PFAS ("forever chemicals")
PFOA in U.S. tap water
145 public water systems across 31 U.S. states report PFOA in their annual Consumer Confidence Report. 45 sit at or above the federal limit.
145
systems measuring
45
over the limit
31
states represented
What it is
Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products.
Why it's regulated
Linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
Federal limit1.8 · MCL
At or above the federal limit (45)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston, SC 2024 annual report | 5.3 ng/L | 1325.0× the limit |
| North Charleston, SC 2024 annual report | 5.3 ng/L | 1325.0× the limit |
| Saint Paul, MN 2024 annual report | 0–2.8 | 354.4× the limit |
| Columbus, GA 2024 annual report | 4.2–33.9 | 8.5× the limit |
| City of Hialeah, FL 2023 annual report | 16–16 ng/L | 4.0× the limit |
| City of Homestead, FL 2023 annual report | 16–16 ng/L | 4.0× the limit |
| City of North Miami Beach, FL 2023 annual report | 16–16 ng/L | 4.0× the limit |
| Miami Dade, FL 2023 annual report | 16–16 ng/L | 4.0× the limit |
| Jersey City, NJ 2024 annual report | 7.3 ng/L | 3.6× the limit |
| Glendale, CA 2024 annual report | 13 ng/L | 3.3× the limit |
| Vancouver, WA 2024 annual report | 0–12.5 | 3.1× the limit |
| Burbank, CA 2024 annual report | 0–11 ng/L | 2.8× the limit |
| Chula Vista Sweetwater, CA 2024 annual report | 0–9.4 ng/L | 2.4× the limit |
| Ansonia, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Bethany, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Branford, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Cheshire, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Derby, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| East Haven, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Hamden, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Milford, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| New Haven, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| North Haven, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Orange, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Seymour, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| West Haven, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Woodbridge, CT 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.8× the limit |
| Gilbert, AZ 2024 annual report | 7 | 1.8× the limit |
| City of Hampton, VA 2024 annual report | 2.1–3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| City of Newport News, VA 2025 annual report | 3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2025 annual report | 3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| City of Poquoson, VA 2024 annual report | 3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| Hampton, VA 2025 annual report | 2.1–3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| James City County, VA 2025 annual report | 3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| James City County, VA 2024 annual report | 2.1–3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| Newport News, VA 2024 annual report | 2.1–3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| York County, VA 2024 annual report | 2.1–3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| York County, VA 2025 annual report | 2.1–3.3 ng/L | 1.6× the limit |
| Pomona, CA 2024 annual report | 0–7.1 ng/L | 1.4× the limit |
| Boonsboro Keedysville, MD 2024 annual report | 5.1 ng/L | 1.3× the limit |
| Tempe, AZ 2024 annual report | 0.005 ug/L | 1.3× the limit |
| Lakewood, NJ 2025 annual report | 4.3 | 1.1× the limit |
| Centennial, CO 2023 annual report | 4.09 ng/L | 1.0× the limit |
| Fullerton, CA 2024 annual report | 5.2 ng/L | 1.0× the limit |
| Goodyear, AZ 2024 annual report | 4 ng/L | 1.0× the limit |
Approaching the limit (8)
| Water system | Measured | vs. limit |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clarita, CA 2024 annual report | 0.0045 ug/L | 0.9× the limit |
| Raleigh, NC 2024 annual report | 3.35 | 0.8× the limit |
| Town of Garner, NC 2024 annual report | 3.35 | 0.8× the limit |
| Town of Knightdale, NC 2024 annual report | 3.35 | 0.8× the limit |
| Town of Rolesville, NC 2024 annual report | 3.35 | 0.8× the limit |
| Town of Wake Forest, NC 2024 annual report | 3.35 | 0.8× the limit |
| Town of Wendell, NC 2024 annual report | 3.35 | 0.8× the limit |
| Town of Zebulon, NC 2024 annual report | 3.35 | 0.8× the limit |
Within the federal limit (59)
| Water system | Measured |
|---|---|
| Washington Dc, DC 2023 annual report | 1.5 |
| West Covina, CA 2024 annual report | 4 ng/L |
| Lynn, MA 2024 annual report | 3 ng/L |
| Birmingham, AL 2024 annual report | 0.0021–0.0025 |
| City of Baltimore, MD 2024 annual report | 2.17 |
| Manchester, NH 2024 annual report | 5.59–6.51 ng/L |
| Rockville, MD 2024 annual report | 2.07 |
| Elizabeth, NJ 2024 annual report | 7 ng/L |
| Sterling Heights, MI 2025 annual report | 2 ng/L |
| Warren, MI 2024 annual report | 2 ng/L |
| Louisville, KY 2024 annual report | 1.9 |
| Yonkers, NY 2024 annual report | 1.9 ng/L |
| Santa Ana, CA 2024 annual report | 2.4 ng/L |
| Allentown, PA 2024 annual report | 6.08 ng/L |
| Cary, NC 2025 annual report | 1.3 |
| Bridgeport, CT 2024 annual report | 4 ng/L |
| Brown Deer, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Butler, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Franklin, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Greendale, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Greenfield, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Hales Corners, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Menomonee Falls, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Mequon, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Milwaukee, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| New Berlin, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Shorewood, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| St. Francis, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Thiensville, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Waukesha, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Wauwatosa, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| West Allis, WI 2024 annual report | 2.2 ng/L |
| Green Bay, WI 2024 annual report | 2 ng/L |
| Colorado Springs, CO 2024 annual report | 1.8–1.9 ng/L |
| Stamford, CT 2024 annual report | 1 ng/L |
| Georgetown, TX 2024 annual report | 0.2 ng/L |
| Albuquerque, NM 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Anchorage, AK 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Bakersfield, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Calvert Manor, MD 2024 annual report | Not detected |
| Chandler, AZ 2024 annual report | 0 ng/L |
| Chico, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Dearborn, MI 2024 annual report | Not detected ug/L |
| El Cajon, CA 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Freedom District, MD 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Glendale, AZ 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Grand Rapids, MI 2025 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Inglewood, CA 2023 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Lubbock, TX 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
| Madison, WI 2024 annual report | Not detected ng/L |
Showing 50 of 59. The full list is in the JSON API.
Frequently asked
+What is PFOA?
Perfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. Linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune effects; the EPA set an enforceable limit of 4 parts per trillion.
+What is the federal limit for PFOA in drinking water?
The federal MCL for PFOA is 1.8 . 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 PFOA over the federal limit?
45 of the 145 public water systems on The Water Map report PFOA at or above its federal limit, spanning 31 U.S. states. The full list is on this page.
+How can I check if PFOA 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 PFOA.