What You Need to Know About PFAS
PFAS Guide · Forever Chemicals in Tap Water
What you need to know about PFAS in drinking water
PFAS are man-made “forever chemicals” found in tap water across the U.S. Learn what they are, why they matter, how to check your water, and which filtration options reduce PFAS at home.
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The basics
What are PFAS?
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large family of man-made chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s. They show up in non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain- and water-repellent fabrics and carpets, and firefighting foams.
Two of the most studied PFAS are PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid). Others you may see on a water report include PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS and HFPO-DA, often called GenX.
Why they're called “forever chemicals”
They don't break down
PFAS have very strong carbon–fluorine bonds, so they resist natural breakdown. They persist in soil and groundwater, move into drinking water sources, and can build up in the human body over time.
A USGS tap water study released in July 2023 estimated that at least 45% of the nation's tap water could contain one or more types of PFAS.
Map Shows U.S. Drinking Water Contaminated With “Forever Chemicals”
Final EPA UCMR 5 monitoring data (2023–2025) identified more than 1,700 U.S. public water systems with at least one PFOA or PFOS reading at or above the 4.0 ppt federal threshold.
Read the Newsweek article & watch the video →Why it matters
Why are PFAS a health concern?
Because PFAS accumulate, long-term exposure, even at low levels, is the main concern. Studies reviewed by the U.S. EPA link exposure to certain PFAS with a range of health effects.
This guide is educational and is not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about personal health questions.
- Increased risk of some cancers, including kidney, testicular and prostate cancer
- Decreased fertility and other reproductive effects
- Developmental effects or delays in children, including low birth weight
- Elevated cholesterol
- Interference with the body's natural hormones
- Reduced immune response, including to vaccines
Sources of exposure
How can you or your family be exposed?
People are exposed to PFAS in several ways. Drinking water is one of the most direct, and it's the one you can control at home with the right filtration.
Drinking water
Public water and private wells near industrial sites, landfills, airports, military bases or fire training areas are at higher risk.
Food & packaging
Grease-resistant food packaging, some non-stick cookware, and food grown or raised in contaminated soil or water.
Household products
Stain- and water-resistant carpets, upholstery and clothing, plus some cleaning and personal care products.
Know your water
Does your drinking water contain PFAS?
The only way to know for sure is to test. Start with what's already published for your area, then test directly if you're on a private well or want a definitive answer.
Search your ZIP code- Search your ZIP code with our water quality report tool to see reported contaminants for your local utility.
- Read your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report. Public systems must begin sharing PFAS results with customers in 2027.
- Use a state-certified laboratory for private wells, or if you live near a known PFAS source. Your state drinking water program can point you to certified labs.
Regulations
Current EPA limits for PFAS in drinking water
In April 2024, EPA finalized the first national, legally enforceable drinking water limits for PFAS, with public water systems required to comply by April 2029 (EPA). In May 2026, EPA proposed changes that are still pending (EPA news release).
| PFAS compound | 2024 EPA limit (MCL) | May 2026 proposal |
|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 4.0 ppt | Keep limit · optional extension to 2031 |
| PFOS | 4.0 ppt | Keep limit · optional extension to 2031 |
| PFHxS | 10 ppt | Proposed rescission |
| PFNA | 10 ppt | Proposed rescission |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 10 ppt | Proposed rescission |
| Mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, GenX & PFBS | Hazard Index of 1 | Proposed rescission |
ppt = parts per trillion. Status reflects EPA's published materials as of October 2026; the May 2026 proposals were not final. Some states set their own PFAS limits. Private wells aren't covered by federal drinking water rules.
Treatment options
If PFAS are in your water, what can you do?
Activated carbon, ion exchange and reverse osmosis (RO) can all reduce PFAS. Boiling does not, and can concentrate them. How well each one works depends on which PFAS are present, how much, and what else is in your water. The next decision is where to treat it.
One faucet
Treats water at a single tap, such as an under-sink filter, RO unit or refrigerator dispenser.
- Lower upfront cost
- Covers drinking and cooking water at that tap only
- Showers, bath water and other taps stay untreated
Every tap in the home
Treats all water where it enters the home, before it reaches any faucet, shower or appliance.
- Filtered water at every faucet, shower and appliance
- No need to remember which tap is safe to drink from
- Sized to your home's flow rate and water quality
Buying with confidence
What does it mean when a filter is “certified”?
Product certification is a multi-step, third-party process that tests a product against industry standards for performance, material safety and structural integrity, then verifies that the label claims are accurate. Certified products are retested periodically and their factories are inspected.
- Look for NSF/ANSI 53 (filters such as activated carbon) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) with a specific PFOA, PFOS or Total PFAS reduction claim (EPA).
- Confirm the exact model in the certifier's online listing, not just the brand name.
- Current certification tests to a combined PFAS level below 20 ppt, which is higher than EPA's 4.0 ppt limits for PFOA and PFOS (NSF).
Your next steps
Reduce PFAS in your home in three steps
Check your water
Search your ZIP code or review a lab report to see which PFAS are present and at what levels.
Choose POU or whole house
Decide whether you need one drinking-water tap treated or every faucet and shower in the home.
Install with a pro
Use a licensed Tradewinds installation partner near you, or talk to our water specialists first.
FAQ
PFAS frequently asked questions
What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of man-made chemicals used since the 1940s in non-stick cookware, food packaging, stain- and water-repellent products and firefighting foams. They're called “forever chemicals” because they break down extremely slowly and can build up in the environment and the body.
Does boiling water remove PFAS?
No. Boiling doesn't remove PFAS and can concentrate them as water evaporates. You need treatment such as activated carbon, ion exchange or reverse osmosis.
What is the EPA limit for PFAS in drinking water?
EPA's April 2024 rule set enforceable limits of 4.0 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS, with compliance due by April 2029. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping those limits, letting qualifying systems request an extension to 2031, and rescinding the limits for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX and the hazard index mixture. Those proposals weren't final as of October 2026.
How do I know if my tap water has PFAS?
Check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report and EPA monitoring data, or search your ZIP code. For a private well or a definitive answer, test with a state-certified laboratory.
Should I filter PFAS at the kitchen sink or for the whole house?
A point-of-use filter treats one tap and is a good minimum for drinking and cooking water. A point-of-entry whole-house system treats all water entering the home, so every faucet, shower and appliance gets filtered water.
What certification should a PFAS filter have?
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 (filters such as activated carbon) or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) with a specific PFOA, PFOS or Total PFAS reduction claim, then confirm the exact model in the certifier's online listing.
Talk to a water specialist
Not sure which PFAS solution fits your home?
Share your water report or ZIP code and we'll help you choose between point-of-use and whole-house PFAS filtration. Call (307) 200-9026, text (307) 200-9840, or email info@tradewindswater.com.
Schedule a call or video meeting Contact Tradewinds WaterSources
- U.S. EPA: PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
- U.S. EPA: May 2026 proposed PFAS drinking water rules
- U.S. EPA: Reducing PFAS in your drinking water with a home filter
- NSF: Forever chemicals and the advancement of filtration standards
- USGS: Tap water study detects PFAS across the U.S. (July 2023)
- Newsweek: Map shows U.S. drinking water contaminated with “forever chemicals” (October 2026 article & video)