What is PFAS Water Testing?

When it comes to protecting your water quality, you’re likely on the lookout for easy-to-spot issues like chlorine odors, metallic tastes and visible sediment. However, there are plenty of impurities that don’t come with these warning signs — and PFAS chemicals are a particularly concerning example.

Sometimes called “forever chemicals,” these contaminants exist just about everywhere and last a long time in the environment, water system and human body. In the U.S., new government regulations on PFAS are just beginning to tackle this problem; however, treatment won’t be required for municipal water systems until 2029 (and won’t cover private wells). In Canada, no official limits on PFAS in drinking water have been set yet by Health Canada; however, a ruling on proposed limits is expected in fall 2024. In the meantime, PFAS detection and treatment are up to you.

Here’s what to know about testing your water for PFAS chemicals and what to do with the results.

Your Guide to PFAS Water Testing

You can’t see, smell or taste PFAS chemicals. That means the only way to know if they’re in your drinking glass — and in what amounts — is to rely on a water test.*

That’s the case for many water problems, from hardness levels to lead contamination, so the concept certainly isn’t new. However, PFAS chemicals introduce two main complications to the testing landscape. Firstly, they’re considered emerging contaminants, which means they’re not yet as well-researched as better-known issues like lead or arsenic. Secondly, the term “PFAS” actually refers to a group of nearly 15,000 chemicals, meaning there’s a lot to test for.

With all of that in mind, it’s easy to see why PFAS identification might be more difficult than just putting a test strip in a tap water sample. Here’s how that impacts your options.

DIY Tests

Many drinking water quality tests come in convenient kits that guide you through the process at home and give you results almost immediately. However, these may not be the best option, even for well-known contaminants. The main problem is that this kind of testing tends to be less comprehensive. It also leaves you to figure out each step on your own, including the most important one: analyzing the results and what they mean.

On top of that, the PFAS testing options available today aren’t designed like the test kits you might see for other contaminants. You may be able to take a water sample yourself, but you’ll still need to send it to a laboratory for PFAS detection.

For this reason, a fully “DIY” test kit isn’t really an option in this case. However, there are still high-quality, easy options that you can start at home and send to a lab for quick results.

Professional Tests

The good news is that you don’t have to worry about PFAS testing on your own. Professional tests handle the laboratory work and results analysis; you don’t even have to take your own water sample if you’d rather have expert support.

For example, a Culligan PFAS test kit offers:

• Simple processes with minimal steps
• Clear, intuitive instructions
• No complex sampling procedures
• Quick turnaround times on results and reports
• Identification of 55 PFAS compounds
• Detection down to 1 part per trillion (ppt)
• Testing completed at a laboratory

Simply put, professional tests are the best of both worlds, combining convenient DIY elements with expert support to give you the results you need without the hassle.

Government-Level Tests

As is the case with most water problems, it’s always smart to have your own tap water tested rather than relying on city or government testing alone. That’s because:

• Official testing may not cover all the potential contaminants you’re concerned about.
• Water authorities aren’t responsible for testing or treating private wells.
• Additional contaminants can enter the water supply between a treatment center and your tap — like metals from your home’s plumbing.

However, it’s still helpful to understand what’s included in municipal water testing. That’s especially true when it comes to PFAS, as new government regulations are creating increased scrutiny and stricter requirements for public water systems.

For example, in the U.S., the Environmental Protection Act has set limits to the amount of PFAS allowed in tap water, and municipalities must provide public testing results by 2027 and comply with reduction requirements by 2029. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also has specific testing methods designed to help laboratories perform effective, accurate tests. Meanwhile, Canada is currently gathering data that will support future actions in this area.

If you’re on city water, you can see if your water system is already testing for PFAS by checking your local Consumer Confidence Report. All municipal water suppliers are required to publish these annually; however, yours may not yet be including PFAs.

While this is good progress, it still means your local municipality isn’t required to offer PFAS protection in the near future — which is just one more reason to take testing into your own hands.

Culligan PFAS Water Testing

If you’re looking for an affordable option for PFAS testing, Culligan has exactly what you need. Our low-cost PFAS test kit can identify 55 PFAS compounds, detecting levels as low as 1 part per trillion.

These test kits don’t require any specialized procedures or equipment, and they work for both city and well water. Just follow the four simple steps described to take a water sample in the provided collection cup, then send the box with the prefilled label. If you prefer, your local water expert can handle this for you instead as a part of our in-home consultation.

In just 10 business days, you’ll receive a detailed report on the PFAS content in your water supply. This will show you how much total PFAS content was detected; it also lists which compounds were present and in what amounts. The report shows this data alongside maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), the maximum contaminant level allowed in public water, so you can see how your tap water compares against federal standards where applicable.

