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Persistent synthetic chemicals linked to cancer and immune damage. Below are US cities ranked by their measured PFAS levels compared to EPA limits. Higher percentages indicate greater concern.
Vulnerable Populations: Pregnant women, infants, and immunocompromised individuals at highest risk. PFAS crosses the placenta and is in breast milk.
Ranked by percentage of the EPA limit, using one real EPA measurement per water system (UCMR5 2023–2026). Click any city for its full report.
Figure shown is the highest UCMR5 result for the regulated PFAS compound closest to (or above) its MCL. 0 ppt = no regulated PFAS above the reporting limit (≈3–5 ppt), not proven zero.
| Rank | City | State | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Norwalk | California | 59.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-03 → 2024-05-16 | 4.000 ppt | 1475.0% | Exceeds Limit | 72,624 |
| #2 | Bellflower | California | 59.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-03 → 2024-05-16 | 4.000 ppt | 1475.0% | Exceeds Limit | 72,624 |
| #3 | Tempe | Arizona | 55.800 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-13 → 2025-03-18 | 4.000 ppt | 1395.0% | Exceeds Limit | 165,000 |
| #4 | Montebello | California | 53.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-29 → 2024-10-09 | 4.000 ppt | 1325.0% | Exceeds Limit | 26,554 |
| #5 | Augusta | Georgia | 51.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-06-22 → 2024-03-18 | 4.000 ppt | 1275.0% | Exceeds Limit | 204,000 |
| #6 | Key West | Florida | 50.300 pptPFOS max | 2023-09-11 → 2024-04-30 | 4.000 ppt | 1257.5% | Exceeds Limit | 86,000 |
| #7 | North Miami | Florida | 45.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-12 → 2024-01-29 | 4.000 ppt | 1125.0% | Exceeds Limit | 89,349 |
| #8 | Downey | California | 44.000 pptPFOS max | 2025-01-14 → 2025-07-01 | 4.000 ppt | 1100.0% | Exceeds Limit | 110,556 |
| #9 | Payson | Arizona | 42.200 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-27 → 2024-05-20 | 4.000 ppt | 1055.0% | Exceeds Limit | 17,682 |
| #10 | Sacramento | California | 41.400 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-21 → 2024-05-15 | 4.000 ppt | 1035.0% | Exceeds Limit | 527,979 |
| #11 | Clovis | California | 41.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-02-16 → 2024-05-16 | 4.000 ppt | 1025.0% | Exceeds Limit | 130,130 |
| #12 | Ocala | Florida | 39.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-01-09 → 2024-07-09 | 4.000 ppt | 975.0% | Exceeds Limit | 66,449 |
| #13 | Natick | Massachusetts | 37.300 pptPFOS max | 2024-12-16 → 2025-06-11 | 4.000 ppt | 932.5% | Exceeds Limit | 37,006 |
| #14 | Lauderhill | Florida | 37.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-05-19 → 2023-11-03 | 4.000 ppt | 925.0% | Exceeds Limit | 55,000 |
| #15 | Tarpon Springs | Florida | 36.900 pptPFOS max | 2023-02-21 → 2023-09-28 | 4.000 ppt | 922.5% | Exceeds Limit | 28,875 |
| #16 | Georgetown | Delaware | 36.000 pptPFOA max | 2025-03-05 → 2025-10-22 | 4.000 ppt | 900.0% | Exceeds Limit | 7,259 |
| #17 | Pensacola | Florida | 35.700 pptPFOS max | 2023-04-17 → 2024-09-04 | 4.000 ppt | 892.5% | Exceeds Limit | 242,172 |
| #18 | Greensboro | North Carolina | 35.600 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-18 → 2024-04-23 | 4.000 ppt | 890.0% | Exceeds Limit | 319,588 |
| #19 | Pembroke Pines | Florida | 34.700 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-15 → 2023-09-11 | 4.000 ppt | 867.5% | Exceeds Limit | 187,459 |
| #20 | Columbus | Georgia | 33.900 pptPFOA max | 2024-02-21 → 2024-10-08 | 4.000 ppt | 847.5% | Exceeds Limit | 229,000 |
| #21 | Miami | Florida | 33.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-11-08 → 2024-05-15 | 4.000 ppt | 825.0% | Exceeds Limit | 2,377,460 |
| #22 | Gadsden | Alabama | 32.400 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-12 → 2024-04-02 | 4.000 ppt | 810.0% | Exceeds Limit | 44,637 |
