Also detected, no federal limit: PFPeA, PFHxA.
Is there PFAS in Pwcsa - West water?
Yes, at low levels. 2 PFAS were detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Pwcsa - West is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Woodbridge, Virginia, serving about 136,409 people, including Manassas, Bristow, Gainesville, Haymarket, Nokesville. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 8 times across 2 sampling points between Feb 2024 and Nov 2024.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFPeA Perfluoropentanoic acid |
1 of 8 | 5.0 ppt | 1.2 ppt | none |
| PFHxA Perfluorohexanoic acid |
1 of 8 | 3.6 ppt | 0.9 ppt | none |
Not detected: PFEESA, PFDoA, PFMBA, NFDHA, PFPeS, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, PFBA, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFOA, PFUnA, NMeFOSAA, PFDA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFBS, PFHpS, PFTA, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS.
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
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.
Other systems in Virginia
- Stafford County Utilities above an EPA limit
- City of Alexandria 3 PFAS detected
- City of Chesapeake - Northwest River Sys none detected
- Pwcsa - East above an EPA limit
- City of Portsmouth none detected
- Spotsylvania County Utilities 2 PFAS detected
All 171 tested systems in Virginia
ZIP codes served
20109 20111 20136 20155 20156 20169 20181 20182
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 Pwcsa - West water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID VA6153251. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/virginia/pwcsa-west/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID VA6153251). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.