PFAS in Drinking Water: A Complete Guide to Forever Chemicals

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic "forever chemicals" found in the drinking water of over 200 million Americans. They never break down in the environment or the human body, and the EPA set its first legally binding limits at just 4 parts per trillion in 2024 -- but municipal water systems have until 2029 to comply. The only way to remove PFAS from your home's water now is with a certified filtration system using reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, or ion exchange technology.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of more than 14,000 synthetic chemicals that do not break down in the environment. They're known as "forever chemicals" because they can persist in water, soil, and your body for decades. Recent studies estimate that the drinking water of more than 200 million people in the United States contains detectable levels of PFAS.

What Exactly Are PFAS

PFAS were created in the 1940s to manufacture products resistant to water, heat, and stains. Their molecular structure includes carbon-fluorine bonds that are extremely difficult to break, both in nature and inside the human body.

These chemicals are found in products you probably use every day:

• Nonstick cookware (Teflon and similar coatings)
• Fast food packaging and pizza boxes
• Waterproof clothing and stain-repellent fabrics
• Firefighting foams (AFFF) used at military bases and airports
• Cosmetics and personal care products
• Carpets and upholstery with stain-resistant treatments

The problem isn't just that they're in these products. The problem is that they leach into the soil, reach groundwater sources, and end up coming out of your faucet.

Why They're Called "Forever Chemicals"

Unlike other contaminants that break down over time, PFAS have a half-life in the human body of 2 to 8 years, depending on the specific type. In the environment, they simply don't break down. A PFAS chemical that was dumped into a river in 1970 is probably still there today.

This means exposure is cumulative. Every glass of water with PFAS that you drink adds to what's already in your body. There is no efficient natural mechanism to eliminate them.

Health Risks: What the Science Says

Research on the health effects of PFAS has grown enormously in recent years. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and multiple health institutions have linked PFAS exposure to:

Cancer

Epidemiological studies have found significant associations between PFAS exposure and several types of cancer:

• Kidney cancer: increased risk documented in exposed workers and contaminated communities
• Testicular cancer: consistent association across multiple studies
• Thyroid cancer: growing evidence of a link
• Breast cancer: recent research suggests a possible connection

In 2024, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA, one of the most common PFAS, as a carcinogen to humans (Group 1).

Hormonal Disruption

PFAS act as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the hormonal system:

• Thyroid: they can reduce thyroid hormone levels, affecting metabolism and brain development in children
• Fertility: studies show reduced fertility in both men and women
• Fetal development: exposure during pregnancy has been associated with low birth weight

Immune System

PFAS exposure can weaken the immune response:

• Reduced vaccine response in exposed children
• Greater susceptibility to infections
• Possible link to autoimmune diseases

Other Documented Effects

• Increased LDL cholesterol
• Liver damage
• High blood pressure during pregnancy (preeclampsia)
• Developmental issues in children

Where the PFAS in Your Water Come From

PFAS reach drinking water through several routes:

Military bases and airports: for decades, firefighting foams containing PFAS were used in drills and emergencies. These chemicals seeped into the soil and contaminated nearby aquifers.

Industrial facilities: chemical, textile, and semiconductor factories discharged PFAS directly or through wastewater.

Landfills: discarded products containing PFAS slowly release these chemicals as they partially decompose.

Biosolid application: wastewater sludge used as fertilizer can contain PFAS that leach into groundwater.

Water treatment plants: ironically, conventional municipal water treatment plants do not remove PFAS. Standard chlorination and basic filtration methods are not effective against these chemicals.

Most Affected Cities and States

According to data from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the EPA, PFAS contamination is not evenly distributed across the country. Some areas are significantly more affected:

Michigan

Michigan has more PFAS-contaminated sites than any other state. The combination of military bases, manufacturing, and extensive use of firefighting foams has left a legacy of contamination in cities like Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids. The state has detected PFAS in more than 200 water sources.

