PFAS in Drinking Water: What Virginia & West Virginia Homeowners Should Know
Key Takeaway:PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” are a large group of long-lasting chemicals that can make their way into surface water and groundwater. Because you cannot see, smell, or taste PFAS in drinking water, proper laboratory testing is needed to determine whether they are present. If PFAS are detected, treatment technologies such as activated carbon and reverse osmosis may help reduce certain PFAS when properly selected, maintained, and verified through follow-up testing. Clean-looking water does not always tell you the full story about what’s coming from your tap. Some contaminants have no noticeable taste, smell, or color, including a group of chemicals known as PFAS. PFAS in drinking water have received growing attention across the United States, including Virginia and West Virginia. These chemicals can persist in the environment for long periods and may enter both surface water and groundwater. For homeowners, however, the goal isn’t to panic over every headline about “forever chemicals.” It’s to understand what PFAS are, whether testing makes sense for your water supply, and what treatment options are available if PFAS are detected. Here’s what homeowners in Virginia and West Virginia should know. Quick Facts About PFAS in Drinking Water PFAS are a large group of manufactured chemicals. They have been used for decades in industrial processes and consumer products because of properties such as resistance to water, oil, stains, and heat. They’re called “forever chemicals” for a reason. Many PFAS break down very slowly and can remain in the environment for years. You can’t detect PFAS with your senses. PFAS generally cannot be identified by the taste, smell, or appearance of your water. Treatment is available. Activated carbon, ion exchange, and high-pressure membrane technologies such as reverse osmosis can reduce certain PFAS under appropriate conditions. What Are PFAS and Why Are They Called Forever Chemicals? PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Rather than describing one chemical, PFAS refers to a large family of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer applications since the mid-20th century. Their chemical properties made them useful in products designed to resist grease, oil, water, stains, or heat. PFAS have historically been associated with products and applications such as certain firefighting foams, stain-resistant materials, water-resistant products, and industrial processes. Those same properties also create an environmental challenge. Many PFAS do not readily break down through ordinary natural processes. That’s why you’ve probably heard them referred to as “forever chemicals.” Once released into the environment, some PFAS can move through soil and water and potentially reach drinking water sources. How Do PFAS Get Into Drinking Water? PFAS can enter drinking water when the chemicals are released into the environment and reach surface water or groundwater. Potential sources can include manufacturing or industrial sites, waste disposal areas, firefighting foam use, and other locations where PFAS-containing materials have been used or released. Once PFAS reach a water source, conventional water treatment does not necessarily remove every compound. That means PFAS may be found in public water supplies or private wells when the source water has been affected and adequate treatment is not in place. Can You Tell If PFAS Are in Your Water?No. PFAS do not provide the kinds of clues homeowners might notice with other water problems. No distinctive PFAS odor No distinctive PFAS taste No staining that confirms PFAS No visible change that reliably identifies PFAS Laboratory analysis using appropriate PFAS testing methods is needed to determine whether these chemicals are present. Why Are PFAS Showing Up in Virginia and West Virginia Water Supplies? PFAS aren’t unique to Virginia or West Virginia. They have been detected in water sources across the country as monitoring has expanded and laboratory methods have improved. Virginia has been monitoring PFAS in public drinking water systems, and the Virginia Department of Health provides information for both public-water customers and private-well owners. West Virginia has also conducted statewide PFAS investigations. State agencies and the U.S. Geological Survey sampled public source waters, and West Virginia has identified PFAS in some raw and finished drinking water sources. The state’s PFAS Protection Act also requires efforts to identify and address certain PFAS sources affecting public drinking water supplies. This doesn’t mean that every home in Virginia or West Virginia has PFAS in its water. PFAS occurrence varies by water source and location. Testing or public-water monitoring data are needed to understand what’s happening with a specific water supply. Are PFAS in Drinking Water a Health Concern? Research into PFAS and human health is ongoing, but exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with health effects. The amount of exposure, how long exposure occurs, and the specific PFAS involved all matter when considering potential risk. Because PFAS include many different compounds, scientists continue to study how individual PFAS and combinations of PFAS may affect people. Reducing unnecessary exposure is one reason federal and state agencies have increased PFAS monitoring and drinking-water guidance. Important: Don’t assume that clear, good-tasting water is PFAS-free. You also shouldn’t assume your water contains PFAS simply because you live in Virginia or West Virginia. PFAS cannot be reliably identified with your senses. Use laboratory testing or information from your public water provider to understand your actual water supply. What Are the Current EPA Drinking Water Standards for PFAS? The federal PFAS regulatory landscape is currently changing. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the first national drinking water regulation for several PFAS in public water systems. The rule included enforceable maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS of 4 parts per trillion individually, along with requirements involving several additional PFAS. In May 2026, EPA proposed regulatory changes. The agency proposed keeping the federal drinking water limits for PFOA and PFOS while allowing eligible public water systems additional time, potentially until 2031, to meet those limits. EPA separately proposed rescinding the regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, commonly called GenX chemicals, and the Hazard Index mixture involving those compounds and PFBS. As of September 2026, those 2026 actions remain proposed rulemakings rather than
