Also detected, no federal limit: PFHxA, PFPeA, PFHpA, PFBS.
Is there PFAS in Harnett Regional Water water?
Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show Harnett Regional Water averaged 9.2 ppt of PFOS at its worst sampling point, 2.3 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.
Harnett Regional Water is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Lillington, North Carolina, serving about 121,885 people, including Sanford, Angier, Broadway, Buies Creek, Coats, Fuquay Varina. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 4 times across 1 sampling point between Dec 2024 and Sep 2025.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
4 of 4 | 12.3 ppt | 9.2 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid |
4 of 4 | 7.7 ppt | 6.4 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
4 of 4 | 7.1 ppt | 5.6 ppt | none |
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
4 of 4 | 6.9 ppt | 5.7 ppt | none |
| PFHpA Perfluoroheptanoic acid |
2 of 4 | 3.6 ppt | 1.7 ppt | none |
| PFBS Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid |
2 of 4 | 3.4 ppt | 1.7 ppt | none |
| PFHxS Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid |
2 of 4 | 3.1 ppt | 1.5 ppt | 10 ppt |
Not detected: PFNA, PFBA, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFUnA, NMeFOSAA, PFDA, 6:2 FTS, PFDoA, 4:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, PFMPA, PFMBA, PFEESA, NFDHA, PFPeS, PFHpS, PFTA, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA.
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 North Carolina
- City of Concord above an EPA limit
- City of High Point above an EPA limit
- Greenville Utilities Comm 6 PFAS detected
- Johnston Co-west above an EPA limit
- Two Rivers Utilities none detected
- Brunswick County Water System above an EPA limit
All 291 tested systems in North Carolina
ZIP codes served
27332 27501 27505 27506 27521 27526 27540 27543 27546 27552 28323 28326 28334 28335 28339 28356 28368 28390
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 Harnett Regional Water water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID NC0343045. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/north-carolina/harnett-regional-water/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID NC0343045). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.