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
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.
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 finalized changes. Homeowners should therefore use current EPA and state guidance when interpreting PFAS results.
Should Private Well Owners Test for PFAS?
If you have a private well and have reason to be concerned about PFAS contamination, laboratory testing can tell you whether PFAS are present and at what measured concentrations.
Private household wells generally aren’t regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act in the same way public water systems are. That makes well owners responsible for monitoring their own water quality.
PFAS testing is more specialized than a basic household water analysis. The Virginia Department of Health recommends using appropriate laboratory testing when determining whether a private well contains PFAS.
Clean Water of Virginia can help homeowners begin with a better understanding of water testing and determine when more specialized laboratory analysis may be appropriate.
How Do PFAS Filtration Systems Work?
There isn’t one universal PFAS filtration system that’s right for every home or every PFAS compound.
Three treatment approaches commonly discussed for PFAS reduction are activated carbon, ion exchange, and high-pressure membrane filtration such as reverse osmosis.
Activated carbon works by adsorbing certain contaminants onto the surface of the carbon media. Its effectiveness can depend on the PFAS present, water chemistry, filter design, flow rate, and how long the media remains in service.
Ion exchange uses specialized resin to capture certain charged contaminants from water and can be used for PFAS treatment in appropriate applications.
Reverse osmosis uses a semipermeable membrane to reduce a wide range of dissolved substances. It can be particularly useful as a point-of-use treatment option for drinking and cooking water.
Clean Water of Virginia offers residential water treatment solutions that can be tailored to the home’s water conditions and treatment goals.
Can Reverse Osmosis Remove PFAS From Drinking Water?
Reverse osmosis can reduce many PFAS compounds and is one option homeowners may consider when PFAS have been detected in drinking water.
A point-of-use RO system is typically installed where drinking and cooking water are used, such as beneath a kitchen sink. This allows the system to focus treatment on water that is most likely to be ingested.
Clean Water of Virginia’s reverse osmosis guide explains how residential RO technology works and what homeowners should consider when choosing a system.
The specific PFAS identified, their concentrations, water chemistry, system certification, maintenance schedule, and treatment goals should all be considered before choosing equipment.
Do You Need a Whole-House PFAS Filtration System?
Not necessarily. The best treatment location depends on how water is used and what the testing shows.
For many homeowners, ingestion through drinking water and water used for food preparation is the primary concern. A point-of-use system at the kitchen sink may therefore be appropriate in some situations.
Other homes may benefit from point-of-entry treatment, which treats water as it enters the house. Factors such as PFAS concentrations, household water use, the number of drinking-water locations, and treatment goals should guide that decision.
A customized approach is particularly important for homes with private wells because PFAS may not be the only water quality concern. Clean Water of Virginia’s well water treatment resources explain why testing the complete water profile helps guide treatment decisions.
A PFAS filter isn’t a “set it and forget it” solution. Filters and treatment media require maintenance and replacement. If treatment is installed because testing found PFAS, follow-up testing can help verify that the system is reducing PFAS to the intended level.
How Do You Choose a PFAS Filtration System?
Start with your water rather than starting with a product.
A useful process is:
- Determine your water source. Find out whether you have municipal water or a private well.
- Review available data. Public-water customers can check information provided by their utility or state drinking-water agency.
- Test when appropriate. Private-well owners with PFAS concerns should consider appropriate laboratory testing.
- Identify the PFAS present. Treatment performance can vary among different PFAS compounds.
- Select appropriate treatment. Consider the technology, treatment location, certification, capacity, and maintenance requirements.
- Maintain the system. Replace filters or media according to the system’s requirements.
- Verify performance. When PFAS treatment is installed in response to known contamination, follow-up testing helps confirm that the treatment is working.
This approach helps avoid purchasing a generic filter without knowing whether it’s appropriate for the PFAS and concentrations present in your water.
Local Authority: PFAS in Virginia and West Virginia Water
PFAS monitoring isn’t just a national issue. Virginia and West Virginia agencies have been actively evaluating PFAS in drinking-water sources.
Virginia’s Office of Drinking Water works with public water systems on PFAS monitoring, while the Virginia Department of Health also provides PFAS guidance specifically for private-well owners.
West Virginia has conducted statewide sampling of public source waters and passed the PFAS Protection Act to help identify and address PFAS sources affecting public drinking water. State data have documented PFAS detections in some West Virginia raw and finished water sources.
For homeowners throughout the Shenandoah Valley, Winchester area, and Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, the important takeaway isn’t that PFAS are present in every water supply. It’s that water conditions can vary by source and location.
Testing and reliable local water information allow treatment decisions to be based on evidence instead of assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions About PFAS in Drinking Water
What are PFAS in drinking water?
Why are PFAS called forever chemicals?
Can a water filter remove PFAS?
Does reverse osmosis remove PFAS?
Should private well owners test for PFAS?
Start With Your Water, Not the Headlines
PFAS are an important water-quality concern, but homeowners don’t need to guess about what’s coming from their tap.
If you’re concerned about PFAS in drinking water, start by understanding your water source and reviewing available testing information. For private wells or situations where more information is needed, specialized laboratory testing can identify whether PFAS are present.
If testing finds PFAS, treatment technologies including activated carbon, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis may help reduce exposure. The right PFAS filtration system depends on what’s actually in the water, how the household uses that water, and the level of treatment needed.
Clean Water of Virginia can help homeowners evaluate their water concerns and determine the next appropriate step. Schedule a PFAS water assessment to start with the facts about your home’s water.