Arsenic in Well Water: What Virginia Homeowners Should Know
Key Takeaway: Arsenic can occur naturally in groundwater, and you cannot reliably see, smell, or taste it. For Virginia homeowners with private wells, proper testing is the only way to know whether arsenic is present. If testing detects arsenic, the right treatment depends on the concentration, water chemistry, and treatment goals. After treatment is installed, follow-up testing helps confirm that the system is working as intended. Your well water can look crystal clear, taste normal, and have no noticeable odor while still containing substances you cannot detect with your senses. Arsenic is one of those contaminants. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that can enter groundwater as water interacts with rocks, soil, and mineral deposits. Human activities can also contribute arsenic to the environment in some circumstances. Because private wells draw directly from groundwater, homeowners are responsible for monitoring their own water quality. That makes arsenic in well water an important issue to understand. You don’t need to assume there’s a problem, but you also shouldn’t rely on appearance or taste to determine whether your water contains arsenic. The process starts with testing. If arsenic is detected, your results can help determine what treatment is appropriate for your specific water conditions. Quick Facts About Arsenic in Well Water Arsenic can occur naturally. It can enter groundwater as water interacts with arsenic-containing rocks, soil, and minerals. You can’t rely on your senses to detect it. Arsenic is odorless and tasteless, so proper testing is necessary. The EPA standard is 10 ppb. Public water systems must meet an arsenic maximum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion. Private wells are different. Private wells are not regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, so homeowners are responsible for testing and maintaining their water quality. How Does Arsenic Get Into Well Water? Arsenic can enter well water naturally when groundwater moves through rocks, soil, and mineral deposits containing arsenic. This means arsenic can be present even when there is no obvious pollution source near your property. Agricultural and industrial activities can also introduce arsenic into the environment in some situations, but naturally occurring geology is an important potential source for private wells. Groundwater conditions vary from property to property. A neighboring well’s results therefore cannot tell you exactly what’s in your own water. Can You Tell If Arsenic Is in Your Water? No. You cannot reliably detect arsenic in drinking water by its appearance, smell, or taste. This makes arsenic different from problems such as sulfur odor, iron staining, or hard water scale. Those issues often produce noticeable clues around the home. Arsenic may provide no obvious warning at all. You Can’t Reliably Detect Arsenic With Your Senses No reliable odor No reliable taste No visible warning sign Clear water can still contain arsenic Proper water testing is needed for detection Clean Water of Virginia provides information about water testing for private wells and why regular testing is important for understanding changes in groundwater quality. Is Arsenic in Well Water Dangerous? Long-term exposure to elevated arsenic levels in drinking water is associated with serious health risks. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies arsenic as an inorganic drinking water contaminant and has linked chronic exposure to effects involving the skin and other parts of the body, as well as an increased risk of several cancers. For public drinking water systems, the EPA maximum contaminant level for arsenic is 10 parts per billion (ppb), or 0.010 mg/L. Private wells are not regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, which means well owners need to take responsibility for testing their own water. Important: Don’t assume clear, good-tasting well water is free of arsenic. Because arsenic is odorless and tasteless, proper testing is needed to determine whether it is present and at what concentration. How Do You Test Well Water for Arsenic? Arsenic testing should be performed using an appropriate drinking water test, with certified laboratory analysis used when accurate contaminant measurements are needed. The result should tell you the concentration of arsenic detected in the sample. That number can then be compared with drinking water guidance and used to determine what steps may be appropriate. EPA guidance recommends using laboratories certified to perform drinking water testing. If a contaminant is detected above a health standard, EPA also recommends confirming the result and seeking appropriate guidance before selecting a response. Clean Water of Virginia’s water testing resources can also provide a starting point for homeowners who want to better understand their home’s water conditions. What Level of Arsenic Is Allowed in Drinking Water? The EPA maximum contaminant level for arsenic in regulated public drinking water systems is 10 ppb. That federal standard applies to community water systems and certain non-community public systems. It does not mean that private wells are routinely monitored or regulated to the same standard. If you rely on a private well, you’re responsible for arranging appropriate testing and responding to the results. How Do You Remove Arsenic From Well Water? Arsenic treatment should be selected based on test results and the chemistry of the water rather than choosing a filter based solely on the contaminant name. Reverse osmosis is one technology that may be used to reduce arsenic in drinking water. Other specialized treatment technologies may also be appropriate depending on the type and concentration of arsenic and other characteristics of the water. Arsenic can occur in different chemical forms, including arsenite, often called arsenic III, and arsenate, often called arsenic V. The form present can affect how well certain treatment methods perform. Other aspects of water chemistry can also influence system selection and performance. That’s why treatment recommendations should be based on a complete understanding of the water rather than assuming one technology is appropriate for every well. Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Arsenic? Reverse osmosis can reduce arsenic under appropriate conditions, but its effectiveness depends on the water chemistry and form of arsenic present. Residential reverse osmosis systems are commonly installed as point-of-use systems beneath a kitchen sink, where they