Yes, at low levels. 2 PFAS were detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA, PFHxA.
Rural Lorain CO. Water a is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Lagrange, Ohio, serving about 73,125 people, including Amherst, Avon, Columbia Station, Elyria, North Ridgeville, Grafton. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 10 times across 3 sampling points between Jan 2023 and Aug 2024.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
2 of 10 | 5.2 ppt | 2.5 ppt | none |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
1 of 10 | 3.0 ppt | 0.8 ppt | none |
Not detected: 8:2 FTS, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, PFDA, PFDoA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, ADONA, HFPO-DA, 4:2 FTS, PFUnA, PFMPA, PFPeA, PFMBA, PFEESA, NFDHA, PFPeS, PFHpS, NMeFOSAA, PFTA, NEtFOSAA, PFTrDA, 6:2 FTS, 9Cl-PF3ONS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 15.4 ppb, detected in 2 of 10 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
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 347 tested systems in Ohio
44001 44011 44028 44035 44039 44044 44049 44050 44053 44054 44074 44090 44138 44235 44253 44254 44256 44275 44280 44287 44805 44837 44851 44859 44866 44880 44889
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Rural Lorain CO. Water a water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID OH4701803. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/ohio/rural-lorain-co-water-a/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID OH4701803). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
