PFAS concern carried

Birmingham, AL · PFAS · forever chemicals

Is There PFAS in Birmingham Tap Water?

Q: Is there PFAS in Birmingham tap water?

In EPA's UCMR 5 testing of CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19): 6:2 FTS 5.8 ng/L (no federal or state limit), PFBA 6.1 ng/L (no federal or state limit), PFBS 7.9 ng/L (EPA health advisory 2,000), PFHxA 8.5 ng/L (state limit 400,000), PFPeA 11.3 ng/L (no federal or state limit) and the other 24 PFAS tested not detected. "Not detected" means below the lab's reporting limit, not proven zero.

Q: What are the federal PFAS limits?

EPA's 2024 drinking-water rule set maximum contaminant levels of 4.0 ng/L for PFOA and for PFOS, and 10 ng/L for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX). In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping the PFOA and PFOS limits, with the option of until 2031 to comply, and rescinding the other three. Until a final rule, all five limits apply. Results above them today are above the limits in force.

Q: How do I remove PFAS from my tap water?

Reverse-osmosis systems and filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS reduction are the proven options at the tap. Check the certifier's listing (NSF, WQA or IAPMO) for the exact model, and replace cartridges on schedule.

Birmingham, AL: PFBS 7.9 ng/L detected, below the 2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory, in 2024 testing. Every PFAS result and filter certifications per compound.

Full Birmingham water report Treatment for PFAS

The measurements · EPA UCMR 5

5 of 29 PFAS detected

Each result is read against its own reference. None of the detected compounds has a federal limit. 6:2 FTS, PFBA and PFPeA have no federal or state limit and are shown for transparency, not graded.

PFBSEPA health advisory
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
7.9ng/L
02,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)
Detected, below its EPA health advisory · sampled 2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19Evidence
PFHxAState MCL · Michigan
Perfluorohexanoic acid
8.5ng/L
0400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)
Detected, below its state limit · sampled 2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19Evidence
PFPeANo limit
Perfluoropentanoic acid
11.3ng/L
No federal or state limit: shown for transparency, not graded.
Detected, no limit · sampled 2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19Evidence
PFBANo limit
Perfluorobutanoic acid
6.1ng/L
No federal or state limit: shown for transparency, not graded.
Detected, no limit · sampled 2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19Evidence
6:2 FTSNo limit
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
5.8ng/L
No federal or state limit: shown for transparency, not graded.
Detected, no limit · sampled 2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19Evidence

All 29 compounds in this record

PFOAMCL
Not detected
PFOSMCL
Not detected
PFHxSMCL
Not detected
PFNAMCL
Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)MCL
Not detected
PFBS
7.9 ng/L
PFHxA
8.5 ng/L
6:2 FTS
5.8 ng/L
PFBA
6.1 ng/L
PFPeA
11.3 ng/L
11Cl-PF3OUdS
Not detected
4:2 FTS
Not detected
8:2 FTS
Not detected
9Cl-PF3ONS
Not detected
ADONA
Not detected
NEtFOSAA
Not detected
NFDHA
Not detected
NMeFOSAA
Not detected
PFDA
Not detected
PFDoA
Not detected
PFEESA
Not detected
PFHpA
Not detected
PFHpS
Not detected
PFMBA
Not detected
PFMPA
Not detected
PFPeS
Not detected
PFTA
Not detected
PFTrDA
Not detected
PFUnA
Not detected

MCL marks the 5 PFAS given a federal limit in EPA's 2024 rule. EPA has proposed rescinding three of those limits; they apply until a final rule.

Results as a table29 results with limit, status, sample date and source

PFAS results for CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (PWSID AL0000738), Birmingham, AL
Contaminant	Result	Limit	Status	Sampled	Source
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)	7.9 ng/L	2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit	Within the referenced health-based guidance value	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)	8.5 ng/L	400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)	Within a historical reference; current applicability unverified	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)	5.8 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Detected, no limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)	6.1 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Detected, no limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)	11.3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Detected, no limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)	< 5 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)	< 5 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)	< 2 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)	< 5 ng/L	10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)	< 5 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)	< 6 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)	< 20 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)	< 4 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)	< 3 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)	< 3 ng/L	10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)	< 4 ng/L	10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)	< 4 ng/L	4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)	< 4 ng/L	4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)	< 4 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)	< 8 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)	< 7 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)	< 2 ng/L	No federal or state limit; shown for transparency	Not detected above the reporting limit	2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19	UCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)

How this compares

PFOS across 764 cities with a detected value

4 ng/L federal MCL (2024)

3,396 more were below the lab's 4 ng/L reporting limit and aren't plotted, and 34 have no result on record. 66 cities above 25 ng/L are grouped in the last bar. A position here is not a verdict on the water.

Where Birmingham sitsNot on the stripBirmingham’s PFOS result was below the lab’s reporting limit.

In Alabama

48of 129 city reports

have a regulated PFAS above the federal limit.

PFAS across Alabama →

What this record covers

CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER's water system as a whole, as reported to EPA UCMR 5.
29 PFAS compounds, each with its own result.
Samples taken 2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19.

What is unknown

The water at your tap. Building plumbing isn't in this record.
PFAS not listed in the 29 above were not reported in these records.
Levels since the last sample have not been published.

How to test your tap water at home →

Treatment capabilities that apply

Test first, then match a certified method.

A tap test can confirm levels at your home before you choose treatment.

How to test your tap Compare treatment technologies

Identified concerns

PFBS · detected below the limit
PFHxA · detected below the limit
6:2 FTS · detected, no federal or state limit
PFBA · detected, no federal or state limit
PFPeA · detected, no federal or state limit

No product in our catalogue has verified certification for these concerns yet.

Questions

Frequently asked

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Is there PFAS in Birmingham tap water?

In EPA's UCMR 5 testing of CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (2024-08-21 to 2025-05-19): 6:2 FTS 5.8 ng/L (no federal or state limit), PFBA 6.1 ng/L (no federal or state limit), PFBS 7.9 ng/L (EPA health advisory 2,000), PFHxA 8.5 ng/L (state limit 400,000), PFPeA 11.3 ng/L (no federal or state limit) and the other 24 PFAS tested not detected. "Not detected" means below the lab's reporting limit, not proven zero.

What are the federal PFAS limits?

EPA's 2024 drinking-water rule set maximum contaminant levels of 4.0 ng/L for PFOA and for PFOS, and 10 ng/L for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX). In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping the PFOA and PFOS limits, with the option of until 2031 to comply, and rescinding the other three. Until a final rule, all five limits apply. Results above them today are above the limits in force.

How do I remove PFAS from my tap water?

Reverse-osmosis systems and filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS reduction are the proven options at the tap. Check the certifier's listing (NSF, WQA or IAPMO) for the exact model, and replace cartridges on schedule.

Sources

UCMR5 Analytical ResultsUCMR5 Analytical Results: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)US EPA · 2026-01-15View source ↗
State SDWIS Compliance RecordLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: CENTRAL ALABAMA WATER (AL0000738)US EPA SDWIS · 2026-07-09View source ↗