PFOA in drinking water
Also called perfluorooctanoic acid, C8.
A 'forever chemical' once used to make Teflon and stain-resistant coatings. It barely breaks down and builds up in the body.
Health: EPA's 2024 rule set the health goal at zero: EPA considers PFOA a likely human carcinogen. Linked to kidney and testicular cancer, high cholesterol, and lower vaccine response in children.
Water systems must meet the PFAS limits by 2029 (EPA has proposed moving this to 2031). Until then, a result above the limit is not a violation.
Across the US
Those 755 systems serve about 38.1 million people.
From EPA's UCMR 5 testing, 2023–2025: every community system serving 3,300+ people and a sample of smaller ones.
Highest results
All 755 utilities on this site above the PFOA limit, by state
Alaska: Anchorage Water & Wastewater Utility
Alabama: City of Florence Water Department, Auburn Water Works Board, City of Fairhope, Opelika Water Works Board, Harvest-Monrovia Water, Sewer & Fire Protection, Inc., Northeast Alabama Water Sewer and Fire Protection District, Prattville Water Works Board, Gadsden Water Works & Sewer Board, City of Alabaster Water Department, Shelby County Commission-Water Services, City of Pelham, Smiths Water & Sewer Authority, Albertville Municipal Utilities Board, Muscle Shoals Utility Board, City of Pell City, West Lauderdale County, Water & Fire Protection Authority, Boaz Water & Sewer Board, Loachapoka Water Authority, Sheffield Utilities, City of Sheffield, Clanton Water Works & Sewer Board, Colbert County Rural Water System, Holtville Water System, Southside Water Works and Sewer Board, Tri Community Water System, Grand Bay Water Works Board, Beulah Utilities District, Wetumpka Water Works & Sewer Board, Marbury Water System, Inc., Greenhill Water & Fire Protection Authority, City of Weaver, West Etowah Water & Fire Protection Authority, Thomasville Water Works & Sewer Board, Wilcox County Water and Sewer District, Rogersville Water Works & Sewer Board, Spring Valley Water Authority, Millbrook Utilities, Grove Hill Water Works, South Marengo County Water & Fire Protection Authority, Northeast Etowah County Water Company – Op, Highland Water Authority, Collinsville Water Works, Ardmore Water System, Littleville Water Works, Sterrett-Vandiver Water System, Inc., Town of Pine Hill
Arizona: City of Tempe, City of Avondale, Liberty Water Lpsco, Goodyear Water Department, City of Prescott, Liberty Water Rio Rico, Town of Payson, Flowing Wells Irrigation District, US Army Fort Huachuca Water System, Marana Municipal – Marana, Arizona Water Company – Sedona, EPCOR – San Tan Anthem, Arizona Water Company – Bisbee, USAF Luke Air Force Base, Big Park Water Company
California: City of Fresno, City of Sacramento Main, City of Anaheim, City of Santa Ana, Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, California Water Service – Bakersfield, City of Modesto, City of Glendale Water Dept., SCWA – Laguna/Vineyard, Ontario Municipal Utilities Company, Sweetwater Authority, City of Garden Grove, City of Pomona Water Dept., Rancho California Water District, City of Fullerton, City of Clovis, California American Water – Monterey, City of Orange, Golden State Water Company – West Orange County, City of Downey Water Dept., East Valley Water District, Hesperia Water District, City of Redding, City of South Gate Water Dept., City of Manteca, City of Pleasanton, Liberty Utilities – Bellflower-Norwalk, City of Lynwood Water Dept., Suburban Water Systems-Whittier, City of Watsonville, City of Porterville, City of Gilroy, Suburban Water Systems-la Mirada, California American Water – Suburban Rosemont, City of Ceres, Golden State Water Company – Placentia/Yorba Linda, Golden State Water Company – Claremont, City of Pico Rivera Water Dept., Atascadero Mutual Water Company, City of Paso Robles Water Division, South Tahoe Public Utility District – Main, City of Atwater, Crescenta Valley County Water District, Golden State Water Company – South Arcadia, Montebello Land & Water Company, City of Sanger, Sunnyslope County Water District, City of Norco, Orchard Dale Water District, Liberty Utilities – Lynwood, Valley of the Moon Water District, Pico Water District, City of Norwalk Water Dept., City of Santa Fe Springs Water Dept., Riverside Highland Water Company, Western Municipal Water District – Murrieta Division, Pinedale County Water District, City of Ripon, City of Huntington Park Water Dept., South Montebello Irrigation District, Pala North Water System, Tract 180 Mutual Water Company, City of Lindsay, City of Bell Gardens, City of Sonoma, Golden Hills Community Services District, Tract 349 Mutual Water Company, Florin County Water District, Los Osos Community Services District, Lake Arrowhead Community Services District, Peter Pitchess Honor Rancho Detention Center Water System, Nuevo Water Company, Rubio Canon Land & Water Association, Helendale Community Service District, Maywood Mutual Water Company #3, Bellflower Municipal Water System, La Habra Heights County Water District, Pleasant Valley Mutual Water Company, Yosemite Spring Park Utilities Company, Running Springs Water District, California American Water – Arden, San Joaquin County – Mokelumne Acres, City of Commerce Water Dept., California State University Fresno Water System
