The short answer
Charlotte Water lists PFOA and PFOS as not detected in its 2025 monitoring, with only trace amounts of a few unregulated PFAS. Results vary by utility: a few nearby systems reported PFOA or PFOS above 4.0 parts per trillion, the federal limit that isn't enforceable yet. Check your own utility's report before buying a filter.
Where federal PFAS rules stand today
EPA's enforceable limits for PFOA and PFOS are 4.0 parts per trillion. In May 2026 EPA proposed rescinding the limits for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX) and the mixture Hazard Index, and extending PFOA/PFOS compliance to 2031. As of September 2026 those proposals are not final.[source]
Two details matter when you read a 2025 report. First, the original 2024 rule gave utilities until April 2029 to comply,[source] so a 2025 result above 4.0 ppt is not a violation; it's early information. Second, a part per trillion is extremely small, which is why results are often listed in ng/L (the same as ppt) or as tiny µg/L decimals (0.0056 µg/L is 5.6 ppt).
Charlotte Water's results
Not detected
PFOA and PFOS, Charlotte Water 2025 additional monitoring
Both appear on the utility's 2025 non-detects list.
Source: Charlotte Water (City of Charlotte), Non-Detects 2025 (Non-Detected Contaminants list) (2025)
0.75 ppt
PFBA average, federal UCMR 5 sampling (Aug 2023–May 2024)
Range ND–9.7 ppt. PFBA has no federal limit.
0.67 ppt
PFPeA average, same sampling
Range ND–3.4 ppt. No federal limit.
Charlotte Water's report also lists highest results from additional outside-lab testing of 2.2 ppt PFHxA, 2.5 ppt PFPeA and 2.1 ppt PFBA, none of which have federal limits.[source] The two PFAS that do have enforceable limits, PFOA and PFOS, are on its 2025 list of contaminants not detected.[source] For Charlotte Water customers, PFAS is not a strong reason on its own to buy treatment.
Utility by utility: what other 2025 reports say
Each utility samples differently (some print an average, some a range, some one sample), so compare carefully. This table lists PFOA and PFOS where the report gives them, plus notable unregulated PFAS.
| Utility | PFOA / PFOS | Other PFAS and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte Water | Not detected / not detected[source] | Trace PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA (see above)[source] |
| City of Lincolnton | PFOA 5.6 average (5.1–6.1) / not listed[source] | Quarterly 2025 samples; PFHxA 5.4, PFPeA 4.5 average[source] |
| Lincoln County Water System | PFOS not detected at its own plant[source] | Water it buys from Lincolnton: PFOA up to 5.7[source] |
| Town of Harrisburg | PFOS 5.5–10.3 (range, no average printed)[source] | PFHxS 3.1–4.0[source]; buys from Concord and Charlotte Water |
| City of Shelby | PFOA 2.2 / PFOS 1.4 average[source] | Several other PFAS each under 2 |
| Gaffney BPW (SC) | PFOA 15.8–18.0 / PFOS 11.2–17.1 (quarterly 2025)[source] | Highest PFOA/PFOS among the reports we reviewed |
| City of Columbia (SC) | Canal Plant PFOA 5.8 / PFOS 7.6 average; Lake Plant PFOA 2.2 / PFOS 3.5[source] | Varies by treatment plant |
| City of Rock Hill (SC) and York County East/West | Not listed | PFHxA 4 and PFPeA 4.6 average[source][source] |
| Town of Fort Mill (SC) | Not listed | PFHxA 3.8, PFPeA 3.9 average[source] |
| City of Hickory | Not detected | All 29 PFAS tested not detected in three 2025 samples[source] |
| Mount Holly, Mooresville, Statesville, Kings Mountain | Not detected or below reporting limit | As stated in each report[source][source][source][source] |
| Greenville Water, Spartanburg Water, Lancaster County W&SD (SC) | Not detected or below reporting limit | As stated in each report[source][source][source] |
Utilities not listed here either didn't print individual PFAS results in their 2025 report or we haven't reviewed them yet. Our Charlotte-area water report keeps the full set with links to every source document.
What to do with this information
- Step 1
Find your utility's number
Use our water lookup tool or your bill to find your system, then compare its PFOA and PFOS results to 4.0 ppt.
- Step 2
Decide if it's worth treating
If your utility didn't detect PFOA or PFOS, treatment for PFAS alone is hard to justify. If it reported results near or above 4.0 ppt, a drinking-water system is a reasonable choice while the utility works toward compliance.
- Step 3
Choose a certified product
NSF/ANSI 53 (filters) and 58 (reverse osmosis) include PFOA/PFOS reduction claims and a "Total PFAS" claim.[source] Look for that exact claim on the exact model.
- Step 4
Keep up with cartridges
Certified performance assumes cartridges and membranes are changed on schedule. A Care Plan handles that.
NSF lists granular activated carbon, anion exchange resin and reverse osmosis as the most common PFAS reduction technologies.[source] For most homes the practical choice is a point-of-use system at the kitchen tap. Our PFAS filtration page and drinking-water reverse osmosis page compare them.
What about private wells?
PFAS isn't on North Carolina's required test list for new private wells.[source] If you're on a well and concerned about PFAS, it takes a specific lab test. We can help you find a certified lab through our water testing service.