New Jersey

New Jersey was one of the first states to establish strict limits for PFAS in drinking water. Cities like Paulsboro, Camden, and areas near Fort Dix military base have concerning levels. The state has identified more than 80 sites with confirmed contamination.

Maryland

With its proximity to military installations and industrial zones, Maryland faces significant contamination, especially in areas near Joint Base Andrews and the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Other States with High Contamination

Delaware, Pennsylvania (especially the Philadelphia area), Indiana, and Colorado (particularly the Denver area) also report elevated PFAS levels in their water sources.

The New EPA Limits

In April 2024, the EPA established legally binding limits for PFAS in drinking water for the first time:

• PFOA: 4 parts per trillion (ppt)
• PFOS: 4 parts per trillion (ppt)
• PFAS mixtures: combined risk assessment

These limits are extremely low, which reflects the seriousness of the problem. To put it in perspective, 4 parts per trillion is equivalent to 4 drops of water in 20 Olympic swimming pools.

However, municipal water systems have until 2029 to comply with these standards. That means for the next several years, millions of families will continue drinking water with PFAS levels the EPA already considers unsafe.

How to Remove PFAS from Your Water

Not all filtration methods are effective against PFAS. Here's what works and what doesn't:

What Does NOT Work

• Boiling water: concentrates PFAS instead of removing them
• Basic pitcher filters: most are not certified for PFAS removal
• Chlorination: standard municipal treatments do not affect PFAS
• Simple distillation: partially effective but impractical for daily household use

What DOES Work

• Granular activated carbon (GAC): effective for some types of PFAS, especially long-chain varieties
• Reverse osmosis: highly effective, removes up to 90-99% of PFAS
• Ion exchange: very effective for both short-chain and long-chain PFAS
• Whole-house filtration system: the most complete solution because it protects every point of use, from the water you drink to the water you bathe and cook with

A point-of-entry purification system combines multiple filtration technologies to capture PFAS and other contaminants before the water reaches any faucet in your home.

How to Find Out If There Are PFAS in Your Water

The only way to confirm whether your water contains PFAS is through a professional test. PFAS are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. You cannot detect them with your senses.

You can start by reviewing your municipality's annual water quality report, but keep in mind that many systems still don't test for all types of PFAS.

Protect Your Family Today

You don't have to wait for your municipality to meet the new standards by 2029. You can take action now.

If you live in Michigan, visit our Michiana service page. If you're in New Jersey, check out our New Jersey options. For any other area, browse all of our service territories.

Have more questions about PFAS or your water quality? Visit our frequently asked questions section where we answer the most common concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you remove PFAS from drinking water by boiling it?

No. Boiling water does not remove PFAS -- it actually concentrates them by evaporating some of the water volume. Standard chlorination and basic pitcher filters are also ineffective. The proven methods for PFAS removal are reverse osmosis, granular activated carbon, and ion exchange filtration systems.

How do PFAS get into drinking water?

PFAS enter drinking water primarily through contamination from military bases that used firefighting foams (AFFF), industrial facilities that manufactured or used PFAS chemicals, landfills where PFAS-containing products were disposed, and agricultural biosolids. Once in the soil, PFAS leach into groundwater and eventually reach municipal water sources.

What states have the worst PFAS contamination?

Michigan has more PFAS-contaminated sites than any other state, with over 200 confirmed locations. New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Colorado also report significant PFAS levels. Areas near military bases and industrial zones tend to have the highest concentrations.

Are PFAS linked to cancer?

Yes. In 2024, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified PFOA, one of the most common PFAS, as a Group 1 confirmed human carcinogen. Studies have found significant associations between PFAS exposure and kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid cancer, and breast cancer.

When will municipal water systems be required to remove PFAS?

The EPA established legally binding PFAS limits in April 2024, but municipal water systems have until 2029 to comply. That means millions of families will continue drinking water with PFAS levels the EPA already considers unsafe for several more years. A home filtration system is the only way to protect your family right now.

Request your free water test and find out exactly what contaminants are in your home's water. A specialist will test your water at home, at no cost and with no obligation.