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PFAS & "Forever Chemicals" in Philadelphia, PA, NJ & DE Drinking Water
What PFAS actually are, what local testing has found in Philadelphia-area water, how 2026 EPA regulatory changes affect you, and what actually reduces PFAS at the tap.
The Basics
What Are PFAS, and Why Do People Call Them "Forever Chemicals"?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of thousands of manmade chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, firefighting foam and countless industrial processes. What makes them different from most contaminants is their chemical bond — one of the strongest in organic chemistry — which means PFAS don't break down naturally in the environment or in the human body. That's the origin of the "forever chemicals" nickname, and it's also why they've turned up so widely in soil, groundwater and surface water across the country, including here in the Philadelphia region.
- You can't see, taste or smell PFAS in water — testing is the only way to know
- They accumulate in the environment and in the body over time rather than breaking down
- The EPA continues to study health effects of long-term PFAS exposure
- Both municipal (city) water and private wells can be affected, for different reasons
Local Data
What Local Testing Actually Shows
The Philadelphia Water Department publicly reports PFAS testing results from its three treatment plants. Levels vary by source, which is exactly why a citywide average doesn't tell you what's coming out of your own tap:
NDBaxter Plant (Delaware River) — all PFAS below detection limits
6.8 pptQueen Lane Plant (Schuylkill River) — PFOA detected
5.6 pptBelmont Plant (Schuylkill River) — PFOA detected
(ppt = parts per trillion; both Schuylkill River plants also reported PFOS and PFBS at low single-digit ppt levels.) If you're on a private well anywhere in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester or Delaware County, PA, South Jersey, or New Castle County, DE, municipal test results don't apply to you at all — well water quality is entirely site-specific, and PFAS contamination near old industrial sites, airports, and fire-training facilities (common sources of firefighting-foam runoff) can be significantly higher than anything reported for city systems. A water test is the only way to know what's actually in your well.
Regulatory Update
What Changed With PFAS Rules in 2026
The EPA finalized the first-ever national drinking water limits for PFAS in 2024, setting an enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion for both PFOA and PFOS. In 2026, the EPA proposed rolling back limits for four other PFAS compounds (PFHxS, PFNA, GenX chemicals, and certain PFAS mixtures) while keeping the 4 ppt PFOA/PFOS standard in place, and proposed extending water utilities' compliance deadline from April 2029 to April 2031.
In practice, that means federal oversight is loosening for some PFAS chemicals just as states are stepping up. New Jersey was among the first states in the country to set its own PFAS drinking water limits, ahead of the federal rule. Delaware released its first statewide PFAS Implementation Plan in March 2026, passed a new law requiring public water systems to notify customers when PFAS is detected, and is launching a free private well testing program later in 2026. The upshot for homeowners: what protection you actually have depends more than ever on your specific state, your utility, and — if you're on a well — on testing your own water rather than assuming federal rules have it covered.
What Actually Works
How to Reduce PFAS Exposure at Home
- Municipal treatment reduces many contaminants but doesn't fully remove PFAS — the Philadelphia Water Department says so directly
- Boiling water does not remove PFAS, and can even concentrate it as water evaporates
- Bottled water is not guaranteed to be PFAS-free either
- Certified reverse osmosis is one of the few home-level treatments proven to substantially reduce PFAS
Our Excalibur Sureflo® Superior reverse osmosis system uses a 6-stage sediment, carbon and membrane filtration process to remove up to 99.5% of contaminants at your kitchen tap — including PFAS, lead, chlorine and chloramines. For whole-house peace of mind, it's often paired with a Chlor-A-Soft® softener or whole-house filtration system, since RO is typically installed at one or two faucets rather than your entire home. See our Reverse Osmosis & Drinking Water page for the full breakdown, or read our Reverse Osmosis FAQ for common questions. The only way to know what your specific water needs is a free in-home water test.
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Learn MoreSources: U.S. EPA (PFAS drinking water regulations, 2024–2026), Philadelphia Water Department PFAS testing data, State of Delaware PFAS Implementation Plan (March 2026). Provided for general information — not a substitute for your own water test or medical advice.
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