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CONTAMINANT

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)

FOUND

Exceeding guidelines

STATES DETECTED

9

serves

605,000

utilities detected

64

states detected

9

serves

376,000

utilities detected

51

Overview

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFTA and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water

EWG Health Guideline: 0.006 ppt

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.006 ppt for PFTA was based on the EPA's recommended application of the toxicity value for PFDA published in the Integrated Risk Information System’s toxicological review. This health guideline protects against harm to the immune system and harm to fetal growth and child development.

ppt = parts per trillion

National Standard Exists

Health Concerns:

  • Cancer

  • Harm to the immune system

  • Hormone disruption

  • Harm to fetal growth and child development

  • Harm to the liver

Want to remove
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) from your water?

Try these filter technologies:

Activated Carbon, 

Reverse Osmosis, 

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Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) around the Country

UTILITIES REPORTING ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES UTILITIES WITH CONTAMINATION
State Utilities People Served Utilities People Served
Massachusetts16138,24429368,061
Colorado1083,6331083,633
Alabama769,399769,399
New York1043,2301043,230
New Jersey130,487130,487
Michigan26,30426,304
New Hampshire23,30323,303
California25252525
Illinois14911491

Utilities with the highest amounts of PFTA, 2018-2024

ALL UTILITIES
LARGE UTILITIES
Utility Location Tests Average level People served
Lincoln, City ofLincoln, AL1 of 1212.5 ppt10,218
Whorton Bend Water AuthorityGadsden, AL7 of 372.41 ppt2,493
Gadsden Water Works and Sewer Board*Gadsden, AL7 of 372.41 ppt44,637
Highland Water AuthorityGadsden, AL7 of 372.41 ppt3,906
Northeast Etowah County Water Co-opGadsden, AL7 of 372.41 ppt4,239
Ariton Water WorksAriton, AL1 of 61.25 ppt1,263
Morleys Mobile ParkOgdensburg, NY1 of 60.917 ppt150
Hillcrest Village Mobile Home ParkWheat Ridge, CO1 of 30.900 ppt1,505
BronsonBronson, MI1 of 50.800 ppt2,421
Horton Estates Condominium Trust Inc.Rehoboth, MA1 of 30.493 ppt64
Sulligent, City of*Sulligent, AL1 of 60.483 ppt2,643
Green Chimneys: Main WellBrewster, NY1 of 40.390 ppt150
Mount Vernon Association Inc.East Dubuque, IL1 of 60.383 ppt491
Sfpuc-pleasanton Wells*Burlingame, CA1 of 140.243 ppt1
Castlewood Domestic Water SystemRoseville, CA1 of 140.243 ppt524
Carmel Water District 6-tomahawk CreekMahopac, NY1 of 40.232 ppt80
Plainville Water Department*Plainville, MA1 of 290.208 ppt8,964
Goshen VillageGoshen, NY1 of 110.200 ppt5,600
Crowley, Town ofOrdway, CO1 of 20.155 ppt188
Crowley County Ws*Ordway, CO1 of 20.155 ppt0
Townhouses At Chance CourtCarver, MA1 of 70.146 ppt40
Indian Hills Water DistrictIndian Hills, CO3 of 90.122 ppt1,300
West Groton Water Supply DistrictGroton, MA1 of 90.108 ppt1,777
West Branch AcresBuchanan, NY1 of 130.104 ppt290
Rockwood MeadowsUpton, MA1 of 70.102 ppt80
Carmel Water District 3Mahopac, NY1 of 160.0920 ppt1,600
Bishops Landing CondominiumsStoughton, MA2 of 160.0880 ppt64
Plaistow Water Department*Atkinson, NH4 of 340.0860 ppt465
Hampstead Area Water*Atkinson, NH4 of 340.0860 ppt2,838
Devon FarmsHopewell Junction, NY1 of 120.0850 ppt200
West Newbury Water DepartmentWest Newbury, MA1 of 130.0800 ppt2,895
Kent Water District 1Kent Lakes, NY1 of 180.0730 ppt360
Regency At Bolton CondominiumsBolton, MA1 of 70.0670 ppt148
City of SterlingSterling, CO2 of 140.0600 ppt15,100
PortlandPortland, MI1 of 170.0590 ppt3,883
Sterling Water DepartmentSterling, MA2 of 420.0530 ppt7,400
Seekonk Water DistrictSeekonk, MA2 of 220.0510 ppt13,627
Eads, Town ofEads, CO1 of 80.0390 ppt622
Pepperell DPW Water DivisionPepperell, MA5 of 1470.0370 ppt8,178
Bridgewater Water DepartmentBridgewater, MA1 of 1520.0280 ppt26,563
Inverness Water & Sanitation DistrictEnglewood, CO1 of 180.0280 ppt8,140
Westborough Water DepartmentWestborough, MA2 of 650.0280 ppt18,272
Applewood Community CorporationBoxborough, MA1 of 240.0260 ppt500
Champion Water District 1 (great Bend)Carthage, NY1 of 760.0230 ppt400
Fort Drum*Fort Drum, NY1 of 760.0230 ppt34,400
City of Brighton*Brighton, CO1 of 200.0180 ppt55,201
Eastgate Village Manufactured HomesFarmington Hills, CO1 of 200.0180 ppt1,500
Brighton Village LlcFort Collins, CO1 of 200.0180 ppt77
Garfield Water DepartmentGarfield, NJ1 of 390.0180 ppt30,487
Littleton Water DepartmentLittleton, MA2 of 1490.0140 ppt9,182

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) , but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

UtilityLocationTestsAverage levelPeople served
Lincoln, City ofLincoln, AL1 of 1212.5 ppt10,218
Gadsden Water Works and Sewer Board*Gadsden, AL7 of 372.41 ppt44,637
City of SterlingSterling, CO2 of 140.0600 ppt15,100
Seekonk Water DistrictSeekonk, MA2 of 220.0510 ppt13,627
Westborough Water DepartmentWestborough, MA2 of 650.0280 ppt18,272
Bridgewater Water DepartmentBridgewater, MA1 of 1520.0280 ppt26,563
Fort Drum*Fort Drum, NY1 of 760.0230 ppt34,400
City of Brighton*Brighton, CO1 of 200.0180 ppt55,201
Garfield Water DepartmentGarfield, NJ1 of 390.0180 ppt30,487
Leominster Water Division (MWRA)Leominster, MA1 of 440.0130 ppt40,490
Peabody Water Department (MWRA)Peabody, MA1 of 610.01000 ppt52,474
Abington/rockland Joint Water WorksRockland, MA1 of 890.00800 ppt33,887
Acton Water Supply DistrictActon, MA2 of 1990.00700 ppt20,890
Auburn Water DistrictAuburn, MA1 of 1500.00700 ppt11,763
Dedham Westwood Water DistrictDedham, MA1 of 970.00500 ppt42,581
Natick Water Department*Natick, MA1 of 4140.00200 ppt36,137

* This water utility supplies finished drinking water to at least one other water utility. The purchasing utility is not required to test for or report Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA) , but it likely has the contaminant in its water supply.

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