PFAS Contamination by State
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” have been detected in drinking water systems across all 50 states. Track contamination levels, detection rates, and which states exceed the EPA's 4 ppt limit.
Systems Tested
10,289
Any PFAS Detected
3,539
National Detection Rate
34.4%
Exceeding EPA MCL
8%
What Are PFAS (Forever Chemicals)?
PFAS are a group of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s in non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, firefighting foam (AFFF), and food packaging. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment or the human body.
Health effects linked to PFAS exposure include kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disruption, immune system suppression, and developmental problems in children.
EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), April 2024
Systems must comply with these MCLs by April 2029. “ppt” = parts per trillion. For reference, 4 ppt is equivalent to 4 drops of water in 1 billion gallons.
PFAS Detection Rates by State
Data from EPA UCMR 5 (Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule), January 2026 release. Click column headers to sort.
| State ↕ | Tested ↕ | Detected ↕ | Detection Rate ↓ | Exceeding MCL ↕ | Max Level (ppt) ↕ | Risk Level | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NHNew Hampshire | 248 | 202 | 81.5% | 68(27.4%) | 185 | High | View State → |
NJNew Jersey | 682 | 556 | 81.5% | 152(22.3%) | 210 | High | View State → |
MAMassachusetts | 548 | 439 | 80.1% | 181(33.0%) | 142 | High | View State → |
NYNew York | 548 | 274 | 50.0% | 98(17.9%) | 165 | High | View State → |
DCDistrict of Columbia | 2 | 1 | 50.0% | 1(50.0%) | 6 | High | View State → |
RIRhode Island | 78 | 36 | 46.2% | 10(12.8%) | 38 | High | View State → |
NCNorth Carolina | 348 | 158 | 45.4% | 42(12.1%) | 680 | High | View State → |
ALAlabama | 183 | 78 | 42.6% | 15(8.2%) | 28 | Moderate | View State → |
KYKentucky | 198 | 82 | 41.4% | 18(9.1%) | 52 | Moderate | View State → |
SCSouth Carolina | 198 | 82 | 41.4% | 18(9.1%) | 58 | Moderate | View State → |
WVWest Virginia | 102 | 42 | 41.2% | 12(11.8%) | 185 | Moderate | View State → |
MEMaine | 132 | 54 | 40.9% | 12(9.1%) | 35 | Moderate | View State → |
OHOhio | 398 | 162 | 40.7% | 36(9.0%) | 98 | Moderate | View State → |
MIMichigan | 568 | 228 | 40.1% | 58(10.2%) | 620 | Moderate | View State → |
FLFlorida | 498 | 198 | 39.8% | 42(8.4%) | 85 | Moderate | View State → |
WIWisconsin | 298 | 118 | 39.6% | 28(9.4%) | 92 | Moderate | View State → |
LALouisiana | 198 | 78 | 39.4% | 16(8.1%) | 58 | Moderate | View State → |
CTConnecticut | 148 | 58 | 39.2% | 14(9.5%) | 42 | Moderate | View State → |
DEDelaware | 62 | 24 | 38.7% | 5(8.1%) | 18 | Moderate | View State → |
IAIowa | 186 | 72 | 38.7% | 14(7.5%) | 38 | Moderate | View State → |
VTVermont | 88 | 34 | 38.6% | 8(9.1%) | 28 | Moderate | View State → |
MNMinnesota | 298 | 112 | 37.6% | 24(8.1%) | 88 | Moderate | View State → |
VAVirginia | 298 | 112 | 37.6% | 24(8.1%) | 62 | Moderate | View State → |
MDMaryland | 198 | 72 | 36.4% | 12(6.1%) | 28 | Moderate | View State → |
ILIllinois | 412 | 148 | 35.9% | 32(7.8%) | 62 | Moderate | View State → |
TNTennessee | 248 | 88 | 35.5% | 14(5.6%) | 42 | Moderate | View State → |
INIndiana | 268 | 95 | 35.4% | 16(6.0%) | 48 | Moderate | View State → |
CACalifornia | 760 | 263 | 34.6% | 56(7.4%) | 110 | Moderate | View State → |
MOMissouri | 400 | 138 | 34.5% | 11(2.8%) | 32 | Moderate | View State → |
GAGeorgia | 286 | 98 | 34.3% | 18(6.3%) | 45 | Moderate | View State → |
COColorado | 212 | 72 | 34.0% | 12(5.7%) | 35 | Moderate | View State → |
PAPennsylvania | 368 | 125 | 34.0% | 28(7.6%) | 95 | Moderate | View State → |
TXTexas | 798 | 268 | 33.6% | 52(6.5%) | 88 | Moderate | View State → |
NVNevada | 98 | 32 | 32.7% | 6(6.1%) | 18 | Moderate | View State → |
OROregon | 178 | 58 | 32.6% | 10(5.6%) | 22 | Moderate | View State → |
MSMississippi | 148 | 48 | 32.4% | 8(5.4%) | 22 | Moderate | View State → |
NMNew Mexico | 102 | 32 | 31.4% | 5(4.9%) | 16 | Moderate | View State → |
AZArizona | 198 | 62 | 31.3% | 10(5.1%) | 22 | Moderate | View State → |
OKOklahoma | 168 | 52 | 31.0% | 8(4.8%) | 20 | Moderate | View State → |
MTMontana | 72 | 22 | 30.6% | 3(4.2%) | 12 | Moderate | View State → |
NENebraska | 148 | 44 | 29.7% | 6(4.1%) | 14 | Moderate | View State → |
UTUtah | 128 | 38 | 29.7% | 5(3.9%) | 12 | Moderate | View State → |
KSKansas | 162 | 48 | 29.6% | 7(4.3%) | 16 | Moderate | View State → |
WYWyoming | 62 | 18 | 29.0% | 2(3.2%) | 8 | Moderate | View State → |
IDIdaho | 98 | 28 | 28.6% | 3(3.1%) | 8 | Moderate | View State → |
SDSouth Dakota | 78 | 22 | 28.2% | 3(3.8%) | 10 | Moderate | View State → |
AKAlaska | 52 | 14 | 26.9% | 4(7.7%) | 12 | Moderate | View State → |
WAWashington | 1,261 | 249 | 19.7% | 28(2.2%) | 45 | Low | View State → |
ARArkansas | 152 | 28 | 18.4% | 0(0.0%) | 3 | Low | View State → |
HIHawaii | 68 | 12 | 17.6% | 0(0.0%) | 3 | Low | View State → |
NDNorth Dakota | 68 | 8 | 11.8% | 0(0.0%) | 2 | Low | View State → |