| #23 | Riviera Beach | Florida | 31.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-09-11 → 2025-03-17 | 4.000 ppt | 775.0% | Exceeds Limit | 46,762 |
| #24 | Fresno | California | 30.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-01 → 2025-12-16 | 4.000 ppt | 750.0% | Exceeds Limit | 545,716 |
| #25 | Ontario | California | 30.000 pptPFOA max | 2023-02-01 → 2024-02-28 | 4.000 ppt | 750.0% | Exceeds Limit | 185,010 |
| #26 | Pico Rivera | California | 30.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-02-28 → 2024-08-28 | 4.000 ppt | 750.0% | Exceeds Limit | 40,600 |
| #27 | Anaheim | California | 29.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-14 → 2026-04-27 | 4.000 ppt | 725.0% | Exceeds Limit | 348,593 |
| #28 | North Lauderdale | Florida | 29.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-01-17 → 2023-10-16 | 4.000 ppt | 725.0% | Exceeds Limit | 35,709 |
| #29 | Delray Beach | Florida | 28.700 pptPFOS max | 2023-04-18 → 2023-10-10 | 4.000 ppt | 717.5% | Exceeds Limit | 69,754 |
| #30 | Garden City | Idaho | 28.200 pptPFOS max | 2024-04-30 → 2024-10-14 | 4.000 ppt | 705.0% | Exceeds Limit | 12,500 |
| #31 | Stockton | California | 28.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-02-28 → 2025-12-02 | 4.000 ppt | 700.0% | Exceeds Limit | 191,302 |
| #32 | Margate | Florida | 27.700 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-26 → 2024-08-20 | 4.000 ppt | 692.5% | Exceeds Limit | 62,254 |
| #33 | Hialeah | Florida | 27.600 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-26 → 2024-08-20 | 4.000 ppt | 690.0% | Exceeds Limit | 238,000 |
| #34 | Coconut Creek | Florida | 27.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-11-15 → 2024-05-13 | 4.000 ppt | 675.0% | Exceeds Limit | 54,000 |
| #35 | Hallandale Beach | Florida | 27.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-01-20 → 2023-12-15 | 4.000 ppt | 675.0% | Exceeds Limit | 40,000 |
| #36 | Modesto | California | 26.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-11-16 → 2024-09-12 | 4.000 ppt | 650.0% | Exceeds Limit | 218,771 |
| #37 | Boynton Beach | Florida | 26.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-09-26 → 2024-04-23 | 4.000 ppt | 650.0% | Exceeds Limit | 112,000 |
| #38 | Homestead | Florida | 26.000 pptPFOS max | 2025-03-31 → 2025-09-23 | 4.000 ppt | 650.0% | Exceeds Limit | 80,000 |
| #39 | Pleasanton | California | 26.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-08-20 → 2025-05-15 | 4.000 ppt | 650.0% | Exceeds Limit | 76,689 |
| #40 | South Gate | California | 26.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-08 → 2024-01-17 | 4.000 ppt | 650.0% | Exceeds Limit | 76,443 |
| #41 | Newark | Delaware | 25.300 pptPFOA max | 2023-03-14 → 2023-12-06 | 4.000 ppt | 632.5% | Exceeds Limit | 40,000 |
| #42 | Apopka | Florida | 24.800 pptPFOS max | 2024-03-11 → 2024-09-19 | 4.000 ppt | 620.0% | Exceeds Limit | 71,917 |
| #43 | Miami Beach | Florida | 24.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-17 → 2024-02-05 | 4.000 ppt | 600.0% | Exceeds Limit | 100,000 |
| #44 | Great Bend | Kansas | 60.000 pptPFHxS max | 2023-10-11 → 2024-05-13 | 10.000 ppt | 600.0% | Exceeds Limit | 14,580 |
| #45 | Lynwood | California | 23.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-09-12 → 2025-06-26 | 4.000 ppt | 575.0% | Exceeds Limit | 66,967 |
| #46 | Porterville | California | 23.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-05-15 → 2023-11-20 | 4.000 ppt | 575.0% | Exceeds Limit | 63,487 |
| #47 | Huntington Park | California | 23.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-01-10 → 2025-03-05 | 4.000 ppt | 575.0% | Exceeds Limit | 15,437 |
| #48 | Prattville | Alabama | 22.800 pptPFOS max | 2024-08-28 → 2026-03-19 | 4.000 ppt | 570.0% | Exceeds Limit | 46,614 |
