More Americans than ever are learning that the water coming from their taps may not be safe.
The latest round of federal testing has revealed a troubling reality: an additional 7 million Americans are now confirmed to have PFAS in drinking water, raising the national total to more than 172 million people at risk.
These findings come from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ongoing review of the nation’s water supplies, underscoring the widespread reach of toxic chemicals that refuse to break down in the environment.
David Andrews, PhD, acting chief science officer at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), highlighted the significance of the findings: “The EPA’s latest report confirms what scientists have feared: PFAS contamination is a public health disaster.
“Drinking water is a major source of PFAS exposure. The sheer number of contaminated sites shows that these chemicals are likely present in most of the US water supply.”
PFAS and why they matter
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of manufactured chemicals often called ‘forever chemicals’ because of their persistence in the environment and human body.
Once released, they do not degrade naturally and can accumulate in water, soil, wildlife, and people.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found PFAS in the blood of nearly every American tested, including infants, reflecting just how pervasive these chemicals have become.
Even at extremely low levels, exposure has been linked to immune system suppression, certain cancers, impaired foetal development, and reduced vaccine effectiveness.
What the new EPA tests uncovered
The results stem from the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5), a nationwide programme requiring water utilities to test for 29 different PFAS compounds.
This new data confirmed contamination at more than 200 additional locations across the country. EWG has created an interactive map of the contamination sites nationwide.
While the monitoring effort is still underway, the EPA has stated it will continue releasing findings in stages over the coming months.
Each new data set adds to mounting evidence that PFAS contamination is not isolated but instead a systemic water safety issue affecting every corner of the United States.
Regulatory rollbacks put protections at risk
Despite the growing body of evidence about their dangers, the EPA has announced plans to roll back drinking water standards for four PFAS chemicals, leaving only two of the most well-known – PFOA and PFOS – subject to federal limits.
These limits, known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), set enforceable thresholds for the amount of a substance allowed in tap water.
By weakening standards for other PFAS, EWG experts warn it may become harder to hold polluters accountable and ensure safe drinking water.
Critics argue the move may conflict with the Safe Drinking Water Act’s ‘anti-backsliding’ provision, which requires federal standards to maintain or increase protections for public health rather than reduce them.
Industrial sources and widespread pollution
One of the largest contributors to PFAS in drinking water is industrial pollution.
An estimated 30,000 facilities in the US are believed to release PFAS into the environment, often directly into rivers, lakes, or groundwater sources that supply communities with drinking water.
PFAS have historically been used in everything from nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing to firefighting foams and food packaging.
Without stronger restrictions on industrial discharges, contamination is expected to continue spreading.
What this means for communities
For many households, concerns about PFAS in drinking water are no longer hypothetical – they are a reality.
Families are now forced to consider home water filters as a defence, though experts caution that filters must be properly maintained and regularly replaced to remain effective.
Public health advocates stress that responsibility should not fall on individual consumers.
Instead, they call for comprehensive action from the federal government to reduce pollution at the source, enforce stronger standards, and clean up existing contamination.
The path forward
As more UCMR 5 results are released, the true scale of PFAS in drinking water will become clearer.
The latest data already shows that nearly half the US population could be drinking contaminated water, making this one of the most urgent environmental health crises.
Without decisive federal action, families across the nation may continue to face exposure to toxic chemicals every time they turn on the tap.
