PFAS in Your Drinking Water: How to Test Your Home and What to Do Next
PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — have been detected in water supplies serving hundreds of millions of Americans. Known as 'forever chemicals' because they do not break down naturally, PFAS accumulate in the body over time and have been linked to kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and other serious conditions. If you are concerned about your water supply, here is how to test for PFAS and what to do with the results.
In This Article
What PFAS Levels Are Dangerous
In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever legally enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS, setting a maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS — the two most common and well-studied PFAS compounds. This is the lowest detectable level, reflecting the EPA's conclusion that no safe level of PFOA or PFOS exposure has been established. Many communities have been receiving water with PFAS concentrations hundreds or even thousands of times higher than this new standard.
How to Test Your Drinking Water for PFAS
Home PFAS testing is available through several routes. You can purchase a mail-in testing kit from certified laboratories (cost: $150-$400), hire a licensed environmental consultant, or contact your local water utility — which is now required to test public water systems for PFAS under the EPA's 2024 rules. If you are on a private well, you must arrange your own testing. Look for labs certified by your state's environmental agency and ensure the test covers the full panel of PFAS compounds, not just PFOA and PFOS.
- Mail-in testing kits from certified labs ($150-$400)
- State-certified environmental consultants
- Contacting your public water utility for test results
- Free testing sometimes available through class action attorneys
- State environmental agency programs in heavily impacted areas
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Check Eligibility arrow_forwardWhat to Do If PFAS Are Found in Your Water
If testing reveals PFAS in your water above the EPA standard, do not use it for drinking or cooking without treatment. Point-of-use reverse osmosis filters and activated carbon block filters are effective at reducing PFAS levels. Whole-house filters are available but less effective. Contact your local health department to report the contamination and learn about any available remediation resources. You may also want to get a blood test — PFAS levels in blood can be measured and may support a medical monitoring or legal claim.
Your Legal Options if You Were Exposed
If you have been drinking PFAS-contaminated water and developed a qualifying illness — including kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis — you may have a legal claim against the companies responsible for the contamination. Major defendants include 3M, DuPont, and other PFAS manufacturers who produced these chemicals knowing of their dangers. A free case evaluation with a PFAS attorney can determine whether you qualify based on your water source, exposure period, and medical history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the EPA standard mean my utility has to fix the water now?expand_more
Public water utilities must comply with the EPA's 2024 PFAS standards within five years, meaning by 2029. Until then, PFAS levels above the standard may continue. You can request current testing results from your utility at any time.
Can I sue my water utility for PFAS contamination?expand_more
In most cases, lawsuits target the manufacturers of PFAS chemicals — primarily 3M and DuPont — rather than water utilities. The manufacturers knew of the health risks and continued producing and selling PFAS for decades. Some utilities have been named in lawsuits in specific circumstances, but manufacturers are the primary defendants.
How long does PFAS stay in your body?expand_more
PFAS compounds have biological half-lives ranging from approximately 3.5 years for PFOS to 8 years for PFOA, meaning they take years to leave the body even after exposure stops. Long-term accumulation in the blood is what creates health risks, and past exposures continue to be relevant to health outcomes long after contamination is remediated.
SuperLawsuits Editorial Team
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