| #49 | Chico | California | 22.500 pptPFOS max | 2023-09-18 → 2024-07-23 | 4.000 ppt | 562.5% | Exceeds Limit | 114,925 |
| #50 | Alabaster | Alabama | 21.000 pptPFOA max | 2024-07-17 → 2025-04-23 | 4.000 ppt | 525.0% | Exceeds Limit | 40,986 |
| #51 | North Miami Beach | Florida | 20.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-06-24 → 2024-12-02 | 4.000 ppt | 500.0% | Exceeds Limit | 180,000 |
| #52 | Hollywood | Florida | 20.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-09-07 → 2024-03-07 | 4.000 ppt | 500.0% | Exceeds Limit | 147,566 |
| #53 | Pompano Beach | Florida | 20.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-01-24 → 2023-07-17 | 4.000 ppt | 500.0% | Exceeds Limit | 99,400 |
| #54 | Salisbury | Maryland | 20.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-01-04 → 2023-07-18 | 4.000 ppt | 500.0% | Exceeds Limit | 30,343 |
| #55 | Temple Terrace | Florida | 19.500 pptPFOS max | 2025-03-04 → 2025-05-21 | 4.000 ppt | 487.5% | Exceeds Limit | 31,250 |
| #56 | Garden Grove | California | 19.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-14 → 2026-04-27 | 4.000 ppt | 475.0% | Exceeds Limit | 174,226 |
| #57 | Highland | California | 19.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-07-22 → 2025-01-09 | 4.000 ppt | 475.0% | Exceeds Limit | 20,188 |
| #58 | Vancouver | Washington | 18.600 pptPFOS max | 2023-05-24 → 2024-05-15 | 4.000 ppt | 465.0% | Exceeds Limit | 373,047 |
| #59 | Lakewood | California | 18.500 pptPFOS max | 2025-11-25 → 2026-05-28 | 4.000 ppt | 462.5% | Exceeds Limit | 66,135 |
| #60 | Pomona | California | 18.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-23 → 2024-05-15 | 4.000 ppt | 450.0% | Exceeds Limit | 151,713 |
| #61 | Colton | California | 18.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-25 → 2025-02-27 | 4.000 ppt | 450.0% | Exceeds Limit | 46,525 |
| #62 | Marana | Arizona | 17.900 pptPFOS max | 2025-02-04 → 2025-08-05 | 4.000 ppt | 447.5% | Exceeds Limit | 15,162 |
| #63 | Rome | Georgia | 17.300 pptPFOA max | 2024-10-01 → 2025-07-07 | 4.000 ppt | 432.5% | Exceeds Limit | 45,586 |
| #64 | Orange | California | 17.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-14 → 2026-04-27 | 4.000 ppt | 425.0% | Exceeds Limit | 120,770 |
| #65 | Florence | Alabama | 17.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-16 → 2024-06-24 | 4.000 ppt | 425.0% | Exceeds Limit | 77,766 |
| #66 | Compton | California | 17.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-09-14 → 2024-05-09 | 4.000 ppt | 425.0% | Exceeds Limit | 74,877 |
| #67 | Santa Clarita | California | 16.900 pptPFOA max | 2023-06-07 → 2024-08-21 | 4.000 ppt | 422.5% | Exceeds Limit | 294,090 |
| #68 | Redding | California | 16.200 pptPFOA max | 2023-03-07 → 2023-12-05 | 4.000 ppt | 405.0% | Exceeds Limit | 89,628 |
| #69 | Norwich | Connecticut | 16.200 pptPFOS max | 2023-05-23 → 2024-03-07 | 4.000 ppt | 405.0% | Exceeds Limit | 36,163 |
| #70 | Fort Lauderdale | Florida | 16.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-05-16 → 2023-11-01 | 4.000 ppt | 400.0% | Exceeds Limit | 185,163 |
| #71 | Temecula | California | 16.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-09 → 2024-12-13 | 4.000 ppt | 400.0% | Exceeds Limit | 146,147 |
| #72 | La Mirada | California | 16.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-12-19 → 2025-08-22 | 4.000 ppt | 400.0% | Exceeds Limit | 56,793 |
| #73 | Manchester | Connecticut | 16.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-10-17 → 2024-07-23 | 4.000 ppt | 400.0% | Exceeds Limit | 51,198 |
| #74 | Coral Springs | Florida | 15.900 pptPFOS max | 2024-12-03 → 2025-06-05 | 4.000 ppt | 397.5% | Exceeds Limit | 65,000 |
| #75 | Glendale | California | 15.800 pptPFOS max | 2024-10-03 → 2025-07-09 | 4.000 ppt | 395.0% | Exceeds Limit | 188,784 |
| #76 | Oakland Park | Florida | 15.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-11 → 2026-06-02 | 4.000 ppt | 375.0% | Exceeds Limit | 38,905 |
