Workers spend a significant portion of their daily water consumption hours at the office. PFAS in workplace drinking water contributes meaningfully to total occupational exposure, particularly for employees who rely heavily on building water fountains, coffee machines, and break room taps throughout the workday.
Assessing Office Building Water Quality
Building owners and facilities managers can access the local utility’s PFAS monitoring data for the water supply. For buildings with on-site wells (common in corporate campuses in rural and suburban settings), independent PFAS testing is essential. Buildings in proximity to known PFAS sources — airports, military facilities, industrial parks — should prioritize PFAS assessment regardless of utility data.
Point-of-Use Solutions for Offices
Under-counter carbon block or RO systems at break room sinks, water cooler pre-filters certified for PFAS, and point-of-use filters at drinking fountains provide targeted protection at the most-used water access points. NSF-certified filtration with documented maintenance schedules satisfies both employee health concerns and potential regulatory compliance needs as workplace water quality requirements evolve.
Communicating With Employees
Proactive communication from employers about water quality assessment results and any installed filtration demonstrates commitment to employee health and builds trust. Displaying filter certification information, replacement schedules, and latest water test results near water access points provides transparency. Employees who bring this issue to facilities managers can reference EPA PFAS guidance and local utility data to support the case for investigation and treatment.