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Guide · Updated October 27, 2026

PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Private Wells: Why You Should Test

In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set the first national drinking-water limits for several PFAS — the so-called “forever chemicals.” Those rules apply to public water systems. If your home runs on a private well, nobody is required to test your water for you.

Why this matters now. EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA and PFOS are 4.0 parts per trillion — extremely low levels that reflect serious long-term health concerns. Private wells are not covered by those enforceable limits. The only way to know whether PFAS are in your well is to test with a certified laboratory.

What are PFAS?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of human-made chemicals used for decades in nonstick coatings, stain-resistant fabrics, firefighting foams, and many industrial processes. They are called “forever chemicals” because many of them break down extremely slowly in the environment and can build up in people and wildlife.

In April 2024, EPA finalized National Primary Drinking Water Regulations for six PFAS. The enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) include:

EPA also set the health-based goal (MCLG) for PFOA and PFOS at zero — meaning any exposure is considered to carry some risk, even though the enforceable limit is set higher for practical reasons.

Who is at risk?

Higher-risk situations for private wells

  • You live near a military base, airport, industrial site, landfill, or fire-training area where PFAS-containing foams or wastes may have been used
  • Your community has documented PFAS in groundwater or in a nearby public system
  • Your state or county health department has issued PFAS advisories for private wells
  • You rely on well water for infant formula, cooking, and drinking every day

EPA estimates that more than 23 million U.S. households rely on private wells. Those wells are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act the way public systems are. National PFAS rules for public systems do not force anyone to sample your private well.

You can’t taste or smell PFAS

PFAS do not usually change the color, smell, or taste of water. Waiting for a warning sign means waiting for something that may never appear. By the time a public system nearby finds PFAS, private wells in the same aquifer may already have been exposed for years — with no monitoring required.

That is why EPA’s private-well guidance is blunt: contact your state environmental or health agency for advice, use a state-certified lab that can run EPA-developed PFAS methods, and consider treatment or an alternate water source if levels are high.

What to do if you’re worried

  1. Find a certified lab. Not every drinking-water lab runs PFAS. Ask whether they use EPA-approved methods for the compounds you care about, and whether they accept private-well samples.
  2. Follow the sampling instructions exactly. PFAS sampling is easy to contaminate with everyday products (some waterproof clothing, certain bottles). Use only the kit and instructions the lab provides.
  3. Compare results to EPA’s MCLs as a reference. Those limits are written for public systems, but they are the clearest national health benchmarks available. If your result is above them, talk to your health department about next steps.
  4. Reduce exposure while you plan. EPA notes that certified point-of-use filters or an alternate water source for drinking, cooking, and formula can lower exposure while you decide on longer-term treatment.

Find a certified lab near you

We turn each state’s official certified-lab list into a phone-friendly page — with sources and the date we last checked.

Browse labs by state Minnesota Vermont Texas

Disclaimer: This page is for general information only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment guidance. For health questions, talk to a clinician. For test results and local risks, contact your state or county health department.

Sources

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