PFAS Removal System Costs at a Glance
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to "what does PFAS removal cost?" because the right system depends entirely on your specific water quality and home. Here's what South Carolina homeowners are paying in 2026:
Whole-House Water Treatment System — $7,000 - $9,000+ (HydroSmart Recommended)
Best for: Families who want complete PFAS protection at every water point. This is what HydroSmart recommends for most Myrtle Beach and Carolina homes.
Advantages
- Treats every faucet and shower
- NSF/ANSI 53 certified for PFAS
- Low ongoing maintenance
- Protects appliances from contaminants
- Includes professional installation
Limitations
- Higher upfront investment
- Professional installation required
- Filter media replacement every 3-5 years
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis (RO) — $500 - $2,000
Best for: A good add-on for the highest-purity drinking water at one tap. Often paired with a whole-house system for complete protection.
Advantages
- Removes up to 99.82% of PFAS
- NSF/ANSI 58 certified
- Lower upfront cost
- Highest purity drinking water
Limitations
- Only treats one faucet
- Filter replacement every 6-12 months
- Showers, laundry, and other taps remain unprotected
Pitcher / Faucet Filters — $20 - $80 (Not recommended for PFAS)
Best for: Not recommended for PFAS removal. Standard carbon pitcher filters do not have the contact time or media density to effectively reduce PFAS.
Advantages
- Lowest cost
- No installation needed
- Easy to replace
Limitations
- NOT effective for most PFAS compounds
- Slow filtration rate
- No NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification for PFAS
What Affects Your PFAS Removal Cost?
The price ranges above are broad because every home is different. These five factors determine where you fall in the range — and why a water test is the essential first step before getting a quote:
Water test results
PFAS levels, plus other contaminants like hardness, iron, or bacteria, determine which system you need. Homes with multiple issues may need a multi-stage system.
Home size & water usage
Larger homes with more bathrooms need higher-capacity systems. A 2-bedroom home needs a different system than a 5-bedroom with irrigation.
Well water vs. city water
Well water homes often need additional pre-treatment for sediment or iron before PFAS filtration. This adds to the system cost but protects the PFAS filter media.
System type & certification
NSF/ANSI certified systems cost more upfront but are the only ones proven to remove PFAS to safe levels. Uncertified systems are a gamble with your family's health.
Installation complexity
Older homes, homes with non-standard plumbing, or homes that need electrical work for the system add to installation cost. A pre-installation assessment identifies these factors.
What's Included in Your System
When comparing quotes, make sure you're comparing apples to apples. HydroSmart's whole-house water treatment systems include everything — not just the equipment.
Free Water Testing
Professional in-home test for PFAS, hardness, iron, bacteria, pH, and more. Same-day results, no obligation, no cost.
NSF Certified Equipment
NSF/ANSI 53 & 58 certified systems that remove up to 99.82% of PFAS compounds including PFOA, PFOS, and GenX.
Professional Installation
Licensed technicians handle everything. Same-week installation available. 25-year warranty on tanks included.
HydroSmart Complete System Package
- Free professional in-home water test
- NSF/ANSI 53 & 58 certified equipment
- Up to 99.82% PFAS removal
- Professional installation by licensed techs
- 25-year warranty on tanks
- Ongoing maintenance support
- Home Depot Authorized dealer
- Financing options available
Why a Free Water Test Saves You Money
The Wrong System Costs More
A whole-house system is wasted money if your PFAS levels are low enough for a point-of-use RO to handle. And an inexpensive RO won't protect your family if your well water has high PFAS plus iron and sediment that clog the membrane.
Test First, Buy Right
A professional water test identifies exactly what's in your water — PFAS levels, hardness, iron, manganese, bacteria, and pH. With test results in hand, a certified technician recommends the system that solves your problem at the lowest effective cost.
What HydroSmart's Free Water Test Includes
- PFAS compound screening
- Water hardness measurement
- Iron & manganese levels
- Bacteria testing
- pH and TDS analysis
- Specific contaminant identification
- System recommendation based on results
- Written quote with financing options
Financing Options for PFAS Removal Systems
Clean water shouldn't require writing a large check up front. HydroSmart offers financing through approved partners to spread the cost into affordable monthly payments.
0% Interest Periods
Pay off the system in 12-24 months with no interest charges during the promotional period.
Low Monthly Payments
Longer-term financing that keeps your monthly cost affordable. Multiple term lengths available.
No Prepayment Penalties
Pay off early anytime without extra fees. Your technician provides estimated monthly costs during consultation.
The Real Cost of Not Removing PFAS
Bottled Water Adds Up
A family of four buying bottled water for drinking and cooking spends roughly $600-$1,200 per year. Over 10 years, that's $6,000-$12,000 — and bottled water only covers drinking and cooking. Your shower, laundry, and dishwasher still use unfiltered water.
A System Pays for Itself
A whole-house treatment system protects every faucet and lasts 10+ years with proper maintenance. Factor in health risk reduction, appliance protection, and home value increase — buyers in PFAS areas increasingly look for installed treatment systems.
Bottom line
Most South Carolina homeowners invest $7,000 - $9,000 in a professionally installed whole-house water treatment system with NSF certification. The exact cost depends on your water test results — which is why a free water test is always the right first step. HydroSmart provides free in-home testing and a no-obligation quote specific to your home.