Water quality recommendations on this page are informational. Test results vary by location. Contact your state health department or a certified lab for guidance specific to your water supply.
PFAS ACTION GUIDE
What to Do After a Positive PFAS Water Test
You got your results back and PFAS is above the EPA limit. Do not panic. Here are the exact steps to take, in order.
Last reviewed: May 2026
The four steps, in order
Do not panic. Context matters.
The EPA limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 parts per trillion. If your result is 6 ppt, that is above the limit but not an emergency. If it is 200 ppt, act faster. Either way, one test result is not a medical diagnosis.
Thousands of people have had elevated PFAS in their water for years before ever knowing. Your body has already been exposed if the contamination has been there for some time. What matters now is stopping future exposure.
Confirm with a second test.
Labs make mistakes. Sample contamination happens. Before taking major action, run a second test using a different lab. Use the same collection procedure. If both results are elevated, you have confirmation.
Also contact your county or state health department with your first results. They may offer free confirmation testing or resources.
Stop drinking unfiltered water from that source.
While you are confirming results and choosing a permanent filter, use bottled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. This is a short-term step, not a permanent solution.
Or buy an NSF P473-certified pitcher filter today. The Clearly Filtered Pitcher ($90) requires no installation and is available with Prime shipping.
Choose a permanent filter based on your situation.
Your options depend on whether you rent or own, and whether contamination is in your kitchen tap only or throughout the whole house. See the table below.
Only activated carbon and reverse osmosis remove PFAS. Standard sediment filters and most chlorine filters do not.
Filter options by situation
Renter, need a solution today
Clearly Filtered Pitcher
$90
No installation. NSF/ANSI P473 certified. Removes 99.7% PFOA, 99.9% PFOS.
Check price on AmazonHomeowner, kitchen and drinking water only
Clearly Filtered Under-Sink or Waterdrop RO
$250 to $299
Filters all water from one kitchen tap. Easy installation under the sink.
Check price on AmazonWhole house contamination, all taps affected
SpringWell CF1 Whole-House System
$990 to $1,200
Filters every tap including showers and laundry. Necessary when PFAS is in the source water.
Check price on AmazonContact your county health department
Your county or state health department is your best free resource. They can:
- Provide guidance specific to your location and result level
- Check if your area is part of an active PFAS investigation
- Offer free confirmation testing in some cases
- Connect you with remediation funding if a responsible party is identified
Notify your neighbors
PFAS contamination in a private well usually means there is a source nearby. That same source may be affecting neighboring wells. You are not required to notify neighbors, but it is worth doing.
If multiple wells in an area show elevated PFAS, it becomes easier to identify the source and pursue remediation. Isolated reports are easier to ignore.
Frequently asked questions
Is PFAS exposure reversible?
PFAS accumulates in the body over time. It does not break down quickly. But reducing or eliminating exposure does allow levels in the body to drop gradually over months and years. There is no treatment to rapidly clear PFAS from the body. Stopping exposure is the most effective step you can take.
What type of filter removes PFAS from water?
Two technologies work: activated carbon (including granular activated carbon and block carbon) and reverse osmosis. Look for filters certified under NSF/ANSI P473 for PFOA and PFOS removal, or NSF 58 for reverse osmosis systems. Standard sediment filters and basic carbon filters like Brita do not remove PFAS.
Do I need to replace my plumbing after a positive PFAS test?
No. PFAS does not deposit in or leach from standard household pipes. It is dissolved in the water itself. A point-of-use or whole-house filter that removes PFAS from the water is sufficient. You do not need to replace pipes or fixtures.
Can I shower in water with high PFAS?
For most people, showering in PFAS-contaminated water is considered lower risk than drinking it. Skin absorption of PFAS from water is low. The main exposure route is ingestion. However, children and pregnant individuals may want to minimize all exposure. Check with your doctor for personalized guidance.
How do I report PFAS contamination in my well?
Contact your state environmental agency and county health department. Provide your test results and lab documentation. If you believe the contamination is coming from a specific industrial source, you can also file a complaint with the EPA through epa.gov/pfas. Notify neighbors with nearby wells since PFAS contamination often affects multiple properties from a single source.