How Do I Test My Water for PFAS?

Start with your water utility. The EPA says people on a public water system should ask their local utility how it is addressing PFAS and whether it has tested, and that anyone testing their own water should use a state-certified laboratory that uses EPA-developed testing methods.

Those methods are EPA Method 533 and Method 537.1, which government and private laboratories can use to measure 29 PFAS in drinking water, and which are the approved methods under the EPA’s PFAS drinking water regulation. The EPA does not regulate private wells, but advises regular testing and contacting your state environmental or health agency for a list of certified labs.

If a private well has PFAS, the EPA says to compare the results with your state’s standards, or with its health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS if your state has none, and to contact your state agency and local utility if you are still concerned. If you choose a filter, the EPA says to get one certified to remove or reduce PFAS, noting that as of April 2024 certifications focused on PFOA and PFOS.

Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.

The sources behind this answer

  • Government sourceThe EPA says people on a public water system should ask their local utility about PFAS testing, and anyone testing their own water should use a state-certified laboratory using EPA-developed methods. US EPA ↗
  • Government sourceThe EPA does not regulate private wells, but advises regular well testing and contacting your state environmental or health agency for a list of state-certified laboratories. US EPA ↗
  • Government sourceFor private well results, the EPA says to compare them with state standards or, where a state has none, with its health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS. US EPA ↗
  • Government sourceThe EPA says that with its Methods 533 and 537.1, government and private laboratories can effectively measure 29 PFAS in drinking water. US EPA ↗
  • Regulatory filingThe EPA says Methods 537.1 and 533 were promulgated as the approved methods to monitor PFAS under its PFAS drinking water regulation. US EPA ↗
  • Government sourceThe EPA advises choosing a filter certified to remove or reduce PFAS, and said that as of April 2024 filter certifications focused on PFOA and PFOS. US EPA ↗

Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.

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