Anthony Lacey
Millions of Americans have the harmful “forever chemicals” known as PFAS in their tap water, according to federal and state data in EWG’s updated Tap Water Database. But some smaller water systems might not be included in the database, and the data don’t include private wells.
For years, industrial pollution released PFAS into water supplies across the U.S., with no federal limits. The latest Environmental Protection Agency data show over 158 million Americans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have PFAS in their drinking water.
PFAS are known as forever chemicals because they never break down in the environment. Drinking PFAS-contaminated water exposes people to a wide range of health threats.
Health risks from PFAS
Consuming very low amounts of PFAS in drinking water over time may increase the potential for suppression of the immune system, including reduced vaccine efficacy, and increase the risk of certain types of cancer. PFAS are also linked to high cholesterol, reproductive and developmental problems and other harms.
The EPA last year finalized landmark standards to limit the amount of six PFAS in drinking water, but the fate of those rules under the Trump administration remains unclear. If the EPA rolls back its standards, a patchwork of protections in the U.S. will remain.
Eleven states have adopted PFAS limits, all weaker than the agency’s rule. But most states have no limits. Smaller systems in other states are also less likely to have conducted PFAS testing.
A key mandate of the EPA’s new rule is its requirement that utilities monitor, record and report on the levels of the six regulated PFAS. That’s why it’s crucial to protect these standards, so all communities know exactly what’s in their tap water.
Discover reported PFAS in your tap water
If you’re concerned about PFAS in the drinking water supplied to your home or others in the neighborhood, EWG’s Tap Water Database is a great place to start. You can search by ZIP code to find reports from water utilities about contaminants they’ve detected.
EWG’s interactive PFAS map is another helpful resource to see where these chemicals contaminate drinking water. Many locations exceed the EPA’s 2024 standards of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most notorious and well-studied PFAS.
People who get their tap water from utilities that publicly report contamination data don’t need to also pursue often expensive at-home tests of their water.
Private wells might require home testing
But if you get drinking water from a private well, rather than a public system, you may want to test your water to find out exactly what’s in it.
Start by using the Tap Water Database to look up nearby water utilities to learn what they report for PFAS and other contaminants in drinking water. This might suggest your well water could have similar pollutants, although the levels could vary.
Mail-in test kits allow you to collect a water sample and send it to a certified lab for detailed analysis. Different tests are available for a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, PFAS and industrial chemicals. While they can be very expensive – ranging from $195 to $1,000, depending on the scope – they provide accurate, lab-certified results.
You may have specific concerns about high levels of PFAS in your tap water, such as living near an industrial site, an airport or military base known to have used firefighting foam made with PFAS. Or you may need tap water test results for real estate transactions. If so, you can contact a state-certified lab for professional analysis.
Some counties may offer free or discounted tests, so check with local authorities first. State-certified labs offer detailed, accurate tests and can customize them according to local risks. You may need professional help for sample collection.
What to do if PFAS lurk in your drinking water
Water filters can help reduce levels of forever chemicals in tap water. Options range from cheaper countertop pitchers to whole-house systems, although the latter can have very high costs and in most cases aren’t needed.
EWG’s Tap Water Database includes water filter recommendations tailored for your location. For example, if you’re one of the 1.3 million-plus people getting their water from the Dallas Water Utility, detections show PFOA at 2.6 times EWG’s health guideline and PFOS at 18 times the guideline. Whether you test for other forever chemicals in your tap water too, finding the right filter is simple with EWG’s database.
Each water utility results page, including Dallas’, includes a “Find a Filter” section that details filter options tailored to a ZIP code’s unique needs. In Dallas, this means a carbon filter may be a good choice to reduce levels of PFAS and other common contaminants, with a lower upfront cost and less maintenance. Reverse osmosis systems are highly effective, though typically more expensive and complex to maintain.
If forever chemicals are in your tap water, or if you suspect contamination, you can also use EWG’s Water Filter Buying Guide to find a carbon-based or RO filter to reduce PFAS.
The bad news is that PFAS contamination of drinking water is a pervasive problem from coast to coast. The good news is you have the tools to understand your exposure and take steps to help lower the amount of forever chemicals in the water you drink.
Defending the EPA’s drinking water standards is the best way to protect all communities from this pollution.
May 2025