Some. At least one sample reached an EPA limit, but the average at every sampling point stayed below it.
Orange Water & Sewer Authority is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Carrboro, North Carolina, serving about 86,500 people, including Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 4 times across 1 sampling point between Mar 2025 and Dec 2025.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid |
1 of 4 | 4.8 ppt | 1.2 ppt | 4 ppt |
| PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid |
1 of 4 | 4.6 ppt | 1.1 ppt | 4 ppt |
Not detected: PFDoA, PFTA, PFTrDA, NMeFOSAA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFPeA, PFHpS, PFPeS, NFDHA, PFMBA, PFDA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, PFBA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFEESA, HFPO-DA, NEtFOSAA, PFUnA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, ADONA, PFHxA.
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.
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.
All 291 tested systems in North Carolina
27510 27514 27516 27517 27599 27707
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Orange Water & Sewer Authority water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID NC0368010. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/north-carolina/orange-water-and-sewer-authority/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID NC0368010). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
