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PFAS concern carried
Wilmington, NC · PFAS · forever chemicals

Is There PFAS in Wilmington Tap Water?

Wilmington, NC: PFPeA 4.4 ng/L detected (no federal or state limit) in 2024 testing. Every PFAS result and filter certifications per compound.

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

1 of 29 PFAS detected

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

  • PFPeANo limit
    Perfluoropentanoic acid
    4.4ng/L

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

    Detected, no limit · sampled 2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03Evidence
All 29 compounds in this record
  • PFOAMCL
    Not detected
  • PFOSMCL
    Not detected
  • PFHxSMCL
    Not detected
  • PFNAMCL
    Not detected
  • HFPO-DA (GenX)MCL
    Not detected
  • PFPeA
    4.4 ng/L
  • 11Cl-PF3OUdS
    Not detected
  • 4:2 FTS
    Not detected
  • 6:2 FTS
    Not detected
  • 8:2 FTS
    Not detected
  • 9Cl-PF3ONS
    Not detected
  • ADONA
    Not detected
  • NEtFOSAA
    Not detected
  • NFDHA
    Not detected
  • NMeFOSAA
    Not detected
  • PFBA
    Not detected
  • PFBS
    Not detected
  • PFDA
    Not detected
  • PFDoA
    Not detected
  • PFEESA
    Not detected
  • PFHpA
    Not detected
  • PFHpS
    Not detected
  • PFHxA
    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 CFPUA-WILMINGTON (PWSID NC0465010), Wilmington, NC
ContaminantResultLimitStatusSampledSource
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)4.4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyDetected, no limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)< 5 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)Not detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)< 6 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)< 20 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)< 3 ng/L2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limitNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)< 3 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)Not detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)< 3 ng/L400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)Not detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)< 4 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)Not detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)Not detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)Not detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)< 8 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)< 7 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparencyNot detected above the reporting limit2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03UCMR5 Analytical Results: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)
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 Wilmington sitsNot on the stripWilmington’s PFOS result was below the lab’s reporting limit.
In North Carolina
58of 127 city reports

have a regulated PFAS above the federal limit.

PFAS across North Carolina →
What this record covers
  • CFPUA-WILMINGTON's water system as a whole, as reported to EPA UCMR 5.
  • 29 PFAS compounds, each with its own result.
  • Samples taken 2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03.
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
  • PFPeA · detected, no federal or state limit
No product in our catalogue has verified certification for these concerns yet.
Questions

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Is there PFAS in Wilmington tap water?

In EPA's UCMR 5 testing of CFPUA-WILMINGTON (2023-12-05 to 2024-09-03): PFPeA 4.4 ng/L (no federal or state limit) and the other 28 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: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)US EPA · 2026-01-15View source ↗
  • State SDWIS Compliance RecordLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: CFPUA-WILMINGTON (NC0465010)US EPA SDWIS · 2026-07-09View source ↗
  • Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)Cape Fear Public Utility Authority — CFPUA-Wilmington Water System 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)Cape Fear Public Utility Authority — CFPUA-Wilmington Water System · 2025-01-01View source ↗