Drinking Water Standards and Health Information
EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
On April 10, 2024, the U.S. EPA announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) establishing Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS.
On May 18, 2026, the EPA published two proposed revisions to the PFAS NPDWR. EPA expects to finalize the revisions by the end of the year. The two proposed revisions are:
- Keeping the MCLs of 4 parts-per-trillion each for PFOS and PFOA. Rescinding the MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the hazard index of these three plus PFBS
- Allowing Public Water Suppliers to seek an exemption to the MCL compliance deadline of April 2029 for PFOA and PFOS for two additional years (to 2031). The exemption isn’t permanent but allows systems additional time to meet the MCLs.
For more information: EPA’s Proposed PFAS Rescission Rule and EPA’s PFOA and PFOS Compliance Extension Rule.
Massachusetts PFAS Standard for Public Drinking Water Supplies
On October 2, 2020, MassDEP published its PFAS public drinking water standard or Massachusetts Maximum Contaminant Level (MMCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L), or parts per trillion (ppt) applicable to community (COM) and non-transient non-community (NTNC) systems for the sum of the concentrations of six specific PFAS. The six PFAS are: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA. MassDEP abbreviates this set of six PFAS as “PFAS6.” This standard is still in effect.
More information on the development of a PFAS6 MCL in Massachusetts
More Information for Public Water Suppliers about compliance with the PFAS6 MCL
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. On March 16, 2026, EPA approved MassDEP’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 MassDEP until April 26, 2028, to promulgate new state PFAS regulations. EPA encouraged all states to apply for an extension due to their plan to rewrite the federal rule. MassDEP will be proposing amendments to its PFAS regulations to be at least as stringent as the EPA MCLs and will be holding public hearings to receive public input on this proposal.
Health Information for Consumers
MassDEP Fact Sheet - Questions and Answers for Consumers
CDC ATSDR Information on PFAS for consumers and health professionals
PFAS found in public drinking water supplies and actions being taken
This story map consists of seven tabs that present interactive maps, dashboards and photographs that describe the efforts by MassDEP and Public Water Suppliers to address the PFAS contamination. Click on the full screen symbol in the bottom right corner for best viewing.
PFAS testing data
PFAS sampling results from all Massachusetts PWS are available on the EEA Data Portal. Search under the contaminant group "PFAS" or for the sum of the six compounds in the MCL, search under the chemical name "PFAS6".
Nationwide PFAS sampling results are available from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule.
The MassDEP conducted a free PFAS Analysis Program from 2020 to 2022 and analyzed samples from PWS and from select private wells in 85 towns where 60% or more of the residents were served by private wells. The Final Report provides a summary of the key elements of the Program and the findings and results.
PFAS and Environmental Justice Communities
On October 19, 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report (GAO-22-105135). The report concludes: “In Massachusetts, communities with higher percentages of non-White or Hispanic/Latino residents and/or families living in poverty were less likely than other communities to have PFAS in their drinking water.”
New drinking water source approvals and PFAS
MassDEP requires PWS to test all new sources of drinking water for PFAS, including replacement sources and satellite wells, using EPA method 537.1 (18 Compounds) or method 533 (25 compounds) and report all results. For more information about the new source approval process, contact your MassDEP Regional Office. List of MassDEP Regional Offices by community or email the MassDEP Drinking Water Program program.director-dwp@mass.gov.
Laboratories, testing and sample collection
Private Well Owners
If you are a private well owner, for more information about whether you should test, how to test and your drinking water treatment options, please see PFAS in Private Well Drinking Water Supplies FAQ.
Public Water Suppliers
Field Sampling Guide and video of sample collection procedures for Public Water Suppliers.
Drinking Water Laboratories
Drinking water samples must be analyzed for PFAS by labs using EPA Methods: 537.1 or 533.
To find a certified lab see: MassDEP certified labs
If you are a laboratory and are interested in becoming certified, see 310 CMR 42.00 and 310 CMR 22.00 and Laboratory Certification Forms
Additional Resources
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Open PDF file, 1.06 MB, How to Interpret my PFAS Laboratory Report (English, PDF 1.06 MB)
Bottled water and home water filters
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Food Protection Program licenses companies to sell or distribute bottled water and carbonated non-alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts. Licenses are renewed annually.
The MDPH only licenses bottlers after they provide test results which show that their bottled water or beverages comply with final drinking water standards for PFAS, and other contaminants established by:
- The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,
- The US Environmental Protection Agency, and
- The US Food and Drug Administration.
In 2022, the MDPH conducted a pilot surveillance program on PFAS in bottled water sold in Massachusetts. All bottled water test results met the MassDEP and the EPA’s MCLs.
Find information from MDPH Water Quality Standards for Bottled Water.
Home Water Filters
There are also home water treatment filters capable of removing PFAS from drinking water for the countertop or under the sink. These treatment devices are not specifically designed to meet the Massachusetts or Federal drinking water standards for PFAS. Any treatment device you use should be certified to meet “NSF/ANSI 53” or “NSF/ANSI 58” standards. It's important to note that the current certification standards for PFAS filters (as of June 2026) do not yet indicate that a filter will remove PFAS down to the levels EPA has now set for a drinking water standard. EPA is working with standard-setting bodies to update their filter certifications to match EPA’s new requirements. If you chose to install a treatment device, you should check to see if the manufacturer has independently verifiable PFAS monitoring results demonstrating that the device can reduce PFAS below the MassDEP and EPA drinking water standards.