Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS Contamination of Water

Yes, Rhode Island was an early implementer of PFAS regulations for drinking water. Following the passage of the PFAS in Drinking Water, Groundwater, and Surface Waters Act (RI PFAS Act) in June 2022, the state began requiring public water systems to sample for PFAS. The June 2022 RI PFAS Act gave RIDOH an interim standard of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L), or parts per trillion (ppt), for the sum of 6 PFAS compounds. RIDOH abbreviates this set of six PFAS as “PFAS6.” Those PFAS are PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA. This standard remains in effect. On September 18, 2024, RIDOH incorporated the interim standard as our final Rhode Island Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for PFAS. This was applicable to Community and Non-Transient, Non-Community water systems. 

States are required to establish regulations that are no less stringent than the federal standards within two years of the promulgation of the federal MCL, with the possibility of an extension of up to two years. EPA encouraged all states to apply for an extension due to their plan to rewrite the federal rule. On March 16, 2026, EPA approved RIDOH’s request for a Primacy Extension. A primacy extension is a formal request to the EPA for more time, up to two years beyond the deadline, to implement new federal drinking water regulations. This gives RIDOH until April 26, 2028, to promulgate new state PFAS regulations.   

RIDOH will be proposing amendments to its PFAS regulations to be at least as stringent as the EPA MCLs and will hold public hearings to receive public input on this proposal in 2027. RIDOH is required by EPA to implement state regulations that are at least as strict as the national regulations by April 26, 2028.

More information: PFAS in public water systems in Rhode Island

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) establishing Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS) on April 10, 2024. On May 14, 2025, EPA announced an intention to revisit and revise the regulations. More information on EPA’s NPDWR.

On May 18, 2026, the EPA published two proposed revisions to this PFAS NPDWR. EPA expects to finalize these revisions by the end of 2026. The two proposed revisions are:

• Keeping the MCLs of 4 parts-per-trillion (ng/L) each for PFOS and PFOA and rescinding the MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the hazard index of these three plus PFBS.
• Allowing Public Water Systems to request an exemption to the MCL compliance deadline for PFOA and PFOS for two additional years (from April 2029 to 2031). The exemption gives systems additional time to comply with MCLs and is not a permanent exemption.

More information: EPA’s Proposed PFAS Rescission Rule and EPA’s PFOA and PFOS Compliance Extension Rule.

Initial PFAS sampling results have been used to determine how often a public water system must monitor for PFAS in the future. Starting in 2025, if the results of the initial sampling showed no detections of PFAS, the public water system will monitor for PFAS every two years. If the results showed PFAS at or below the 20 ppt MCL for drinking water, the water system will monitor for PFAS each year. If the results show PFAS exceeds the 20 ppt MCL, the water system will monitor for PFAS quarterly (once every three months).

If your water is supplied by a public water system, you can ask your public water system or visit health.ri.gov/data/pfas to see the results of the initial sampling that was required for all public water systems by July 1, 2023. If you have a private well, RIDOH's Private Well Program can provide additional guidance on testing well water for PFAS.

Water systems with PFAS levels greater than 20 ppt contact their consumers directly. Public water systems are required to send do not drink notices to consumers when water sample results show PFAS at greater than 70 ppt. Ongoing do not drink notices can be found online here.

The 20 ppt Rhode Island standard was originally determined in 2022 as a combined Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for six PFAS, reflecting Rhode Island’s approach at the time to regulating the broader group of PFAS in drinking water. EPA later established separate 4 ppt MCLs for PFOA and PFOS based on its more recent scientific assessment of the health risks of these two chemicals.   

An MCL is an enforceable limit, while a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) is a non-enforceable health goal. EPA’s MCLG for PFOA and PFOS is zero. The MCLG does not take into account realistic treatment capabilities or laboratory detection limits. RIDOH encourages public water systems to meet both state and federal MCLGs when possible.

Public water systems with PFAS levels above 20 ppt are required to take additional action to lower their level of PFAS. There are continuous treatment processes that can lower or remove PFAS from drinking water. These public water systems were required to enter into Consent Agreements with RIDOH within 180 days of being notified of their exceedance. RIDOH uses Consent Agreements to document a system’s plan of action to come into compliance by an achievable deadline.

