What is the EPA limit for PFAS in drinking water?

The EPA's April 2024 final rule set limits for six PFAS compounds. PFOA and PFOS are limited to 4 parts per trillion (ppt) each, the lowest level reliably measurable. PFNA and PFHxS are also regulated, and combined limits apply for HFPO-DA (GenX) and PFHxS mixtures.

How do I know if my water has PFAS?

Your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) may show PFAS data if they tested. But CCRs often lag behind. The most reliable way is a mail-in lab test from a certified lab. Look for labs certified under the EPA's Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) methods.

Does a Brita filter remove PFAS?

Standard activated carbon filters like Brita reduce some PFAS, but inconsistently and not completely. The NSF P473 certification covers PFOA and PFOS reduction, but most pitcher filters aren't certified to that standard. Reverse osmosis is the reliable choice, NSF 58-certified RO systems remove 90, 99% of PFAS.

Is bottled water free from PFAS?

Not always. The FDA doesn't currently require PFAS testing in bottled water. Some brands have voluntarily tested and reported clean results. Others haven't tested at all. A certified RO system at home is a more consistent solution than relying on bottled water.

PFAS in Drinking Water: What You Need to Know

PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of roughly 12,000 synthetic chemicals. They’ve been manufactured since the 1940s and used in products ranging from Teflon cookware to firefighting foam (AFFF) to food packaging.

They’re also in about 45% of US tap water samples, according to the 2023 USGS study published in Science of The Total Environment.

The EPA’s 2024 PFAS Limits

In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever national drinking water limits for PFAS. The rule covers six compounds:

PFOA: 4 ppt maximum
PFOS: 4 ppt maximum
PFNA: 10 ppt maximum
PFHxS: 10 ppt maximum
HFPO-DA (GenX): 10 ppt maximum
PFNA + PFHXS mixture: Hazard Index of 1

Public water systems have until 2027 to comply. Until then, violations won’t trigger enforcement. See EPA PFAS drinking water rule explained for what the rule requires and the compliance timeline.

The 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS is as low as current lab methods can reliably measure. The EPA’s own analysis estimates the rule will prevent thousands of deaths over 20 years from PFAS-linked cancers and cardiovascular disease.

Where PFAS Come From

The biggest sources of PFAS in drinking water:

Military bases and airports that used AFFF firefighting foam for decades. The foam soaked into soil and groundwater. Dozens of communities near former military bases have PFAS levels far above the new EPA limits.

Industrial facilities, especially those that manufactured PFAS or products containing them. DuPont’s Washington Works plant in West Virginia is the most studied case. The 2001 C8 Health Project tracked health outcomes for 69,000 people exposed to PFOA in their drinking water.

Wastewater treatment plants that processed PFAS-containing industrial waste. PFAS pass through treatment largely intact and enter surface water.

Landfills with PFAS-containing waste, leachate can contaminate nearby wells.

Health Effects

PFAS don’t break down in the body. They accumulate over years of exposure, building up in blood and organs. The 2001 C8 Health Project, which tracked 69,000 people exposed to PFOA near DuPont’s West Virginia plant, established probable links between PFOA exposure and six health conditions: kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.

More recent research has connected PFAS exposure to immune system suppression, including reduced vaccine response in children. A 2020 study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that children with higher blood PFAS levels produced fewer antibodies after routine vaccinations.

The EPA’s MCLG (maximum contaminant level goal) for PFOA and PFOS is zero. That means the EPA considers no level of exposure free from health risk. The enforceable 4 ppt limit exists because it’s the lowest level labs can reliably measure, not because 4 ppt is safe.

For more detail on the research: PFAS Health Effects: What the Research Shows

Who’s Most at Risk

Geographic risk is uneven. Communities near military bases with AFFF use history top the list. The Department of Defense has identified over 700 installations with known or suspected PFAS contamination.

Private well owners near industrial sites, landfills, or agricultural areas that applied biosolids (treated sewage sludge) as fertilizer are also at higher risk. Biosolids can contain high PFAS concentrations, and the chemicals leach into groundwater over time.

City water customers aren’t immune. PFAS pass through conventional water treatment. Utilities that draw from surface water downstream of PFAS sources may deliver contaminated tap water even with standard treatment in place.

What to Do If Your Water Has PFAS

First, get a test. A mail-in lab test from a certified lab is the most accurate option. The Environmental Working Group’s PFAS contamination map shows known contamination sites but isn’t a substitute for testing your own tap.

If your results show PFAS above the EPA’s limits, or above any level you’re comfortable with, a certified reverse osmosis system is the most effective treatment.

NSF 58-certified RO systems remove 90, 99% of PFOA and PFOS. Standard pitcher filters and refrigerator filters don’t perform reliably for PFAS unless they carry NSF P473 certification.

Read the full how-to guide: How to Remove PFAS from Drinking Water

Michigan is one of the most documented PFAS contamination cases in the US, with multiple military and industrial sources affecting both municipal and private well water. See Michigan PFAS water contamination for the regional details.