Researchers find persistent chemicals in 83% of tested US waterways
The report finds PFAS in waterways used for drinking-water supply and fishing, and calls for continued monitoring.
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The report finds PFAS in waterways used for drinking-water supply and fishing, and calls for continued monitoring.
An October report found PFAS contamination in 83% of 1,602 tested US waterways, including waters used for fishing and drinking-water supply. Environment America Research & Policy Center, U.S. PIRG Education Fund and Frontier Group published the findings, according to Inside Climate News.
PFAS are manufactured chemicals used since the 1940s in products including nonstick cookware, waterproof fabrics and firefighting foam. Often called “forever chemicals,” they do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in people and animals.
The analysis combined measurements taken in surface waters—such as rivers and lakes—between 2022 and 2024. Most data came from the US Environmental Protection Agency, with additional measurements from Waterkeeper Alliance and state environmental agencies in Maine and Massachusetts.
| Area | Waterways tested | Share with PFAS | PFAS types detected |
|---|---|---|---|
| US nationwide | 1,602 | 83% | Up to 114 |
| Florida | 23 | Roughly 96% |
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Florida’s contaminated waterways included the Hillsborough River, which supplies drinking water for Tampa. Researchers also detected 36 PFAS compounds at all six monitoring sites in Tiger Lake, a central Florida lake used for kayaking and fishing.
PFAS can accumulate in freshwater fish, exposing people who eat them. Inside Climate News reports that PFAS have been linked with several cancers and other health problems. But detecting the chemicals in surface water does not establish what people encounter in treated tap water, how much an individual absorbs or whether anyone became ill.
John Rumpler, Environment America Research & Policy Center’s clean water director and senior attorney, said the report likely underestimates contamination because it excludes some testing data and many waterways have never been tested. The percentages describe the waterways tested, not the share of all US waterways containing PFAS.
A Florida law that took effect July 1 aims to phase out aqueous film-forming foam, a firefighting foam, among other measures. The report recommends phasing out PFAS, barring industrial facilities from discharging them into waterways and ending the use of PFAS-containing sewage sludge on farmland. It also calls for continued monitoring to track changes over time.
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