Yes, PFAS are in a large share of US drinking water, and tap water is one of the main ways people are exposed. A 2023 US Geological Survey study estimated that at least 45 percent of US tap water contains one or more PFAS. The good news: you can check your area and remove most of it with a properly certified filter.
Key takeaways
– An estimated 45 percent of US tap water contains at least one PFAS (USGS, 2023).
– In 2024 the EPA set the first national limits, capping PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion.
– A carbon filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or a reverse-osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 removes most PFAS; a basic pour-through pitcher usually does not.
How common is PFAS in tap water
A 2023 study by the US Geological Survey sampled tap water across the country and estimated that at least 45 percent of US tap water contains one or more PFAS. Contamination tends to be worst near industrial facilities, military bases, and airports that used PFAS-based firefighting foam, but it shows up in rural private wells too. A 2022 analysis from researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC linked PFAS in drinking water to thousands of cancer cases a year in the US.
What the rules say now
For years there was no enforceable national limit. That changed in April 2024, when the EPA finalized the first national drinking-water standards for PFAS, setting a maximum of 4 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS and limits on several other PFAS. Public water systems have a few years to comply, so contaminated water can still be flowing while systems upgrade. That is why testing and filtering at home still matters.
How to check your water
Start with your utility’s annual Consumer Confidence Report, which increasingly lists PFAS results. The Environmental Working Group’s free Tap Water Database lets you look up your zip code, and the USGS publishes a national PFAS sampling dashboard. If you are on a private well, no one tests it for you, so order a certified PFAS water test (an accredited lab kit) and sample according to the instructions.
How to filter PFAS out
Two technologies are proven against PFAS. Activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (and ideally the P473 PFAS protocol) reduce PFOA and PFOS, and reverse-osmosis systems certified to NSF/ANSI 58 remove an even broader range. Look for the specific NSF certification for PFAS on the box, not just a general “filters contaminants” claim. A standard pour-through pitcher without that certification usually does little. See our guide to the best water filter for PFAS.
Does boiling help
No. Boiling water does not destroy PFAS. Because the water evaporates but the PFAS stay behind, boiling can actually concentrate them slightly. Filtration with certified carbon or reverse osmosis is the only reliable home method.
Related guides: if you rely on a private well, see PFAS in well water, and to check your own supply, see how to test for PFAS in water.
To understand where the contamination starts, see how PFAS gets into water.
FAQ
Is PFAS in my tap water?
There is a good chance some is present: a 2023 USGS study estimated at least 45 percent of US tap water contains one or more PFAS. Check your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report or the EWG Tap Water Database by zip code, and test directly if you are on a private well.
Does a Brita filter remove PFAS?
A standard Brita pour-through pitcher is not certified to remove PFAS and generally does little. To reduce PFAS you need a filter specifically certified to NSF/ANSI 53 (carbon) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) for PFOA and PFOS, which some premium pitcher and under-sink models now carry.
Does boiling water remove PFAS?
No. Boiling does not break down PFAS and can slightly concentrate them as water evaporates. Only certified carbon filtration or reverse osmosis reliably removes PFAS from drinking water at home.
What is a safe level of PFAS in water?
In 2024 the EPA set enforceable limits of 4 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS, the most studied PFAS. Many scientists argue there is no clearly “safe” level, so lower is better, which is the case for filtering even when your water meets the legal limit.
How do I test my water for PFAS?
Utilities increasingly report PFAS in their annual water-quality report, and the EWG Tap Water Database aggregates results by zip code. For a direct result, especially on a private well, order an accredited PFAS lab test kit and follow the sampling instructions exactly.
The bottom line
PFAS in drinking water is common, but it is also one of the most fixable exposures. Check your zip code, and if PFAS is present, install a filter certified specifically for PFAS, either NSF/ANSI 53 carbon or NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis. It is the single highest-impact step most households can take. See how to avoid PFAS.
