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PFAS concern carried
Houston, TX · PFAS · forever chemicals

Is There PFAS in Houston Tap Water?

Houston, TX: PFHxA 5.1 ng/L detected, below the 400,000 ng/L state limit, in 2024 testing. Every PFAS result and filter certifications per compound.

Full Houston water reportTreatment for PFAS
The measurements · EPA UCMR 5

4 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.

  • PFHxAState MCL · Michigan
    Perfluorohexanoic acid
    5.1ng/L
    0400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)
    Detected, below its state limit · sampled 2023-02-06 to 2025-02-21Evidence
  • 6:2 FTSNo limit
    1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid
    42.6ng/L

    No federal or state limit: shown for transparency, not graded.

    Detected, no limit · sampled 2023-02-06 to 2025-02-21Evidence
  • PFBANo limit
    Perfluorobutanoic acid
    10.6ng/L

    No federal or state limit: shown for transparency, not graded.

    Detected, no limit · sampled 2023-02-06 to 2025-02-21Evidence
  • PFPeANo limit
    Perfluoropentanoic acid
    6.7ng/L

    No federal or state limit: shown for transparency, not graded.

    Detected, no limit · sampled 2023-02-06 to 2025-02-21Evidence
All 29 compounds in this record
  • PFOAMCL
    Not detected
  • PFOSMCL
    Not detected
  • PFHxSMCL
    Not detected
  • PFNAMCL
    Not detected
  • HFPO-DA (GenX)MCL
    Not detected
  • PFHxA
    5.1 ng/L
  • 6:2 FTS
    42.6 ng/L
  • PFBA
    10.6 ng/L
  • PFPeA
    6.7 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
  • PFBS
    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.

How this compares

PFOS across 681 cities with a detected value

3,077 more were below the lab's 4 ng/L reporting limit and aren't plotted, and 34 have no result on record. 63 cities above 25 ng/L are grouped in the last bar. A position here is not a verdict on the water.

Where Houston sitsNot on the stripHouston’s PFOS result was below the lab’s reporting limit.
In Texas
67of 364 city reports

have a regulated PFAS above the federal limit.

PFAS across Texas →
What this record covers
  • CITY OF HOUSTON's water system as a whole, as reported to EPA UCMR 5.
  • 29 PFAS compounds, each with its own result.
  • Samples taken 2023-02-06 to 2025-02-21.
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 tapCompare treatment technologies
Identified concerns
  • 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 Houston tap water?

In EPA's UCMR 5 testing of CITY OF HOUSTON (2023-02-06 to 2025-02-21): 6:2 FTS 42.6 ng/L (no federal or state limit), PFBA 10.6 ng/L (no federal or state limit), PFHxA 5.1 ng/L (state limit 400,000), PFPeA 6.7 ng/L (no federal or state limit) and the other 25 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: CITY OF HOUSTON (TX1010013)US EPA · 2026-01-15View source ↗
  • State SDWIS Compliance RecordLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: CITY OF HOUSTON (TX1010013)US EPA SDWIS · 2026-07-09View source ↗
  • Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)City of Houston 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)City of Houston · 2025-01-01View source ↗