| #77 | Santa Ana | California | 14.200 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-14 → 2026-04-27 | 4.000 ppt | 355.0% | Exceeds Limit | 310,539 |
| #78 | Bakersfield | California | 14.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-11 → 2026-04-06 | 4.000 ppt | 350.0% | Exceeds Limit | 267,881 |
| #79 | Sioux City | Iowa | 35.000 pptPFHxS max | 2023-10-16 → 2024-07-15 | 10.000 ppt | 350.0% | Exceeds Limit | 85,791 |
| #80 | Galesburg | Illinois | 14.000 pptPFOA max | 2023-01-18 → 2023-08-24 | 4.000 ppt | 350.0% | Exceeds Limit | 31,620 |
| #81 | Dania Beach | Florida | 13.900 pptPFOS max | 2025-02-18 → 2025-09-24 | 4.000 ppt | 347.5% | Exceeds Limit | 30,000 |
| #82 | Avondale | Arizona | 13.500 pptPFOA max | 2024-04-17 → 2025-01-08 | 4.000 ppt | 337.5% | Exceeds Limit | 96,130 |
| #83 | Fullerton | California | 13.300 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-14 → 2026-04-27 | 4.000 ppt | 332.5% | Exceeds Limit | 139,461 |
| #84 | Winter Garden | Florida | 13.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-02-27 → 2024-09-16 | 4.000 ppt | 325.0% | Exceeds Limit | 72,205 |
| #85 | Whittier | California | 13.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-09-11 → 2024-04-18 | 4.000 ppt | 325.0% | Exceeds Limit | 66,045 |
| #86 | Deerfield Beach | Florida | 12.700 pptPFOS max | 2024-01-09 → 2024-07-24 | 4.000 ppt | 317.5% | Exceeds Limit | 62,000 |
| #87 | Westminster | Maryland | 12.400 pptPFOA max | 2023-01-31 → 2025-09-04 | 4.000 ppt | 310.0% | Exceeds Limit | 35,256 |
| #88 | Auburn | Alabama | 12.000 pptPFOA max | 2025-02-17 → 2025-11-03 | 4.000 ppt | 300.0% | Exceeds Limit | 74,292 |
| #89 | Livermore | California | 12.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-10 → 2024-07-16 | 4.000 ppt | 300.0% | Exceeds Limit | 60,414 |
| #90 | Fort Pierce | Florida | 12.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-01-20 → 2023-10-10 | 4.000 ppt | 300.0% | Exceeds Limit | 58,000 |
| #91 | Lake Worth | Florida | 12.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-03-03 → 2023-09-08 | 4.000 ppt | 300.0% | Exceeds Limit | 48,000 |
| #92 | Attleboro | Massachusetts | 12.000 pptPFOS max | 2024-03-25 → 2026-01-12 | 4.000 ppt | 300.0% | Exceeds Limit | 46,461 |
| #93 | Georgetown | Kentucky | 12.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-02-08 → 2023-11-01 | 4.000 ppt | 300.0% | Exceeds Limit | 44,608 |
| #94 | Ocoee | Florida | 12.000 pptPFOA max | 2024-01-02 → 2024-07-10 | 4.000 ppt | 300.0% | Exceeds Limit | 34,000 |
| #95 | Chula Vista | California | 11.400 pptPFOA max | 2024-10-23 → 2025-07-17 | 4.000 ppt | 285.0% | Exceeds Limit | 191,282 |
| #96 | Prescott | Arizona | 11.400 pptPFOA max | 2023-05-16 → 2023-11-07 | 4.000 ppt | 285.0% | Exceeds Limit | 42,217 |
| #97 | Norwalk | Connecticut | 11.200 pptPFOS max | 2023-11-01 → 2024-09-10 | 4.000 ppt | 280.0% | Exceeds Limit | 40,256 |
| #98 | Hesperia | California | 11.100 pptPFOS max | 2023-07-12 → 2025-01-15 | 4.000 ppt | 277.5% | Exceeds Limit | 100,744 |
| #99 | Naples | Florida | 11.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-28 → 2024-02-12 | 4.000 ppt | 275.0% | Exceeds Limit | 83,804 |
| #100 | Sunrise | Florida | 11.000 pptPFOS max | 2023-08-15 → 2024-02-05 | 4.000 ppt | 275.0% | Exceeds Limit | 79,550 |
Most effective home treatment. Must be NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certified for PFAS.
Must be specifically certified for PFAS under NSF/ANSI Standard 53.
Specialized resins can remove PFAS. Less common for home use.
PFAS have extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds that don't break down in the environment or human body. They persist and accumulate over decades.
No. Boiling does not remove PFAS. Distillation is also ineffective as PFAS can vaporize with water.
No. Only carbon filters specifically certified for PFAS removal work. Standard carbon filters are ineffective.