Water problems
PFAS ("forever chemicals"): what the record says
Last updated
The short answer
On PFAS, the official record is reassuring: Pittsburgh Water states it has tested for PFAS since 2018 with no detections, and its 2024 and 2025 lab reports show PFOA and PFOS below the lab's 1.9 ppt reporting limit. "Not detected" means below that limit, not a proven absolute zero. Homes on other utilities or on wells have different records.
What you notice
Signs to look for
- Questions about PFOA, PFOS or other forever chemicals
- A private well or a utility with a different record
What the record says
Context
Pittsburgh Water results
Published lab reports for 2024 and 2025 (state compliance sampling and federal UCMR5 testing) show PFOA and PFOS below the lab's 1.9 ppt reporting limit, which is below both the federal limit set in 2024 (4 ppt) and Pennsylvania's limits (14 ppt PFOA, 18 ppt PFOS). There are no detected PFAS concentrations in Pittsburgh Water's official results to chart, and we won't pretend otherwise. See the PFAS section.
How it is treated
Systems that address pfas
Whole-home PFOA/PFOS filtration
ENPRESS describes The PIONEER as the first of its kind whole-home filter certified to address lead, cyst and PFOA/PFOS. Its certifications are ENPRESS's own, stated exactly as ENPRESS publishes them.
Questions
PFAS: common questions
Does Pittsburgh tap water contain PFAS?
Pittsburgh Water states it has tested for PFAS since 2018 with no detections. Its 2024 and 2025 lab reports show PFOA and PFOS below the 1.9 ppt reporting limit. "Not detected" means below that limit, not a proven zero.
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