Not all home water filters remove ‘forever chemicals.’ How to find one that does
More than 80,000 people in Madison County were notified recently that their city’s water exceeded state and federal limits for PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” the last time it was tested.
Environment oversight agencies only recently took action to regulate PFAS by setting limits on their presence in drinking water. They will begin enforcing those limits with violations and fines in 2029.
In the meantime, water utilities are starting to upgrade their treatment process to remove PFAS if they have elevated levels so they can be compliant in four years time.
You can begin filtering the chemicals from your water now, however, by following these tips from the country’s top environment oversight agency.
PFAS is shorthand for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are synthetic chemicals used to make products that repel oil and water. Human exposure, often through water, has been linked to certain types of cancer, decreased fertility, developmental issues in children, immunity decreases and other health effects, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA states that the types of faucet filters, filtering pitchers and under-the-sink devices able to remove PFAS include:
Charcoal (granular activated carbon or GAC), which uses carbon to trap chemicals as water passes through them
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems, which force water through an extremely thin barrier that separates chemicals from the water
Ion exchange resins, which are tiny beads that act like powerful magnets that attract and hold the contaminated materials from passing through the water system
The EPA suggests verifying that the filter has certification by an independent entity, which tests that it does what the manufacturer says it should.
Check the product packaging for certification to “NSF/ANSI 53” or “NSF/ANSI 58” for PFAS reduction, according to the EPA.
The certification body’s mark will usually be on the packaging, too. Or you can check the certification body’s product directory website.
American National Standards Institute-accredited third-party certification bodies include:
As of April 2024, filter certifications focused on removing two specific types of PFAS chemicals: perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, or PFOS.
April 2024 is when the EPA set limits on the amount of certain PFAS allowed in drinking water.
The agency has said people face health risks with any level of exposure to PFOA and PFOS.
This story was originally published May 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM.