PFAS ("forever chemicals")
PFAS in U.S. tap water
24 public water systems across 15 U.S. states report PFAS in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 5 sit at or above the federal limit.
At or above the federal limit (5)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista Sweetwater, CA 2024 annual report | 0–2.6 | 2.6× the limit |
| City of Hialeah, FL 2023 annual report | 1.1–1.3 | 1.3× the limit |
| City of Homestead, FL 2023 annual report | 1.1–1.3 | 1.3× the limit |
| City of North Miami Beach, FL 2023 annual report | 1.1–1.3 | 1.3× the limit |
| Miami Dade, FL 2023 annual report | 1.1–1.3 | 1.3× the limit |
Within the federal limit (14)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Lynn, MA 2024 annual report | 8.4 ng/L |
| Cambridge, MA 2024 annual report | 0–6.93 ng/L |
| Yonkers, NY 2024 annual report | 1.9 ng/L |
| New Bedford, MA 2024 annual report | 3.57 ng/L |
| Brockton, MA 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Anchorage, AK 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Ann Arbor, MI 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Breton Bay, MD 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Fairfield, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Lubbock, TX 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Vallejo, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Ventura, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| West Valley City, UT 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| Yuma, AZ 2025 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
Frequently asked
+What is PFAS?
PFAS is a contaminant some U.S. public water utilities measure and report in their annual Consumer Confidence Report.
+What is the federal limit for PFAS in drinking water?
The federal MCL for PFAS is 1 ng/L. The EPA enforces this against the regulated reporting statistic (typically a running annual average or 90th percentile), not a single-sample spike.
+How many U.S. water systems have PFAS over the federal limit?
5 of the 24 public water systems on The Water Map report PFAS at or above its federal limit, spanning 15 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if PFAS is in my city's tap water?
Search your city on The Water Map (https://www.thewatermap.com/) or browse the list on this page. Every U.S. public water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report that lists every contaminant it measured, including PFAS.