Is there PFAS in Columbus Public Water System water?
Some. At least one sample reached an EPA limit, but the average at every sampling point stayed below it.
Columbus Public Water System
Serves 1.3 million people · 10 PFOA samples from 3 sampling points · Feb 2024 to Nov 2024
One or more samples at an EPA limit
PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid
1.3 ppt avg · max 5.3
PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
not detected
Hazard index GenX, PFBS, PFNA, PFHxS combined
0.0 avg · max 0.0
Also detected, no federal limit: PFHxA, PFBA, PFPeA, PFBS, PFHpA.
Columbus Public Water System is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Columbus, Ohio, serving about 1.3 million people, including Amlin, Blacklick, Dublin, Hilliard, Johnstown, Lewis Center. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 10 times across 3 sampling points between Feb 2024 and Nov 2024.
Every PFAS detected
Not detected: NMeFOSAA, PFOS, PFNA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFTrDA, PFUnA, PFTA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFHxS, PFHpS, PFPeS, NFDHA, PFEESA, PFMBA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, 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 Ohio
All 347 tested systems in Ohio
ZIP codes served
43002 43004 43016 43017 43026 43031 43035 43054 43064 43065 43068 43081 43082 43085 43109 43110 43119 43123 43125 43130 43137 43146 43147 43201 43202 43203 43204 43205 43206 43207 43209 43210 43211 43212 43213 43214 43215 43216 43217 43218 43219 43220 43221 43222 43223 43224 43227 43228 43229 43230 43231 43232 43235 43236 43240
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 Columbus Public Water System water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID OH2504412. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/ohio/columbus-public-water-system/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID OH2504412). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
