Is there PFAS in Oxford Water Works & Sewer Board water?
Some. At least one sample reached an EPA limit, but the average at every sampling point stayed below it.
Oxford Water Works & Sewer Board
Serves 31,239 people · 14 PFOA samples from 1 sampling point · Feb 2024 to Nov 2024
One or more samples at an EPA limit
PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid
not detected
PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
2.2 ppt avg · max 6.1
PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
0.2 ppt avg · max 3.1
Hazard index GenX, PFBS, PFNA, PFHxS combined
0.0 avg · max 0.3
Oxford Water Works & Sewer Board is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Oxford, Alabama, serving about 31,239 people, including Lincoln, Talladega, Anniston, Oxford, De Armanville, Eastaboga. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 14 times across 1 sampling point between Feb 2024 and Nov 2024.
Every PFAS detected
Not detected: 6:2 FTS, PFBA, HFPO-DA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFEESA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, ADONA, 4:2 FTS, PFMBA, NFDHA, PFPeS, PFUnA, NEtFOSAA, PFMPA, PFHxA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFOA, PFNA, PFHpA, NMeFOSAA, PFTrDA, PFTA, PFPeA, PFHpS, PFBS, 8:2 FTS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.
Other systems in Alabama
All 307 tested systems in Alabama
ZIP codes served
35096 35160 36201 36203 36207 36257 36260 36268
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Oxford Water Works & Sewer Board water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID AL0000162. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/alabama/oxford-water-works-and-sewer-board/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID AL0000162). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