Colorado: Widefield Water & Sanitation District
Connecticut: Regional Water Authority, Connecticut Water Company – Northern Region – Western System, Danbury Water Department, Aquarion-Greenwich, Bristol Water Department, Manchester Water Department, Southington Water Department, Norwalk First Taxing District, Norwich Public Utilities, Connecticut Water Company – Shoreline Region-Guilford System, Mashantucket Pequot Water System, Hazardville Water Company, Aquarion-Plainville Regional, East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission, Connecticut Water Company – Unionville System, Aquarion-New Milford Regional, Aquarion-Valley, Avon Water Company, Bethel Water Dept, Aquarion-Ridgefield, Putnam Water Pollution Control Authority, Connecticut Water Company – Crystal System, Connecticut Water Company – Naugatuck Region – Collinsville System, Aquarion-Newtown Regional, Aquarion-Woodrich Village
Delaware: Artesian Water Company, Wilmington Water Department, Veolia Water Delaware, Inc, Newark Water Department, Dewey Beach Water Department, Rehoboth Beach Water Department, Smyrna Water Department, Georgetown Water Department
Florida: MDWASA – Main System, Palm Beach County Water Utilities, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority (ECUA), City of Hialeah, City of Pembroke Pines, North Miami Beach Water System, City of Hollywood, City of Palm Bay, Boynton Beach Public Water System, City of North Miami, Winter Haven Water Department, Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority J. Robert Dean W.T.P., Deltona Water, Sunrise Springtree Water System, BCWWS 1A, Winter Garden Water Dept, City of Ocala, City of Coral Springs, City of Tamarac (WEST), City of Margate, Northeast Water System, City of Lauderhill, BCWWS 2A, West Side Consolidated Water System, City of Coconut Creek, City of Deland, University of South Florida Water System, City of Riviera Beach Utility District, MDWASA/Rex Utilities, East Side Consolidated Water System, City of Winter Springs, City of Ocoee, BCWWS 3B/C, Village of Palm Springs, City of Temple Terrace Utility, City of Dania Beach, City of Zephyrhills, Tarpon Springs Water System, South Martin Regional Utilities, City of Wildwood, Little Sumter Utilities, Peoples Water Service Company, Lake Utility Services Inc North, Nas Pensacola / Corry Station Water System, Midway Water System, Inc., Minneola Water Department, Volusia County – Southwest Water System, City of Lake Wales, Villages of Lake-Sumter – Water Treatment Plants 1, 3, ; 5, BCWWS 3A, Orange City Utilities, Lantana Water Treatment Plant, Sunrise Southwest Water System, City of West Miami, City of North Bay Village, Mims Water Treatment / North Brevard County, City of Port Richey Water Dept, Hudson Water Works, Gonzalez Utilities Association, Inc., Orangewood Water System, Lake Panasoffkee Water Association, Royal Waterworks, Inc, Chase Groves Water System, Bal Harbour Village Water System, City of Atlantis, City of Tamarac (EAST), Ocala Heights S/D Water System, Volusia County – Enterprise
Georgia: Clayton County Water Authority, Columbus Water System, Augusta-Richmond County Water System, Dalton Utilities, Calhoun Water System, Floyd County Water System, Rome Water System, Spalding County Water System, Walker County Water Authority, Chatsworth Water System, Harris County Water System, Woodstock Water System, Lafayette Water System, Centerville Water System, Effingham County Surface Water System, Port Wentworth Water System, Savannah-I & D Water System, Gray Water System, Chattooga County Water System, Senoia Water System, Chickamauga Water System
Guam: Guam Waterworks Authority – Northern Water System
Illinois: North Park Public Water District, Galesburg Water System, Collinsville Water System, South Elgin Water System, Crest Hill Water System, Illinois American Water – Lincoln, Illinois American Water – Whispering Hills, East Alton Water System, Abingdon Water System
Indiana: South Bend Water Works, Ramsey Water Company, Inc., Brown County Water Utility, Indiana American Water – Charlestown, Marysville Otisco Nabb Water Corp.
