PERFLUOROCTANOIC ACID (PFOA) in U.S. Drinking Water

PERFLUOROCTANOIC ACID (PFOA) is regulated under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act, which sets enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and associated treatment technique requirements for public water systems. The EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) tracks every recorded violation nationwide and links it back to the specific public water system (PWSID), violation type, and begin date.

Across the United States, PlainEnviro's joined extract contains 978 health-based violation records carrying PERFLUOROCTANOIC ACID (PFOA) (EPA code 2806) across 107 active community water systems in 5 states. Raw record counts are highest in New York, Connecticut, Illinois, with New York accounting for 274 records across 36 systems. Health-effect prose is shown only when the official ECHO substance name matches a verified topic; otherwise the portal stays silent rather than inventing guidance.

A health-based violation does not mean residents were necessarily harmed, it means the contaminant exceeded the federal MCL in a compliance sample, triggering notification and remediation requirements. States and utilities maintain primary enforcement responsibility. To check the status of a specific water system, request its most recent Consumer Confidence Report or consult the EPA's Drinking Water Watch portal for the corresponding state.