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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Matched to what EPA's records actually show for CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION (grade B, 84/100) — not to what sells.
EPA SDWIS/ECHO 2026Q2 · UCMR5 (2023–2026, July 2026 release) · SYR4 six-year review 2012–2019 · Full Paso Robles water quality report · Methodology
Reverse osmosis (PFAS at or above the federal limit). EPA's UCMR5 sampling of CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. RO removes both long- and short-chain PFAS; a carbon block certified for PFOA/PFOS is the lower-cost option for PFOA/PFOS-only detections, provided cartridges are changed on schedule.
Based on EPA records for CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION, yes: reverse osmosis (pfas at or above the federal limit) is the first fix (see the evidence table above).
Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58). It is the only common household technology that removes PFAS at the levels found.
CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION's latest Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile result was 0 ppb (2023-01-01 to 2025-12-31), below the 15 ppb action level. Lead enters from service lines and home plumbing, so test at the tap if your home is older.
Yes. UCMR5 sampling (2024-12-04 to 2025-10-02) detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt MCL. RO and PFOA/PFOS-certified carbon filters reduce them.
Look for: NSF/ANSI 58 (RO) or NSF/ANSI 53 with a PFOA/PFOS claim (formerly NSF P473)
EPA's UCMR5 sampling of CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION detected PFBA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxA, PFHxS, PFOA, PFPeA, with PFOA or PFOS at or above the 4 ppt federal MCL. RO removes both long- and short-chain PFAS; a carbon block certified for PFOA/PFOS is the lower-cost option for PFOA/PFOS-only detections, provided cartridges are changed on schedule.
| Evidence | Result | EPA limit | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA | 6.1 ppt (max of 26 results, 1 detect) | no federal MCL | 2024-12-04 → 2025-10-02 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
| PFBS | 8.1 ppt (max of 26 results, 5 detects) | no federal MCL | 2024-12-04 → 2025-10-02 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
| PFHpA | 6.3 ppt (max of 26 results, 2 detects) | no federal MCL | 2024-12-04 → 2025-10-02 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
| PFHxA | 20 ppt (max of 26 results, 2 detects) | no federal MCL | 2024-12-04 → 2025-10-02 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
| PFHxS | 5.2 ppt (max of 26 results, 5 detects) | 10 ppt | 2024-12-04 → 2025-10-02 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
| PFOA | 6.3 ppt (max of 26 results, 2 detects) | 4 ppt | 2024-12-04 → 2025-10-02 | EPA UCMR5 (July 2026 release) |
Look for: Certified lab (Tap Score)
Utility data describes water leaving CITY OF PASO ROBLES WATER DIVISION. Lead, copper and some PFAS enter between the main and your faucet, so a mail-in lab test is the only way to know what your household actually drinks — and the cheapest way to avoid buying a filter you do not need.
Rows are the contaminants EPA data actually flags for Paso Robles. ✓ removes (when certified) · ◐ only specific certified models or media · ✗ does not remove.
| Removes | Pitcher | Under-sink carbon | Reverse osmosis |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS (PFOA/PFOS and short-chain) | ◐ | ◐ | ✓ |
| Chlorine taste and odor | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Typical cost | typically $25–$50 + filters | typically $40–$150 | typically $150–$400 |
| Install | none (renters) | under the sink, ~15 min | under sink + faucet; drain line |
| Certification to look for | NSF/ANSI 42 / 53 | NSF/ANSI 42 / 53 | NSF/ANSI 58 |
| Verified picks | ZeroWater 10-cup · Brita Elite · Waterdrop pitchers | Waterdrop TSA · Waterdrop 10UA | APEC ROES-50 · Waterdrop tankless RO |
Cost ranges are typical retail prices, not quotes. Removal marks describe the filter class when certified for that contaminant — always check the NSF/ANSI listing of the exact cartridge. Full pitcher vs under-sink vs faucet comparison →
A certified mail-in lab test shows exactly what's in your water — pfas plus dozens of other contaminants — with EPA-grade accuracy. Know your real levels before spending on a filter.
Certified lab · results in days
PFOA or PFOS was measured at or above EPA's 4 ppt limit in Paso Robles's UCMR5 sampling.
Most Popular for PFAS
Reverse osmosis systems for PFAS
Waterdrop RO collection · direct from the manufacturer
Reverse osmosis is the most thorough filtration class against PFAS — browse Waterdrop RO systems and check each model’s own tested claims.
Shop Reverse Osmosis Systems →Or a specific pick on Amazon
Waterdrop 3-Stage Under-Sink
Lab-tested against PFAS "forever chemicals" — installs under the sink in minutes and costs far less than RO.
Check Price on Amazon →Whole-Home Filtration System
Whole-house system — treats every tap at the source
For consistently poor water, a whole-home system filters every faucet, shower, and appliance — the permanent, install-once fix that goes beyond a single point-of-use filter.
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