PFAS in District of Columbia Drinking Water
Ranked by number of PFAS compounds detected · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
PFAS in District of Columbia: what the data shows
District of Columbia has 1 cities with PFAS monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program. PFAS ("forever chemicals") were detected in 1 of those cities (100%), with no cities exceeding the EPA's 2024 maximum contaminant levels of 4 ppt. The state average is better than the national average. No cities in District of Columbia currently exceed the 2024 EPA PFAS maximum contaminant levels, though detections below the MCL are still a concern. Reverse osmosis systems and high-quality activated carbon filters are effective at reducing PFAS at the tap. PFAS data comes from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5), which required large water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023–2025. Not all systems have completed testing — cities without data may still have PFAS present.
Cities exceeding EPA MCL (4 ppt each)
PFAS data across District of Columbia
Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. PFAS-tested cities are shown; those exceeding the 4 ppt EPA MCL appear in red. Size reflects population served.
Top 10 cities by pfas level in District of Columbia
Highest PFAS levels (compounds)
All District of Columbia cities ranked by pfas level
| # | City | Level | Level | Exceeds? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 3 compounds | No | 32 | F |
Frequently asked questions about pfas in District of Columbia
Does District of Columbia tap water contain PFAS?
PFAS were detected in 1 of 1 District of Columbia cities tested under EPA's UCMR 5 program. No cities currently exceed the 2024 EPA MCL.
How can I remove PFAS from my drinking water in District of Columbia?
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing PFAS, typically removing 90%+ of compounds. High-quality activated carbon block filters (NSF 58-certified for RO, or NSF 53 for solid carbon) also provide significant reduction. Standard pitcher filters vary widely in PFAS removal.