You’ll have the opportunity to review your results with your local Culligan expert, who will follow up with water treatment recommendations and next steps. That means you’ll have all the support you need from ordering your test to installing a treatment solution and beyond.

Why Test PFAS Levels in Water?

To understand the importance of testing for and treating PFAS, it’s crucial to start all the way back in the 1940s, when these per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances made their debut. This group of artificial chemicals was originally designed to make products like fire retardants and non-stick coatings.

Unfortunately, the same characteristics that made PFAS so useful also made them problematic. Because they break down very slowly and resist oil, fire, water and more, forever chemicals are difficult to remove — this has allowed them to spread through ecosystems and living organisms across the globe.

To make matters worse, continuing research is finding that PFAS are a risk to human health. They’re associated with health issues ranging from obesity and high cholesterol to cancer and liver damage. The EPA has even set an MCL goal of zero for certain compounds, explaining that this “non-enforceable health-based goal” reflects scientific findings that suggest there is no safe level of exposure.

It’s good news that we’re learning more about these substances and their impact on human and environmental health. However, there’s more to the story. Because many city water systems aren’t yet testing for or treating forever chemicals as they do with other contaminants, it’s going to take years to upgrade the infrastructure necessary to address PFAS exposure. Worse yet, these substances are tasteless, odorless, invisible and have been found to be widely present.

That’s why testing is so important: It’s the most effective way to measure PFAS levels in your drinking water and decide what to do about them.

PFAS Water Treatment Solutions

One of the most important things to know about PFAS contamination is that it needs to be addressed in specific ways. Approaches like chlorination or boiling won’t work because the chemicals were designed to withstand factors that might break them down. Even switching to your favorite bottled water brand isn’t the answer, as studies have found PFAS here, too.

Fortunately, there are different types of solutions available.

Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filter Systems

One option is a reverse osmosis (RO) system, which typically goes under your sink to treat water from the kitchen faucet. With the right filtration capabilities, these solutions can address PFAS contamination and help prevent the negative impacts of ongoing exposure. Better yet, RO systems also can address dozens of other contaminants, treating issues that can cause health problems as well as problems with taste or odor.

That said, not all RO systems are designed to handle PFAS and other emerging contaminants. When you’re looking for reliable filtration, it’s important to do your research and find options certified to address the specific water quality issues that concern you most. For example, Culligan’s Aquasential® Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration System and Aquasential® Smart Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration System with Total Defense are are third-party certified to ANSI/NSF standards to reduce Total PFAS by more than 99.99%.

Whole House Filtration Systems

While RO systems target a wide range of potential water issues, whole house PFAS systems are specifically designed to target forever chemicals. Because they’re installed where your water source comes into your home, these solutions treat all of your home’s water – from the kitchen to showers, tubs, laundry and more.

As with RO systems, you should look for a whole house system that’s certified by a third party. Culligan’s Aquasential® Whole Home PFAS Filter is third-party certified to NSF/ANSI standards to reduce Total PFAS by more than 99%. The system combines two different treatment technologies – activated carbon and anion resin – to ensure comprehensive performance.

PFAS Testing: FAQs

Looking for more PFAS information? Here’s a look at some of the most common questions:

What Are the Latest PFAS Standards?

PFAS regulations have been a hot topic since April 2024, when the Biden-Harris Administration finalized the nation’s first legally enforceable drinking water standard for these chemicals. This included:

• MCLs for individual and combined PFAS compounds
• Testing and treatment requirements for public water systems, including rules for future violations
• $9 billion in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address emerging contaminants in drinking water

The EPA notes that these efforts “will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.”

Other countries, including Australia, New Zealand, China and Japan, have implemented various restrictions and controls on PFAS. However, the U.S. regulations may encourage stricter approaches globally.

How Do PFAS Chemicals Get Into Water?

Forever chemicals are present in a huge variety of industrial and consumer products. Although some compounds have been phased out, these products still exist — and when we use or dispose of them, they can add PFAS to the environment. This includes both surface water and groundwater, which are the sources of most tap and bottled water.

Do PFAS Levels Differ by Location?

Like most contaminants, PFAS move naturally- through lakes and rivers, soil, and human bodies.. On top of that, there are a lot of individual compounds in this chemical group — which means PFAS data can vary widely.

For example, this interactive contamination map shows how levels differ across U.S. states, including both public and private water systems.

Get Started With PFAS Testing

Although PFAS chemicals are a serious, widespread issue, the solutions don’t have to be overwhelming. Instead, take control of your water quality the simple way with low-cost testing, effective treatment and expert support.

Request your PFAS water test kit from your local Culligan location today.

*Contaminants may not be present in your water.