PFAS——Safe Drinking Water

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) or “forever chemicals” have been in the news for a while. We know that they were introduced because of their resistance to oil and water, thus its use on non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and personal care products, like cosmetics, dental floss, shampoo. The chemicals can accumulate in the body over time causing adverse health effects, including cancer.

These chemicals can enter the environment (soil, air, and water) through industrial discharge, runoff, and leaching from landfills. Once in the environment, they can contaminate groundwater and surface water sources used for drinking water.

Regulations

All US public water systems must test drinking water and report results to the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The EPA sets maximum contaminant levels based on what is feasible and affordable to treat at scale -- not necessarily what carries zero health risk. Many independent health organizations recommend filtration for households with children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals regardless of utility compliance status.

The Environmental Protection Agency established the first nationwide limits for PFAS in drinking water in 2024, along with requirements that public water systems monitor six PFAS compounds and take action if levels rise above prescribed limits. It gave utilities five years to comply with the new rule.

Then, in May 2025, the agency announced that it would rescind and reconsider the new limits on four of those compounds and delay enforcement of limits on the two most concerning ones, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate).

Some states, including Pennsylvania, established their own rules.

What Do These Regulations Mean for Water Utilities?

Enforceable MCLs (Maximum Contaminent Levels ) for PFAS will require public water utilities to:

Monitor for these specific PFAS through 2027

Keep the public informed about the levels of these PFAS in their water systems

Reduce PFAS levels in drinking water if they exceed the MCL

Implement solutions by 2029 (five years) before they will be considered in violation.

If you’re concerned about PFAS and your utility doesn’t yet test for them, or if you get your water from a well, you can have your water tested by an EPA-certified lab. Two mail-in kits that did well in Consumer Reports tests were TapScore from SimpleLab and Cyclopure. Be aware that testing for PFAS isn’t cheap: SimpleLab charges $299, while Cyclopure’s is more budget-friendly at $85.

PFAS Removal

If you are interested in removal, three main types are available:

Reverse Osmosis: Uses high pressure to push water through a fine membrane that blocks 90% to 99% of PFAS particles. Typically installed under the kitchen sink.

Activated Carbon: Uses porous carbon material (like charcoal) to trap and absorb PFAS molecules as water flows through. Effective for long-chain PFAS, though less so for shorter chains.

Ion Exchange: Uses specialized charged beads (similar to water softener tech) that act like magnets to attract and hold PFAS ions.