25 Cities With the Highest PFAS Levels in Drinking Water (2026)
By Echo Water Research Team8 min read
25
Cities Analyzed
288
Total Contaminants Above Guidelines
331,766
People Affected
We analyzed tap water quality data for hundreds of cities across the United States to identify those with the highest levels of pfas. This ranking is based on 2026 data from the EPA and EWG databases.
Pfas is a contaminant of growing concern in drinking water. The cities below have the highest detected levels based on the most recent testing data available.
Methodology: Cities are ranked by the detected level of pfas (descending), showing those with the highest concentrations first. Data sourced from the EPA Safe Drinking Water
Information System (SDWIS) and the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database.
Only cities with available EWG testing data are included.
Issaquah has pfas detected at 101.90 ppt. 30 total contaminants were found in the water supply.
What We Found: Key Patterns
The most frequently detected contaminants exceeding health guidelines across these cities are Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Bromodichloromethane. These appear repeatedly across different water systems and regions.
Geographically, the states most represented in this ranking are Minnesota (8), Ohio (3), New York (3). Regional water sources, industrial activity, and agricultural runoff all contribute to local water quality variation.
Across all ranked cities, 288 contaminant readings exceed EWG health guidelines, but only 39 exceed EPA legal limits. This gap of 249 highlights how legal standards may not fully protect public health — EPA limits haven't been updated for many contaminants in decades.
Full Rankings Table
Rank
City
State
Detected
Above Guidelines
Above Legal
People Served
1
Oakdale
MN
32
17
3
28,303
2
Little Hocking
OH
19
9
2
9,892
3
St. Paul Park
MN
12
6
1
5,427
4
Cottage Grove
MN
29
14
2
39,712
5
Newport
MN
19
8
0
4,000
6
Woodbury
MN
27
15
2
82,643
7
Hastings
MN
31
15
1
23,222
8
Cayuga
NY
28
14
1
500
9
Union Springs
NY
28
14
1
0
10
Rome
GA
22
13
2
45,586
11
Sebattus
ME
15
9
2
25
12
Hoosick Falls
NY
38
19
2
4,925
13
Little Canada
MN
12
4
0
266
14
Pittsford
NJ
15
6
2
210
15
Emmaus
PA
33
18
4
14,000
16
Belpre
OH
20
12
1
6,441
17
Stuart
FL
21
10
3
16,841
18
Eielson Afb
AK
12
8
2
0
19
Fayetteville
PA
11
9
2
250
20
Lincoln
IL
20
12
0
1,036
21
Lake Elmo
MN
18
11
0
2,400
22
Canton
MO
19
12
2
0
23
Newton Falls
OH
16
10
0
6,109
24
Hales Corners
WI
12
7
2
400
25
Issaquah
WA
30
16
2
39,578
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Our analysis of 2026 data identified the cities with the highest detected levels of pfas. See the full ranking above.
Is pfas dangerous in drinking water?
Pfas has known health risks at elevated levels. The EWG sets health guidelines that are often stricter than EPA legal limits to account for the latest research on long-term exposure.
How do I remove pfas from my water?
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing a wide range of contaminants. Check the specific contaminant details for recommended filtration technology.
What is the EPA legal limit for pfas?
EPA legal limits vary by contaminant and may differ from EWG health guidelines. See individual city reports for specific legal limit comparisons.
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: September 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