Kansas: Frusi Water Treatment Plant
Kentucky: Daviess County Water District, Corbin Utilities Commission, Whitley County Water District, Whitesville Water Works, North McLean County Water District
Louisiana: Town of Vidalia Water System
Massachusetts: Peabody Water Dept., Centerville Osterville Marstons Mills Water District, Dedham Westwood Water District, Woburn Water Dept., Braintree Water and Sewer Dept., Natick Water and Sewer Division, Randolph Water Department, Marshfield Water Department, Franklin Water Department, Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works, Needham Water Dept, North Attleboro Water Dept, Milford Water Department, Wellesley Water Division, Stoughton Water Department, Chelmsford Water District, Bridgewater Water Department, Wakefield Water Dept, Dracut Water Supply District, Easton Water Division, Canton Water Dept, Acton Water Supply District, Scituate Water Division, Norton Water Department, Concord Water Dept, Foxboro Water Department, Sudbury Water District, Holden Water Division, Dept. of Public Works, Sharon Water Dept, Duxbury Water Department, Middleborough Water Supply, Holliston Water Department, Hanover Water Dept, East Bridgewater Water Dept, Medway Water Department, Wayland Water Department, Ipswich DPU Water Dept, Medfield Water Dept., Hopkinton Water Department, Auburn Water District, Norwell Water Department, Holbrook Public Works Dept, Aquarion Water Company, Millbury, Raynham Center Water District, Grafton Water District, Maynard DPW, Water Division, Hanson Water Department, Pepperell Dept. of Public Works Water Division, Millis Water Dept, Lynnfield Center Water District, Hamilton Water Dept, Norfolk Water Division, Halifax Water Department, Cohasset Water Dept, Merrimac Water Department, Groveland Water Department, Rowley Water Department, Templeton Municipal. Light and Water Plant, Hopedale Water Department, Lincoln Water Dept, Topsfield Water Department, Manchester-by-the-Sea Dept. of Public Works, Town of Avon, Shirley Water District, Wenham Water Dept., Boylston Water District, Haystack Estates Water System
Maryland: City of Westminster, City of Aberdeen, Town of Elkton, Maryland American Water, Town of Mount Airy, City of Taneytown, Town of Hampstead, Town of Thurmont, Town of Poolesville, Town of Middletown, Town of Manchester, Boonsboro – Keedysville Water System
Maine: Sanford Water District, Yarmouth Water District
Michigan: Independence Township Water System, Dundee Water System, Fremont Water System
Minnesota: Brooklyn Park Water System, Woodbury Water System, Hastings Water System, Sauk Rapids Water System, Lake Elmo Water System, Waite Park Water System, Newport Water System
Missouri: St Peters Public Water System, Ralls County Public Water Supply District 1
Mississippi: City of Oxford, University of Mississippi Water System, City of Corinth, City of Holly Springs
North Carolina: Fayetteville Public Works Commission, Brunswick County Water System, Harnett Regional Water, Johnston County – West, Robeson County Water System, Old North Utilities Services/Ft Bragg, City of Burlington, City of Rocky Mount, Town of Holly Springs, Lincoln County Water Treatment Plant, City of Sanford, City of Goldsboro, Iredell Water Corporation, Johnston County – East, City of Lumberton, City of Mebane, South Granville Water&sewer Authority, City of Graham, Bayleaf Master Water System, City of Lincolnton, North Lenoir Water Corp, Brookwood Community Water System, Cliffdale West Water System, Deep Run Water Corporation, Hoke County Regional – Rockfish, Town of Angier, Flowers Plantation, City of Archdale, City of Dunn, Town of Aberdeen, Town of Spring Lake, East Moore Water District, Orange-Alamance Water System, Eastover Sanitary District, Town of Ocean Isle Beach, Central Nash Water & Sewer, Town of Holden Beach, Town of Nashville, City of Bessemer City, Town of Benson, City of Randleman, Carolina Trace Water System, Fort Bragg Linden Oaks Water System, Town of Grifton, Grassy Pond Water Corporation, Southgate S/D Water System
