Consumer Confidence Reports and Public Water System Disclosure
The Safe Drinking Water Act requires community water systems to provide annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) to customers, disclosing water source, detected contaminants, and compliance status. With EPA’s new PFAS MCLs, CCRs will now include PFAS monitoring results.
Reading PFAS Data in CCRs
CCRs report PFAS concentrations as annual averages in ng/L (nanograms per liter, equivalent to parts per trillion). Consumers should compare reported PFAS levels to the applicable MCLs: 4 ng/L for PFOA and PFOS individually, and a hazard index of 1 for PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS mixtures.
What CCRs Don’t Show
CCRs report averages, potentially masking peak concentrations exceeding MCLs at specific sampling times. CCRs may also not capture all PFAS compounds—only those with MCLs are currently required reporting. Consumers seeking comprehensive PFAS information should request raw monitoring data from their utility.
Taking Action Based on CCR Data
Consumers finding PFAS above MCLs in their CCR should contact their utility for remediation timeline information. In the interim, point-of-use NSF-certified reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters provide household protection while utilities upgrade treatment systems.