PFAS in Tap Water: What They Are, Why They’re in Tap Water, How to Test, and How to Reduce Them

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What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of man-made chemicals known for their resistance to heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Because of these properties, PFAS have been used in nonstick cookware, water-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and many industrial processes.

The challenge: PFAS do not break down easily in the environment or the human body. That’s why they are often called “forever chemicals.” Research shows that long-term exposure can increase risks for cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental issues in children.

In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the first enforceable national drinking water standards for several PFAS, requiring public water systems to test and take action. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also reviewed PFAS risks and supports limiting their presence in drinking water.

 

Why PFAS may be present in tap water (sources)

PFAS enter water supplies in several ways:

  • Firefighting foams (AFFF): Used at airports, military bases, and training sites.
  • Industrial discharges: PFAS are released during the manufacturing of textiles, coatings, and plastics.
  • Landfills: Leachate from disposed consumer goods and packaging.
  • Wastewater & biosolids: PFAS from household and industrial wastewater can cycle back through treatment plants and land applications.
  • Atmospheric deposition: PFAS can travel through the air and settle into soil and water.

 

How to test or find specific information about your tap or well water for PFAS

Review your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). If you received water from a water supply you can contact them and request information about PFAS. Public water systems may monitor and disclose PFAS results under EPA’s rule.
Accredited laboratory testing. The EPA recognizes Method 533 and Method 537.1 as an approved method for PFAS detection in drinking water. These can detect 29 PFAS compounds. You can contact us and we can help you to identify if your tap water or private well contain PFAS and at what level.
Private well testing. If you use a private well as a water source for cooking, drinking or showering, and would like to know if the well water contain PFAS and at what levels you can contact us or contact a state-certified lab and follow their sampling instructions carefully (to avoid contamination). We recommended to contract a certify sampler.
Interpreting results. Compare results to EPA’s enforceable limits. Ecotonofl can help you on that.

You are one phone call away to know if you are expose to PFAS. We will take it from there. We will sample, take it to a certify lab and call you to interpret the results.

Below you can find the current limits in the Unite State for PFAS under the EPA rules:

– PFOA & PFOS: 4 ppt each

– PFNA, PFHxS, GenX (HFPO-DA): 10 ppt each

– Mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS are regulated using a Hazard Index approach (Pending revision).

Note: PFAS regulations are under revision so limits may change over time

How to reduce PFAS in your tap water

For households:

  • Reverse Osmosis (RO): Highly effective at reducing PFAS.
  • Certain activated carbon filters are proven to reduce PFOA and PFOS — always check certifications and replace cartridges regularly.

For water systems: EPA has identified Best Available Technologies (BAT) for utilities, including:

  • Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
  •  Ion Exchange (IX) resins
  • High-pressure membranes (RO/Nanofiltration)

Proper management of waste streams (spent media and brines) is also critical to prevent secondary contamination.

Key takeaways

  1. PFAS are persistent, harmful chemicals that can enter tap water through firefighting foams, industry, landfills, wastewater, and the atmosphere.
  2. Testing is best done via EPA-approved methods (533, 537.1) by a DOH certified laboratory.
  3. At home, RO and certified filters are effective; at the utility level, GAC, IX, and RO are leading solutions.
  4. The EPA now enforces strict standards to protect public health, while WHO provides international guidance.
  5. Private wells owners are responsible for their own testing