New Hampshire: Manchester Water Works, Portsmouth Water Works, Salem Water Dept, Hudson Water Dept, Hampstead Area Water, Litchfield Water System, Londonderry Water System, Rye Water District, Jaffrey Water Works
New Jersey: Veolia Water New Jersey Hackensack, New Jersey American Water – Raritan, New Jersey American Water – Coastal North, Passaic Valley Water Commission, Newark Water Department, Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority, New Jersey American Water – Short Hills, Veolia Water New Jersey Toms River, New Jersey American Water – Atlantic County, East Orange Water Commission, Southeast Morris County Municipal Utilities Authority, Ridgewood Water, Franklin Township Dept of Public Works, New Brunswick Water Dept, Perth Amboy Water Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Water Department, Washington Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Merchantville Pennsauken Water System, City of Camden, Gordons Corner Water Company, South Brunswick Township Water Division, Sayreville Water Dept, Winslow Township Dmu Water System, Aqua NJ – Hamilton Square, Vineland Water & Sewer Utility, Monroe Township Utility Department, Fair Lawn Water Dept, Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority, Garfield Water Department, Orange Water Dept, Freehold Township Water Dept, Dover Water Commission, Lakewood Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Livingston Township Division of Water, Burlington Township Water Dept, Mahwah Water Department, Wall Township Water Dept, Glassboro Water Department, Passaic Valley Water Company Lodi Water District, Lyndhurst Water Department, Montville Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Hamilton Township Municipal Utilities Authority, Manchester Township Water Utility – Western, Sparta Township Water Utility – Lake Mohawk, South Orange Water Department, Park Ridge Water Dept, South River Water Dept, Denville Township Water Dept, Madison Water Dept, Pvwc-North Arlington Water System, Ramsey Water Dept, Harrison Water Dept, Rockaway Township Water Dept, Verona Water Department, Pennsville Twsp. Water Depart., Oakland Water Dept, Red Bank Water Dept, Clinton Water Dept, Manchester Utilities Authority, Pompton Lakes Municipal Utilities Authority, East Hanover Township Water Dept, New Jersey American Water – Little Falls, Florence Township Water Dept, Lincoln Park Water Dept, Totowa Water Dept, West Caldwell Water Department, New Jersey American Water – Washington/Oxford, Wanaque Water Dept., Waldwick Water Dept, Keansburg Water & Sewer Dept., East Greenwich Township Water Dept, Boonton Water Dept, Ringwood Water Department, Matawan Borough Water Department, Caldwell Water Dept, Florham Park Water Dept, Manalapan Township – Knob Hill Water System, Aqua NJ – Lawrence, Jefferson Township Water Utility – Lake Hopatcong, Spotswood Water Dept, Borough of Clayton, Mount Olive Township W D Main Water System, Bloomingdale Water Dept, Glen Ridge Water Dept, Butler Water Dept, Fairfield Water Dept, Hopatcong Water Dept, Rockaway Borough Water Dept, Milltown Water Dept, Veolia Water NJ Allendale Water System, New Jersey American Water – ITC, Woodland Park Water Department, North Caldwell Water Department, Westville Water Department, Roxbury Township Water Dept-Shore, Veolia Water New Jersey Franklin Lakes, Borough of Springlake Heights, Avon-by-the-Sea Water Department, Mt Olive Villages Water, Washington Township Municipal Utilities Authority – Schoo, Flemington Water Department, Jefferson Township Water Utility Milton System, Ho-Ho-Kus Water Dept, Mountain Lakes Water Department, Stanhope Water Dept, Washington Township Municipal Utilities Authority – Hager, Netcong Water Dept, High Bridge Water Dept
