PFAS in Drinking Water: What New EPA Data Means for Your Home

New EPA testing is revealing a harder truth about U.S. drinking water: more towns and cities are reporting PFAS—often called forever chemicals—in their systems. Some of the highest readings are showing up in small communities, while large utilities face costly, multi-year treatment projects. If you want to understand what this means for your home (and how to reduce exposure now), this guide covers the essentials and links to a national map where you can look up your water system by address.

What are PFAS and why do they persist?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals used for their resistance to water, oil, and heat. They appear in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, food packaging, textiles, and industrial processes. They do not readily break down and can accumulate in soil, groundwater, and living organisms over time.

Long-term exposure has been associated with higher risks of certain cancers, hormone and thyroid disruption, liver and kidney effects, immune system changes, and developmental concerns. Actual risk depends on the specific compound, concentration, and duration of exposure.

What the latest EPA data shows

Under a nationwide testing program, most public water systems serving 3,300+ customers sampled and reported PFAS results. Recent news analysis of those reports found hundreds of systems with yearly averages above federal limits for two key compounds (PFOA and PFOS). While more large utilities exceed limits in absolute numbers, some small towns reported eye-catching concentrations linked to historic sources like firefighter training foam.

Tip: You can look up reported results near you using an interactive news map. Enter your address and review the nearest water systems’ sampling data.

Search the PFAS map for your water system

How PFAS enters drinking water

Firefighter training foam used at bases, airports, and local training grounds can seep into soil and aquifers.
Industrial discharge, wastewater effluent, and landfill leachate can transport PFAS to surface water or groundwater.
Runoff and atmospheric deposition can carry PFAS into rivers, reservoirs, and recharge areas.

Once PFAS reaches a source water supply, it can migrate with groundwater or surface water and eventually enter public wells or treatment plant intakes.

Why small towns face big cleanup bills

When utilities confirm PFAS above limits, common responses include installing granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment, blending sources, drilling replacement wells, or buying water from neighboring systems. GAC tanks are a leading option for reducing many PFAS compounds, but they require large vessels, engineered piping, and periodic carbon replacement. Even with grants or low-interest loans for construction, ongoing media change-outs can strain small rate bases.

Many communities pursue cost recovery through settlements with manufacturers and suppliers while they pilot, engineer, and build treatment. These projects are multi-year efforts that must be verified with post-installation testing.

What homeowners can do today

Whole-home filtration (point-of-entry): Treats all water entering the house for consistent quality at every tap and shower. Systems using advanced carbon media can reduce many PFAS compounds when properly sized and maintained.
Point-of-use filtration: Under-sink or dedicated drinking water filters focus on cooking and beverages. This is a lower-cost starting point that can be combined with whole-home filtration.
Source awareness: Review your utility’s Consumer Confidence Report and any PFAS sampling summaries. Private well owners should consider a certified lab test.
Verification: Test before and after installation to confirm performance and guide media or cartridge replacement intervals.

Freedom Water Systems solutions

We design whole-home systems to address tough challenges like PFAS while improving taste and protecting plumbing and appliances.

ECO-X Whole-Home Filtration: Multi-stage filtration anchored by advanced media formulations for broad contaminant reduction. See ECO-X
Platinum Systems: Engineered media and high-capacity designs for the broadest range of contaminant reduction and longest service life. Explore Platinum

Every home is different. Share your recent water data and usage so we can right-size a configuration for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do PFAS get into drinking water?

PFAS can migrate from firefighter training sites, industrial discharges, wastewater, and landfills into soil and groundwater. Once in an aquifer or reservoir, they can travel with the water and reach public wells or treatment plant intakes.

Are PFAS dangerous?

Long-term exposure has been linked to higher risks of certain cancers, hormone and thyroid disruption, liver and kidney effects, immune system changes, and developmental concerns. Risk varies by compound, level, and duration.

Do carbon filters remove PFAS?

Yes. High-quality granular activated carbon and advanced carbon blends can reduce many PFAS compounds when the system is correctly sized, flow is managed, and media is replaced on schedule.

What is the difference between whole-home and under-sink PFAS filtration?

Whole-home systems treat all incoming water for consistent quality at every tap and shower. Under-sink systems focus on one location—usually the kitchen—for cooking and drinking water.

How often do filters or media need to be replaced?

It depends on water quality, usage, and system size. Whole-home carbon media can last many months to years. Periodic testing helps determine the right replacement interval.

Will a water softener remove PFAS?

Traditional ion-exchange softeners are designed for hardness minerals, not PFAS. To target PFAS, look for carbon-based or specialized filtration media.

How can I confirm my filtration is working?

Test before and after installation with a certified lab. Compare results to EPA limits and your utility’s reported levels. Keep a schedule for routine testing and media changes.