40 Million Americans on Private Wells Have No PFAS Protection. Here's What to Do.
A new AP investigation reveals how forever chemicals are contaminating private drinking water wells across the country - with no federal oversight.
Updated February 13, 2026
The federal government has set strict limits on PFAS in public drinking water. But roughly 40 million Americans who get water from private wells have no such protection - and a growing body of evidence suggests many of them are drinking contaminated water without knowing it.
The Scale of the Problem
An investigation by the Associated Press, published in early February 2026, documents how private well owners across the country are discovering PFAS contamination years after it began - often near military bases, industrial sites, and manufacturing plants that used PFAS-containing products.
Key findings from the investigation and related research:
- 9,552 PFAS-contaminated sites have been identified across all 50 states, according to EWG's tracking map
- 172 million people in communities with drinking water that has tested positive for PFAS
- In North Carolina alone, one chemical company (Chemours) has tested 23,000+ wells over seven years - and contamination keeps spreading
- In Wisconsin, a single town discovered PFAS levels thousands of times higher than federal limits
Why Private Wells Are Especially Vulnerable
The EPA's 2024 PFAS drinking water standards - which set limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS - apply only to public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own testing and treatment. Most states don't require PFAS testing for private wells, and many well owners have no idea their water could be contaminated.
The problem is compounded by the fact that PFAS are invisible, odorless, and tasteless. You cannot detect them without laboratory testing.
How to Know If Your Well Is at Risk
Your risk is higher if you live:
- Near a current or former military base (firefighting foam is a major PFAS source)
- Near an airport or fire training facility
- Near industrial manufacturing, especially textiles, paper, or chemical plants
- In an agricultural area where PFAS-containing biosolids were applied as fertilizer
- Near a landfill that accepted industrial waste
The USGS published a predictive model in 2024 estimating PFAS occurrence in groundwater nationwide. Florida and California have the largest populations relying on potentially contaminated groundwater sources.
Test Your Well Water for PFAS
Home test strips don't detect PFAS. You need a certified lab test. Here are your options:
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission on purchases. For certified PFAS lab testing, contact your state health department or search for PFAS testing labs at EPA.gov/pfas.
What Filters Actually Remove PFAS?
Not all water filters remove PFAS. The key certifications to look for:
- NSF P473 - specifically tests for PFOA and PFOS removal
- NSF 53 - tests for contaminant reduction including some PFAS
- NSF 58 - reverse osmosis standard, which removes most PFAS
Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters and reverse osmosis systems are the most effective consumer options. Standard carbon filters (like basic Brita) are not sufficient for PFAS removal.
The Regulatory Gap
The EPA finalized PFAS drinking water standards in April 2024, but has already signaled it will extend the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031. Meanwhile, water systems must complete initial PFAS monitoring by 2027. For private well owners, there is currently no federal requirement to test or treat for PFAS.
Some states have taken action: Wisconsin and Michigan have among the most aggressive PFAS testing programs for private wells, often near known contamination sites. But coverage is uneven across the country.
What You Can Do Today
- Check EWG's PFAS contamination map to see if your area has known contamination
- Contact your state health department about PFAS testing programs for private wells
- Get a certified lab test if you're near a potential PFAS source
- Install a certified filter - NSF P473 or reverse osmosis - while awaiting results
- Check your city's data on CheckMyTap if you're on a public water system
Related: Worried about microplastics too? Read our investigation into microplastics in drinking water, including which filters are NSF 401 certified for microplastic removal.