Nevada: Truckee Meadows Water Authority, City of Elko
New York: Suffolk County Water Authority, Veolia Water New York, Water Authority of Western Nassau, Veolia Water New York, Inc. Rd-2, Manhasset Lakeville Water District, Yorktown Consolidated Water District #1, Glen Cove City Water System, Village of Mineola, Westbury Water District, Garden City Park Water District, Roslyn Water District, Nyack Village Water Supply, Albertson Water District, Suffern Village Water System, Monroe Village Water System, Corning City Water System, Chenango Consolidated Water District #1, Village of Williston Park, Waverly Village Water System, Heritage Hills Water System, Sidney Village Water System, Brinkerhoff Water District, Chester Village Water System, Yeshiva Farm Settlement Water System, Arrow Park Inc. Cws
Ohio: Gallia County Rural Water Association, Springboro Public Water System, Marietta City Public Water System, Wright-Patterson AFB Area B Public Water System, City of Cambridge, Guernsey County Water Dept., Warren Comm Water & Sewer District Association 2, Gallipolis Public Water System, Martins Ferry Public Water System, Leading Creek Conservancy District, Barnesville Water System, Newton Falls City Water System, St. Clairsville, City of Public Water System, Shadyside Public Water System, Caldwell Village Public Water System, Putnam Community Water Association Public Water System, Bethel Village Public Water System
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia Water Department, Aqua Pennsylvania Main System, Pennsylvania American Water – Lake Scranton, City of Lancaster, Reading Area Water Authority, North Penn Water Authority, North Wales Water Authority, Aqua Pennsylvania Bensalem, BCWSA Main Lower South, Pennsylvania American Water – Royersford, Aqua Pennsylvania West Chester, Lehigh County Authority – Wlsa Central Division, Newtown Artesian Water Company, Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority, Aqua Pennsylvania Uwchlan, Pennsylvania American Water – Yardley, Pennsylvania American Water – Penn District, Horsham Water&sewer Authority, Pennsylvania American Water – Glen Alsace Division, Ephrata Area Joint Authority, Muhlenberg Township Municipal Authority, Dover Township Water System, East Hempfield Water Authority, Ambler Borough Water Dept, Pawc Pocono District, Upper Southampton Municipal Authority, Pennsylvania American Water – Berwick, Perkasie Regional Authority, Warwick Township Water & Sewer Authority, Emmaus Borough Public Water, Whitehall Township Authority, Aqua Pennsylvania Hatboro, Quakertown Borough Water System, Gettysburg Municipal Authority, Aqua Pennsylvania Superior Main System, Veolia Middletown, Aqua Pennsylvania Friendship, Doylestown Borough Water Dept, Dtma Main System, New Holland Borough Water System, Collegeville Trappe Joint PWD, Pennsylvania American Water – Audubon, Aqua Pennsylvania Spring Run, Millersville Univ Water System, Veolia Water Bethel, Upper Leacock Township Water System, Telford Borough Authority, Littlestown Borough Water System, Palmerton Municipal Authority, Richland Township Water Authority, Manheim Area Water & Sewer Aut, Veolia Newberry System, Kennett Square Municipal Water Works, East Petersburg Borough Water System, Aqua Pennsylvania Chalfont, Coraopolis Water & Sewer Authority, Beaver Borough Municipal Authority, Hilltown Township Water&sewer Authority, Stewartstown Borough Water Authority, Schwenksville Borough Authority, Aqua Pennsylvania Flying Hills Water Authority System, Buckingham Township Cold Spring Water System, Shrewsbury Borough Water System, Freeland Borough Municipal Water Authority, Caernarvon Township Authority, Aqua Pennsylvania Perkiomen Township, Plumstead Northern System
Puerto Rico: PRASA – Experimental
