How Did Hydroviv Perform in a Duke PFAS Removal Study?

In 2020, researchers at Duke University and NC State University published a peer-reviewed study in the Environmental Science & Technology Letters journal examining how effectively several household water filters reduce PFAS.

We think this study is critical reading for anyone concerned about their tap water. While the EPA finalized the first enforceable PFAS drinking water limits in 2024, full municipal compliance isn't expected until 2031 at the very earliest. In the meantime, the burden of removing PFAS largely falls on individual households.

Quick Summary

• What did the Duke and NC State PFAS study find? Most common home water filters only partially reduce PFAS, and some actually make contamination worse.
• Which PFAS filters work best? Reverse osmosis (RO) removed 94%+ of PFAS across all units tested, while Hydroviv Under Sink and Fridge Filters reduced PFAS to undetectable levels.
• Which PFAS filters underperformed? Pitcher, fridge, and whole-house activated carbon filters showed inconsistent results. Some brands including Brita, Berkey, and GE saw elevated PFAS levels in filtered water.
• How did Hydroviv filters perform? All four Hydroviv filters tested reduced PFAS to undetectable levels at both month one and month six.

How Did Hydroviv Filters Perform?

Researchers tested two Hydroviv Under Sink Filters and two Hydroviv Fridge/Ice Maker Filters. In all four cases, water containing detectable PFAS before filtration came back at undetectable levels (below the method detection limit, marked MDL on the graphic below) after passing through a Hydroviv filter. These results are consistent with another third-party test conducted by NC state in 2017 demonstrating that Hydroviv filters reduce PFAS significantly.

Notably, our Under Sink and Fridge/Ice Maker Filters were tested at both month one and month six of filter life. In other words, Hydroviv filters reduced PFAS to undetectable levels throughout their lifetime.

The Hydroviv Under Sink and Fridge Filters reduced PFAS to levels below detection at both month one and month six

How Did Other Popular Drinking Water Filters Perform?

The activated carbon filters used in many pitcher, countertop, refrigerator, and under sink styles demonstrated inconsistent and unpredictable PFAS removal. On average, these filters removed only about half of the PFAS present.

Even more concerning, though, is that some whole-house filters had higher levels of PFAS levels after filtration. This is probably a result of over-saturated filters releasing previously captured PFAS back into the water.

Many common pitcher and fridge filters were unable to reduce PFAS effectively

In the study, Brita and PUR pitcher filters exhibited detectable PFAS, even after filtration. Whirlpool and GE fridge filters exhibited elevated PFAS levels after filtration.

Meanwhile, reverse osmosis (RO) filters included in the study reduced PFAS levels, including GenX, by 94% or more. This finding underscores others we've seen: RO can be highly effective at filtering PFAS. But it's important to note that effectiveness often comes with a higher price tag and greater maintenance costs compared to under sink and countertop options. 

Why End-of-Life Testing Matters

One of the most important (and underreported) findings of this study is the role filter saturation plays in performance. Many brands publish PFAS test data only for brand-new filters, with no data for the filter's end-of-life.

This is misleading because filters base their replacement schedule on chlorine reduction, not PFAS reduction, which means a filter that works at month one may be releasing PFAS by month six.

What to Look For in a PFAS Filter

When shopping for a filter, always search for third-party test data demonstrating PFAS reduction throughout the filter's rated lifespan. In addition, verify that your filter of choice is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for PFOA/PFOS or Total PFAS. Doing so will confirm that the filter is rated to target PFAS.

It's also helpful to consider what other contaminants you'll want to target alongside PFAS. Most filters on the market are generic and one-size-fits-all, which means they may not adequately address all of the contaminants in your area. That's where a customized drinking water filter like Hydroviv can make all the difference.

Want to learn more about filtering PFAS from your home's water? Hydroviv's Water Experts are available to answer more questions through live chat.