What "PFAS" Are (and Why You Should Care)

Would you keep using the same coffee filter every morning for years?

Probably not. After just one use, it’s stained, soggy, and ready for the trash.

But when it comes to our water systems, many of us unknowingly do the same thing: relying on outdated filters or aging treatment units while contaminants like PFAS quietly flow into our homes.

PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” don’t smell, don’t taste, and don’t go away on their own.

Sean and April Kidwell, owners of All American Purification and long-time Southwest Florida residents, know this firsthand. After noticing a shift in their local water quality, they made changes to protect their family, including their three daughters and young grandson. Now, they’re helping others do the same, without scare tactics or confusion, All American Purification is committed to sharing real information and smarter solutions.

What Are PFAS (and Why Should You Care)?

According to ResinTech, a leading filter manufacturer specializing in PFAS treatment, PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, but most people just know them as “forever chemicals.” They earned that nickname because they don’t break down easily — not in the environment, and definitely not in our bodies.

Originally developed for products like nonstick pans, waterproof clothing, fast food wrappers, and firefighting foam, PFAS are now found in soil, air, and yes - drinking water.

In April 2024, the EPA officially set limits on certain types of PFAS in tap water across the U.S. That means cities and utilities will need to take action. But for families like the Kidwells, who’ve been watching the issue for years, the time to act wasn’t “someday.” It was now.

​​“It’s not about fear,” Sean says. “It’s about giving people tools to protect their families.”

What Sean & April Did Differently

After years in the water industry, Sean and April Kidwell had heard plenty about PFAS. But it wasn’t until after a major hurricane and red tide event that they noticed a real change in their own water — in how it looked, smelled, and tasted.

“The water coming into our home was different,” April said. “The city started treating it more aggressively with chlorine and ammonia to kill bacteria. But that also meant we had to step up our own protection.”

So they did something most homeowners don’t think about: they re-bedded their water treatment system — replacing the carbon and resin inside to better target the local water quality challenges. 

“It’s like changing your car’s transmission fluid,” April explained. “Eventually it’s old, and it stops doing its job. People don’t realize that just because the water looks clear doesn’t mean it’s clean.”

They chose the Hydra PFAS Reduction System, a specialized point-of-use filter offered by All American Purification that uses ResinTech® SIR-110-HP — an advanced ion exchange media engineered specifically for PFAS removal. This system has been independently tested to remove seven PFAS compounds with over 99% effectiveness, even under high contamination levels. And they didn’t stop there — they also made sure that the used cartridges would be safely bagged and disposed of, preventing those same contaminants from leaching back into the environment. Even under high contamination levels, the Hydra system was independently lab-tested to reduce PFAS by 99% — up to double its rated capacity.

“We’re not about scare tactics,” Sean said. “We just want people to have the facts and the tools to make better choices.”

A Look Inside The System Protecting Local Homes Like Yours

What PFAS Protection Looks Like in Action

You might be wondering what a PFAS filtration system actually looks like — and we get it. These invisible chemicals don’t exactly have a face, but the technology protecting your home does.

The PFAS Terminator

 Above: A professional PFAS reduction system installed with dual filtration tanks and point-of-use carbon filters — available through All American Purification.

This setup is designed for serious protection, and it’s more than just a big blue filter. Systems like these include ion exchange media, specialized resin beds, and flow controllers to make sure PFAS molecules are captured before they ever reach your faucet.

One of the systems we recommend is the Hydra PFAS Reduction System, which uses ResinTech® SIR-110-HP, a premium ion exchange resin designed specifically to target and reduce harmful PFAS compounds like PFOA, PFOS, and PFHxS — even under extreme conditions.

✅ Independently lab-tested to remove 99% of PFAS 

✅ Certified to handle up to 2,160 ppt in challenge water 

✅ Proven to reduce both long- and short-chain PFAS compounds 

✅ Made in the USA and meets NSF/ANSI safety standards

These systems aren’t just smart — they’re built to last, with lot control traceability, wall-mountable, low-profile design, and flow-controlled operation to ensure every drop of water is treated properly.

How All American Purification Is Helping Families Like Yours

For Sean and April, this isn’t just business — it’s personal. As lifelong Southwest Florida residents and the owners of All American Purification, they’re not just watching water quality change in the community — they’re experiencing it in their own home.

“We’re going through the same things as our customers,” Sean said. “The difference is, we’ve made it our mission to stay ahead of the curve so we can help others do the same.”

Through national organizations like the Water Quality Association (WQA) and direct relationships with suppliers and environmental professionals, All American Purification receives critical updates before most consumers even know there’s a change coming. And because they’re a local, family-owned business, they can move faster than the big-name water companies.

“We know the neighborhoods. We know what storms did to the systems. We know how the city’s treatment plans are affecting people street by street,” April shared.

That level of community-specific insight is something big national companies simply can’t offer. And while others might use fear to sell solutions, the Kidwells take a different approach: educating first, and offering unique localized options second.

Whether it’s a simple under-sink system or a full home filtration upgrade, All American Purification walks customers through every step — from choosing the right filter media to knowing when it’s time to replace it. And they’re even adopting eco-conscious disposal practices, making sure used filters don’t wind up polluting local soil or groundwater.

“This is about long-term health, not hard sells,” Sean said. “If we can help someone protect their home, we’re going to do it.”

What You Can Do Today

You don’t need to be a water expert to take control of what’s coming out of your faucet — you just need the right information and a partner who understands what’s happening in your backyard.

At All American Purification, Sean and April aren’t just selling water systems — they’re using them in their own home, with their own family, in the same neighborhoods you live in. They’ve already done the research, tested the solutions, and stayed one step ahead of changing regulations so you don’t have to.

This isn’t about fear. It’s about making informed, confident choices for your home and health. You deserve solutions that fit your family’s needs — not pressure, panic, or generic answers from a company hundreds of miles away.

If you’re unsure about your water, if your filters haven’t been changed in a while, or if you simply want peace of mind — now is the time to ask questions.

📞 Give All American Purification a call: (941)483-4426

📍 Stop by the shop and chat in person. 

💬 Or just send over your concerns and let their team walk you through the options — no pressure, no panic.

Because clean water shouldn’t be confusing.

It should be clear — in every sense of the word.