template assisted crystallization. For heavy water users, they say dual-tank systems provide uninterrupted soft water, though at a higher price point. The guide emphasizes that proper sizing is crucial: factors like household size and local water hardness (measured in grains per gallon) should drive the decision, with the average person using about 75 gallons daily. The report also notes a shift toward demand-delayed regeneration systems, which are pricier upfront but can deliver long-term savings on salt and water usage.

What else is happening:

• Aquagga, a US-based PFAS destruction company, is announced as one of the winners of the global 'Tackling Water Pollution Challenge' under the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative

• The Georgia Straight, a Canadian newsletter (confusing, we know), posted their list of top water softener resins

• WQA Podcast releases a new episode titled ‘A Life in Water’ with Culligan dealer C.R. Hall

• Aquarius Home Services, a Kinetico dealer, posted a comprehensive chart of tap water contaminants by zip code in Wisconsin