Protecting Your Home: What Camas Residents Need to Know About PFAS and Reverse Osmosis

UPDATE (July 18, 2026): New PFAS Notices Sent to Camas Residents

If you are a Camas water customer, you likely just opened your mailbox to find another official notice regarding Well 13 and PFAS ("forever chemicals").

Because of high summer water demands, the city has had to put Well 13 back into use. The Washington State Department of Health required this mailer because recent testing on June 16, 2026, revealed PFOS levels at 16.3 ppt (parts per trillion). To align with federal EPA regulations, Washington's State Action Level (SAL) is now set at a strict 4 ppt.

What’s Really Going On?

• The History: Well 13, located near Louis Bloch Park, has faced elevated PFAS challenges since testing began in 2022. In fact, June 2025 tests saw peaks as high as 46.9 ppt.
• The Summer Surge: The city only activates this well during hot summer months when local water demand outpaces our standard supply. To help keep it offline as much as possible, the city is asking all residents to voluntarily conserve water and limit non-essential usage (like lawn watering) to every other day.
• The Long-Term Solution: The City of Camas is actively addressing this by constructing a new $12 million ion-exchange treatment system specifically for Well 13, which is slated to go online by Spring 2027.

What is PFOS and Why Does It Matter?

PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) belongs to a class of synthetic "forever chemicals" originally used in manufacturing stain repellents (like Scotchgard), firefighting foams, and food packaging. While major manufacturers like 3M phased them out years ago, these chemicals do not break down naturally. Instead, they linger in the environment and accumulate in the human body through drinking water and contaminated food.

According to the EPA, PFOS is "likely to be carcinogenic to humans." Prolonged exposure has been linked to severe health risks, including:

• Increased risk of kidney and liver cancer
• Elevated cholesterol levels and altered liver enzymes
• Decreased birth weights
• Reduced immune response to vaccines
• 

How You Can Protect Your Home Right Now

We are grateful that the State of Washington and the City of Camas are completely transparent about our water data—many states don't report these levels at all. However, because Well 13 will remain a necessary backup until the new filtration plant opens in 2027, this will continue to be an ongoing summer issue.

If you want immediate peace of mind and total control over what your family drinks, a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is the single most effective defense. Installed directly at your kitchen tap, an RO system physically strips out these microscopic "forever chemicals" before they ever reach your glass.

💡 Already have an RO System? Now is the perfect time to replace your filters to ensure maximum filtration efficiency for the summer.

If you want to discuss installing a system or need help servicing your current unit, give us a call at 360-209-4048. We’re always here to help keep your home’s water safe and clean!

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Over the last year, a topic has been making headlines that every local homeowner in our beautiful hometown of Camas, WA should pay attention to: PFAS in our well water supply.

At Maxwell Plumbing, we view plumbing as an art and a family legacy. Part of that "art" is ensuring the water running through your pipes is as safe and clean as possible.

Today, we’re breaking down what’s happening with Camas’s wells and why a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is one of the best options for protecting your family.

The Situation: PFAS and Well 13

Recent updates fand an email out to homeowners from the City of Camas have highlighted concerns regarding "forever chemicals," or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), particularly in Well 13.

While the City is proactively working on a multi-million dollar filtration facility, it isn't expected to be fully operational until Spring 2027. In the meantime, as temperatures rise and water demand increases, Well 13 is often activated to ensure the community has enough water.

What are PFAS?

These man-made chemicals are used in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foams. They are called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down easily in the environment—or in the human body.

Why Standard Filters Fall Short

Many customers ask us if a standard refrigerator filter or a pitcher-style filter is enough. Unfortunately, the answer is usually no.

• Pore Size: PFAS molecules are incredibly small. Standard carbon filters often have "pores" that are thousands of times larger than an RO membrane.
• Reliability: While some specialized carbon filters can reduce PFAS, they lose effectiveness quickly as they saturate.

One Solution: Reverse Osmosis Systems

If you want the highest level of protection for your drinking water, Reverse Osmosis is the answer.

How it works:

RO systems use a semi-permeable membrane with microscopic openings (roughly 0.0001 microns). By applying pressure, the system forces water through this membrane, physically stripping away up to 99% of contaminants, including PFAS, microplastics, lead, and arsenic.

The Benefits for Camas Homeowners:

• Peace of Mind: You don't have to wait until 2027 for the city's new filtration plant. You can have pure water right now.
• Better Taste: RO removes the minerals and chemicals that can give tap water a "tang," leaving you with bottled-water quality at your kitchen sink.
• Cost-Effective: Stop buying plastic water bottles (another possible solution, but costly and wasteful). An RO system pays for itself over time and is much better for the environment. Not to mention, point of use is convenient.  We recommend filling glass jars with RO water to serve as a great treat for your family

Plumbing has been in our family for four generations, and we’ve seen how water quality affects both your health and your home's plumbing longevity. We specialize in installing high-quality Reverse Osmosis systems tailored to the specific needs of Southwest Washington homes.

Ready to upgrade your water? Book a FREE ESTIMATE with us today and we'll evaluate your home and help you find the best filtration option to keep your water clean, clear, and safe.

Maxwell Plumbing

Serving SW Washington & the PDX Metro Area

360-209-4048