Public water systems with PFAS levels at 20 ppt or greater are required to do public notifications. Additionally, due to the potential for increased risk of impact to human health, RIDOH also requires that public water systems with PFAS sample results higher than 70 ppt issue a do not drink notice within 24 hours with guidance to all consumers of the water. RIDOH will also post notice of all do not drink orders on its website.

People who are concerned about PFAS can have their water tested. Sampling for PFAS can be more challenging than sampling for other routine water tests. RIDOH's Private Well Program can provide additional guidance on testing well water for PFAS.

When people are exposed, PFAS can build up in the body. The amount of PFAS in the body can increase to the point where it can harm health. Studies have shown certain PFAS can cause negative health effects, including higher cholesterol levels, lower infant birth weights, weakened immune response, and increased risk of some cancers, including kidney cancer.

Infants and young children with developing immune systems; people who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or who may become pregnant; and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.

Please see RIDOH's PFAS Health Effects Factsheet and general PFAS webpage for more information.

If a public water system’s PFAS test results are 70 ppt or more, the system must advise people not to drink the water. When PFAS levels are lower than 70 ppt, there is no requirement for a do not drink notice. However, water with PFAS levels greater than 20 ppt is above Rhode Island’s MCL. For this reason, public water systems with results greater than 20 ppt must work to lower the PFAS in their water. While this work is being done by systems with results greater than 20 ppt, there are steps people can take to limit their exposure to PFAS in drinking water (see below).

If you are a private well owner, you should contact RIDOH's Private Well Program for expert guidance before you make any decisions about treatment.

For people whose water is supplied by public water systems, follow the instructions provided by your public water system. There are steps people can take to minimize their exposure to PFAS in drinking water while public water systems make improvements.

It is important for everyone to know the following information:

• Water with PFAS of 70 ppt or greater should not be consumed.
• Whenever possible, water with very low levels of PFAS should be used for drinking, preparing food, cooking, brushing teeth, and any activity that might result in swallowing water.
• Boiling water for drinking will not reduce PFAS exposures. It will concentrate (increase the level of) these chemicals in the boiled water.
• Bottled water is not required by the Food and Drug Administration to be tested for PFAS, but many do. Many bottled water companies use treatment that removes PFAS. Contact bottled water manufacturers to ask about PFAS results in bottled water prior to using bottled water to replace drinking water with high PFAS levels.

RIDOH also recommends taking the following steps to minimize PFAS exposures from other sources:

• Avoid grease-resistant food packaging, such as microwave popcorn bags.
• Avoid products such as stain-resistant carpet and waterproof clothing. When possible, avoid purchasing products advertised as water, grease, and stain-resistant.

RIDOH is actively working with public water systems to lower PFAS exposure through drinking water. People who are concerned about PFAS can add water treatment in their home. Make sure the treatment is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) to remove PFAS. The treatment will need to be maintained frequently by you or a professional. If you do not properly maintain the filter, the levels of PFAS in your drinking water can go up. Information for consumers can be found online.

If PFAS are detected, parents of formula-fed infants may consider using a formula that does not require adding water or finding an alternative source of water that has been tested for PFAS. People who are willing and able to breastfeed infants should continue to do so.

It is important to know that while breastmilk can expose infants and newborns to PFAS, the health benefits of breastfeeding for children are greater than the risks from PFAS exposure. If you have any concerns about breastfeeding, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

Whenever possible, water with very low levels of PFAS should be used for drinking, preparing food, cooking, brushing teeth, and any activity that might result in swallowing water. Public water system testing results for PFAS can help you decide if itis ok to use drinking water from public water systems for cooking food.

Routine showering, bathing, and swimming are not a major source of exposure to PFAS. If PFAS are detected, you may consider shorter showers or baths, especially for children who may swallow water while playing in the bath, as a precaution.

Doing laundry and washing dishes are also not a major source of exposure to PFAS.

If you use a humidifier, use only use water from a safe source.

People who are concerned about their pets being exposed to PFAS may choose to use alternate water as a precaution. Pet owners may also choose to consult a veterinarian about any concerns.

The risk of PFAS exposure from occasionally consuming produce that was irrigated with water that contained PFAS is likely to be low. For those who grow a large amount of the produce that they consume, consider doing the following to reduce PFAS exposure:

• Use rainwater or water treated for PFAS in the garden.
• Wash produce in clean water before consuming.
• Use compost that is rich in organic matter to fertilize the garden. This type of compost has been reported to mitigate the uptake of PFAS by plants.
• Plant raised beds with clean soil.