PFAS in tap water: what changes in 2026 and how to protect yourself
PFAS, nicknamed «eternal pollutants», are now part of the official controls on tap water in France. What does the new rule say, how do you know if your water is affected, and what solutions are there for removing them from your home? Here’s the essential information.
What are PFASs?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances) form a family of several thousand chemical compounds used since the 1950s: non-stick cookware, waterproof textiles, food packaging, fire-resistant foams, industry… Their carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest in chemistry: they hardly degrade in the environment, hence their nickname of «eternal pollutants».
They are found in soils, rivers, aquifers… and therefore sometimes in water intended for consumption. Some PFASs are recognized as being of concern to health, which explains the strengthening of regulations.
What has changed since January 1, 2026
Pursuant to the European directive on drinking water, PFAS have been included in the sanitary control of tap water since 2009. January 1st, 2026. The quality limit is set at 0.1 µg/L for the sum of 20 PFASs in the water distributed.
- The Regional Health Agencies (ARS) they monitor the water at regular intervals and publish the results.
- In the event of an exceedance, the community or the network operator must restore the water quality, under the supervision of the ARS.
- The private wells and boreholes What is not covered by this control is the owner’s responsibility to have their water tested.
Note: The TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), a very short-chain PFAS often cited in the news, is not included in the list of the 20 PFAS in the regulatory sum.
How can I know the quality of the water in my municipality?
The results of the health inspection are public. You can consult them by commune on the website of the Ministry of Health (sante.fr – Quality of drinking water), on your ARS website or on your water bill, which includes an annual summary. In France, tap water remains one of the most controlled foods; but depending on your region, you may wish to go further.
Filtering PFAS at home: what solutions?
Not all filtration solutions are equal when it comes to PFAS:
- Simple pitchers and filters They mainly improve the taste (chlorine) and have only a limited effect on PFAS.
- Activated charcoal in blocks It retains a portion of the PFASs, especially the long-chain molecules, provided that the cartridges are changed regularly.
- Reverse osmosis Its ultra-fine membrane allows water molecules to pass through and retains most of the dissolved contaminants: PFASs, pesticides, nitrates, heavy metals. This is today’s most comprehensive household solution.
Our osmosis systems are installed under the sink and provide filtered water on demand:
- Pure Balance Eco-friendly, without electricity, ideal for starting up;
- Robust Mini : Pure water continuously, without a tank;
- Cross 90 Balance The high-end model, with remineralization and indicator lights for changing filters.
For water from a well or a borehole that is not controlled by the ARS, the’Osmoseur Slim 4″ Pro Handles large volumes.
And the water produced from the air?
One atmospheric water generator It draws its water neither from the network nor from the aquifers: it condenses the moisture from the air, then filters and purifies it. It is a source of water independent of soil and river pollution.
In summary
- From 2026, the amount of 20 PFAS in tap water must not exceed 0.1 µg/L.
- The results for your municipality are accessible online.
- To reduce your exposure at home, reverse osmosis with mineralization is the most effective solution if you do not have a water cut.
Any questions about the solution suitable for your water? Contact us, We advise you free of charge. For more information: filtering the tap water and compare our osmoseurs.
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