Rhode Island: Kent County Water Authority, Westerly Water Department, Town of North Kingstown, Town of Cumberland, University of Rhode Island Water System, South Kingstown-South Shore Water System, Kingston Water District
South Carolina: City of Columbia, Charleston Water System, Grand Strand Water & Sewer Authority/Bull Creek, Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, Summerville Commission of Public Works, Greenwood Commission of Public Works, Laurens County Water & Sewer Commission, City of North Myrtle Beach, Gcwsd Waccamaw Neck Water System, Dcwa Knightsville Water System, City of West Columbia, Fort Jackson Water System, Dcws Ashley Phosphate Water System, Lugoff Elgin Water Authority, Gaffney Bpw Water System, St John's Water, City of Camden, City of Cayce, City of Union, BCWSA East Cooper, City of Newberry, Grassy Pond Water Company Inc, City of Georgetown, City of Moncks Corner, City of Clinton, Meansville Riley Water District, Batesburg Leesville Dept. of Public Works, Draytonville Water District, Goucher Water District, City of Folly Beach, Town of Blacksburg, Saluda Commission of Public Works
Tennessee: Fort Campbell Water System, Shelbyville Water System, Tullahoma Utilities Authority, Savannah Valley Utility District, Manchester Water Department, Hillsville Utility District, Camden Water Dept, First Utility District of Hardin County, Parsons Water Department, Clifton Water Dept, North U.dep. of Decatur/Benton County Water System, Wartrace Water System
Texas: City of Fort Worth, City of Abilene, City of Pflugerville, Hawley Water Supply Corporation, Potosi Water Supply Corporation, Dyess Air Force Base Water System, Town of Anthony
Virginia: Fairfax County Water Authority, Prince William Water – East, Dale City Water System, Fort Belvoir Water System, Town of Purcellville, Ncsa – Wintergreen Water System, Town of Round Hill, Bealeton Regional Water System
Washington: City of Vancouver, JBLM Lewis, Parkland Light & Water Company, Town of Coupeville
Wisconsin: La Crosse Waterworks, Weston Municipal Utilities, Hartford Waterworks, Hartland Waterworks, Pewaukee City Water and Sewer Utility, Rhinelander Water & Wastewater, Lake Geneva Utility Commission, Rib Mountain Water Utility, Kewaskum Waterworks, Prescott Waterworks, Tomahawk Waterworks, Schofield Waterworks
West Virginia: Parkersburg Utility Board, Lubeck Public Service District, Union Williams Public Service District, Mineral Wells Public Service District, New Martinsville Water System, Williamstown Water Dept, Pleasants County Public Service District, Pennsboro Water System
States with the most detections
- New Jersey: 144
- California: 122
- Florida: 107
- Massachusetts: 102
- Pennsylvania: 96
- North Carolina: 73
- Alabama: 66
- South Carolina: 58
- New York: 41
- Texas: 40
- Ohio: 37
- Georgia: 34
Sources
The limits, health goals and health effects on this page come from these EPA sources. The results come from EPA's monitoring data for each water system.
- EPA: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) drinking water rule
- EPA: Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5)
- EPA: UCMR occurrence data (the test results)
This page summarizes public regulatory information. It is not medical advice. How we source and check this site.
Questions
What is the safe level of PFOA in drinking water?
The federal legal limit (MCL) is 4 ppt. EPA's health goal (MCLG), the level with no known risk, is zero. Water systems must meet the PFAS limits by 2029 (EPA has proposed moving this to 2031). Until then, a result above the limit is not a violation.
How do I remove PFOA from tap water?
See the filter guidance on this page: look for a product certified for PFOA specifically, and check the claim in NSF's certified product listings.
Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.