Yes, at low levels. 2 PFAS were detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA, PFPeA.
Charlotte Water is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving about 1.2 million people, including Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Pineville, Charlotte. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 20 times across 5 sampling points between Aug 2023 and May 2024.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
2 of 20 | 9.7 ppt | 2.4 ppt | none |
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
4 of 20 | 3.4 ppt | 0.8 ppt | none |
Not detected: HFPO-DA, PFOS, PFHpS, PFPeS, NFDHA, PFEESA, PFMBA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, PFTrDA, 6:2 FTS, PFTA, ADONA, PFUnA, PFHxA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFOA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, NMeFOSAA, NEtFOSAA.
Lithium, tested in the same program: not detected.
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.
Levels here are under EPA's limits, so no treatment is required. If you want them lower anyway, a certified reverse osmosis system under the sink handles drinking water, and a whole-house carbon filter also takes out the chlorine or chloramine your utility adds.
All 291 tested systems in North Carolina
28031 28035 28036 28070 28078 28104 28105 28106 28134 28201 28202 28204 28205 28206 28207 28208 28209 28210 28211 28212 28213 28214 28215 28216 28217 28218 28219 28220 28221 28222 28223 28224 28226 28227 28228 28229 28230 28231 28232 28233 28234 28235 28236 28237 28241 28242 28243 28244 28246 28247 28253 28254 28255 28256 28258 28260 28262 28263 28265 28266 28269 28270 28271 28272 28273 28274 28275 28277 28278 28280 28281 28282 28284 28285 28287 28288 28289 28290 28296 28297 28299
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Charlotte Water water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID NC0160010. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/north-carolina/charlotte-water/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID NC0160010). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
