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Recent tests have detected toxic “forever chemicals” in public drinking water systems that serve at least 151 million people. This represents about half of all Americans who rely on these utilities for clean water supplies.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on February 12 released a new record of water samples collected over the past three years. Many of these detections were for PFAS, which EPA does not currently limit, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or the measurements did not exceed EPA’s 2024 approved limits for two types of PFAS.
However, more than 1,050 water systems reported average PFAS levels that exceeded the EPA’s new limits. Together, these systems can provide drinking water to at least 52 million people, or more than 1 in 7 Americans.
MAP: Where water systems have reported PFAS contamination
Click on a system in the map below to review PFAS measurements. You can also find your nearest water system by entering your address in the search box. If you can’t see the map, click here.
Since World War II, manufacturers have developed thousands of PFAS variants that repel liquids, withstand heat, and make the chemicals harder to destroy. Researchers say that whether a person is exposed through products such as stain-resistant fabrics or non-stick food wrappers, or through contaminated air or water, the chemicals can accumulate in the human body over time and increase the risk of certain cancers.
“There is no level of exposure to these contaminants that is not without risk of health effects,” EPA officials said in setting non-legally enforceable health-based goals of zero PFOS and PFOA in drinking water, two of the most studied of these chemicals.
However, the EPA’s regulatory standards were limited to an average of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) per year. Local governments currently have until 2031 to meet these limits by finding new clean drinking water sources or installing advanced filtration systems or face financial penalties and other types of EPA enforcement.
What’s new in these updated records?
To better understand the extent of PFAS contamination, the EPA will require most drinking water systems to test for approximately 30 permanent chemicals in drinking water from 2023 to 2025.
More than 9,000 utilities submitted all the required sample data, but more than 1,000 systems, including cities like Bradenton, Florida, submitted only partial sets of results. Charleston, South Carolina. The number of utilities in violation of the new PFAS limits could increase even further once the EPA releases the final updates to these records by fall 2026.
The EPA last updated these records in November 2025, and more than 100 additional water systems are now reporting PFOA or PFOS above the annual average of 4 ppt. The largest of these are municipal water systems in Columbia, South Carolina, and Huntington Beach, California, which reported average PFOS levels of 7.6 ppt and 5.5 ppt, respectively.
Although Columbia’s test results were just added to the EPA dataset, the PFAS contamination is not a surprise to city officials. Columbia Water has sued dozens of PFAS manufacturers in an ongoing federal lawsuit filed in mid-2024, alleging that the companies are intentionally and wrongfully disposing of PFAS through wastewater treatment plants upstream of the city’s water intake.
“These ‘forever chemicals’ will continue to contaminate Columbia’s water supplies for generations to come and will exist in Columbia’s drinking water in excess of applicable federal standards until removed by highly sophisticated filtration methods,” the city said in court documents. “Through no fault of its own, Columbia must upgrade its water and wastewater treatment facilities to adequately address Defendants’ PFAS.”
Clint Seeley, deputy city manager for the city of Columbia, declined to comment because the lawsuit is ongoing. Huntington Beach did not respond to a request for comment.
The two cities are in good hands, as a USA TODAY analysis shows that PFAS contamination is more widespread in larger systems serving more than 100,000 customers. In fact, nearly a quarter of these very large utilities report exceeding PFAS limits, according to EPA records.
Contamination sources are generally more prevalent in urban areas, with many utilities citing airports, military bases, and factories as possible sources of PFAS in water. A USA TODAY analysis shows that the percentage of drinking water systems that exceed EPA limits decreases as they become smaller and more rural.
Although fewer small systems are affected, USA TODAY’s analysis shows that many of the highest concentrations of PFAS are still reported in small communities. For example, the quaint college town of Oxford, Michigan, reported average PFOS levels of 53 ppt, more than 13 times over the limit, according to new records. Water systems in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, the gateway to Amish country, also reported PFOA readings on average about 13 times higher than the standard limit.
The City of Oxford accepted a $3.5 million bid to purchase land to drill a new well and build a water treatment facility in late 2025, according to city council minutes. City documents indicate the city plans to pay for the project at least in part with federal stimulus funds sent out during the coronavirus pandemic.
Morgantown’s utility company will send a notice to customers in December 2025 saying it will shut down contaminated wells until remediation can be done, which is expected within the next year.
What should I do if my city finds PFAS?
The EPA has compiled a website here with resources for people concerned about PFAS contamination in drinking water.
The agency recommends first contacting your local water provider to ask about their test results and learn what efforts they are taking to meet EPA standards.
Advanced filtration systems and well construction projects can take years to complete. So, purchasing a filtration pitcher or installing a household filter will give you peace of mind in the meantime. The EPA recommends systems that use charcoal, reverse osmosis, or ion exchange resins. Check the EPA website for more information on filtration products certified to remove PFAS.
For the 10% of Americans who rely on private wells for drinking water, the EPA suggests contacting your state environmental or health department for a list of state-certified laboratories that can test for PFAS contamination.
