Oakland, CA · PFAS · forever chemicals
Is There PFAS in Oakland Tap Water?
Oakland, CA: PFHxA 3.5 ng/L detected, below the 400,000 ng/L state limit, in 2024 testing. Every PFAS result and filter certifications per compound.
The measurements · EPA UCMR 5
2 of 29 PFAS detected
Each result is read against its own reference. None of the detected compounds has a federal limit. PFBA has no federal or state limit and is shown for transparency, not graded.
- PFHxAState MCL · MichiganPerfluorohexanoic acid3.5ng/LDetected, below its state limit · sampled 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18Evidence
- PFBANo limitPerfluorobutanoic acid5.2ng/L
No federal or state limit: shown for transparency, not graded.
Detected, no limit · sampled 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18Evidence
All 29 compounds in this record
- PFOAMCLNot detected
- PFOSMCLNot detected
- PFHxSMCLNot detected
- PFNAMCLNot detected
- HFPO-DA (GenX)MCLNot detected
- PFHxA3.5 ng/L
- PFBA5.2 ng/L
- 11Cl-PF3OUdSNot detected
- 4:2 FTSNot detected
- 6:2 FTSNot detected
- 8:2 FTSNot detected
- 9Cl-PF3ONSNot detected
- ADONANot detected
- NEtFOSAANot detected
- NFDHANot detected
- NMeFOSAANot detected
- PFBSNot detected
- PFDANot detected
- PFDoANot detected
- PFEESANot detected
- PFHpANot detected
- PFHpSNot detected
- PFMBANot detected
- PFMPANot detected
- PFPeANot detected
- PFPeSNot detected
- PFTANot detected
- PFTrDANot detected
- PFUnANot 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
| Contaminant | Result | Limit | Status | Sampled | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) | 3.5 ng/L | 400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state) | Within a historical reference; current applicability unverified | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) | 5.2 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Detected, no limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| 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 | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| 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 | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| 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 | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS) | < 5 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| 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 | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals) | < 5 ng/L | 10 ng/L federal MCL (2024) | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA) | < 5 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-25 to 2025-12-16 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA) | < 6 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-25 to 2025-12-16 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA) | < 20 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA) | < 4 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) | < 3 ng/L | 2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) | < 3 ng/L | 10 ng/L federal MCL (2024) | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) | < 4 ng/L | 10 ng/L federal MCL (2024) | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) | < 4 ng/L | 4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024) | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) | < 4 ng/L | 4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024) | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS) | < 4 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | < 3 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) | < 8 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-25 to 2025-12-16 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA) | < 7 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-25 to 2025-12-16 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) | < 2 ng/L | No federal or state limit; shown for transparency | Not detected above the reporting limit | 2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18 | UCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005) |
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 Oakland sitsNot on the stripOakland’s PFOS result was below the lab’s reporting limit.
In California
112of 400 city reports
have a regulated PFAS above the federal limit.
PFAS across California →What this record covers
- EAST BAY MUD's water system as a whole, as reported to EPA UCMR 5.
- 29 PFAS compounds, each with its own result.
- Samples taken 2023-04-04 to 2025-12-16.
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.
Treatment capabilities that apply
Test first, then match a certified method.
A tap test can confirm levels at your home before you choose treatment.
Identified concerns
- PFHxA · detected below the limit
- PFBA · detected, no federal or state limit
- Reverse osmosisOpen the method →
- Activated carbon (GAC)Open the method →
- Anion exchangeOpen the method →
No product in our catalogue has verified certification for these concerns yet.
Questions
Frequently asked
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Is there PFAS in Oakland tap water?
In EPA's UCMR 5 testing of EAST BAY MUD (2023-04-04 to 2025-11-18): PFBA 5.2 ng/L (no federal or state limit), PFHxA 3.5 ng/L (state limit 400,000) and the other 27 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.
- UCMR5 Analytical ResultsUCMR5 Analytical Results: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005)US EPA · 2026-01-15View source ↗
- State SDWIS Compliance RecordLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: EAST BAY MUD (CA0110005)US EPA SDWIS · 2026-07-09View source ↗
- Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)East Bay Municipal Utility District 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)East Bay Municipal Utility District · 2025-01-01View source ↗