Not all PFAS contamination is equal. While the EPA has found PFAS in water systems across all 50 states, certain cities face contamination levels that are orders of magnitude higher than the national average. These communities – often located near military bases, industrial plants, or major airports – have become ground zero in America's forever chemical crisis.
This list is based on EPA UCMR 5 data, state testing programs, and Department of Defense reports. For each city, we identify the contamination source, the measured PFAS levels, and what steps residents should take.
Check your own city: Use our free ZIP code lookup for data specific to your water system.
Primary source: Chemours Fayetteville Works plant Key contaminant: GenX (HFPO-DA) Peak detection: 631 ppt GenX in Cape Fear River water
Fayetteville's contamination story began in 2017 when researchers discovered that the Chemours chemical plant had been discharging GenX – a replacement for PFOA that Chemours marketed as "safer" – into the Cape Fear River for years without public disclosure. The river supplies drinking water to approximately 350,000 residents in the Wilmington metro area.
What makes it worse: GenX contamination extends over 100 miles downstream, and air emissions from the plant have contaminated wells and rainwater in surrounding communities. Residents report PFAS in their well water even miles from the river.
What residents should do: Install a reverse osmosis filter. Check if you qualify for Chemours' alternative water supply program. Look up your ZIP code for specific data.
Primary source: Former Wurtsmith Air Force Base Key contaminants: PFOS, PFOA Peak detection: 110,000+ ppt PFOS in groundwater near the base
The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base used AFFF firefighting foam for decades during training exercises. The resulting contamination has created a PFOS plume that extends into nearby lakes, rivers, and residential wells. Some groundwater samples near the base have shown PFOS levels exceeding 110,000 ppt – nearly 28,000 times the EPA's new 4 ppt limit.
What makes it worse: The contamination has reached Van Etten Lake, a popular recreational area. Fish consumption advisories are in effect, and property values in the area have plummeted.
What residents should do: Do NOT drink well water without testing. The Air Force has provided bottled water and water treatment systems to some affected residents. Contact the Wurtsmith Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board for updates.
Primary source: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics / Honeywell Key contaminants: PFOA Peak detection: 2,200+ ppt PFOA in public water supply
Hoosick Falls gained national attention in 2015 when a resident's private well test revealed PFOA levels of 540 ppt – at a time when the EPA's health advisory was 400 ppt. Subsequent testing found PFOA contamination throughout the village's water system, traced to manufacturing operations at the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics facility.
What makes it worse: For years, state and federal officials told residents the water was safe to drink, even as internal EPA communications expressed concern. The community's trust in government agencies was severely damaged.
Current status: A new municipal water treatment system is operational, and PFOA levels in treated water are now below detection limits. Saint-Gobain has settled lawsuits with residents and the state.
Primary source: DuPont Washington Works plant Key contaminants: PFOA (C8) Peak detection: 80,000+ ppt PFOA in water near the plant
Parkersburg is where the modern PFAS crisis began. DuPont's Washington Works facility manufactured Teflon using PFOA for decades, dumping waste into the Ohio River and local landfills. Attorney Rob Bilott's investigation, later depicted in the movie "Dark Waters," revealed that DuPont had known about PFOA's toxicity since the 1960s.
What makes it worse: The C8 Health Study of 69,000 local residents found probable links between PFOA exposure and six diseases. Despite this, contamination continued for years after the study's findings were published.
Current status: DuPont has installed carbon filtration systems for affected water districts. The $1.19 billion DuPont/Chemours/Corteva settlement provides ongoing funding for water treatment.
Primary source: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Key contaminants: PFOA, PFOS Peak detection: 2,440 ppt PFOA in private wells
Saint-Gobain's plastics manufacturing facility in Merrimack released PFAS through air emissions and wastewater discharge, contaminating private wells in a wide area surrounding the plant. The contamination was discovered in 2016 during routine testing by the state.
What makes it worse: New Hampshire has some of the strictest PFAS standards in the nation (12 ppt for PFOA), meaning many wells exceeded limits by hundreds of times.
Current status: Saint-Gobain has provided bottled water and whole-house treatment systems to affected residents. The state has filed lawsuits against the company.
Primary source: Former Pease Air Force Base (now Pease International Tradeport) Key contaminants: PFOS Peak detection: 2,200+ ppt PFOS in base drinking water well
The former Pease Air Force Base served as a Strategic Air Command installation where AFFF was used extensively. A drinking water well serving the base and adjacent businesses was found to have PFOS levels exceeding 2,200 ppt – over 550 times the current EPA limit.
What makes it worse: Approximately 1,500 workers – including day care employees and children – were exposed to contaminated water at the Tradeport for years before testing occurred.
Current status: The contaminated well has been shut down, and the Air Force is conducting a long-term health study of exposed individuals.
Primary source: Former Naval Air Warfare Center Warminster and Horsham Air Guard Station Key contaminants: PFOS, PFOA Peak detection: 70,000+ ppt in groundwater
Two adjacent military installations in Bucks and Montgomery Counties created overlapping PFAS contamination plumes that affected multiple public water systems and hundreds of private wells.
What makes it worse: The contamination affects a densely populated suburban area with schools, parks, and residential neighborhoods built directly over contaminated groundwater.
Current status: The Navy has installed carbon filtration for several public water systems. Private well remediation is ongoing.
Primary source: Tyco Fire Products / Johnson Controls Key contaminants: PFOS, PFOA, and 20+ other PFAS Peak detection: 1,580 ppt in private wells
Tyco Fire Products (now owned by Johnson Controls) tested AFFF products at its Fire Technology Center in Marinette for decades. PFAS from these tests contaminated groundwater flowing toward the city of Marinette and the town of Peshtigo, reaching private wells and surface water.
What makes it worse: The contamination plume extends to the Menominee River and Green Bay (Lake Michigan), creating ecological contamination beyond the drinking water impact.
Current status: Johnson Controls has provided alternative water supplies and is conducting a $750 million cleanup. The company has also settled state and federal claims.
Primary source: 3M's Cottage Grove and Oakdale facilities Key contaminants: PFOA, PFOS, PFBS Peak detection: Multiple wells exceeding 1,000 ppt
3M manufactured PFAS compounds at facilities in Minnesota's eastern suburbs for decades. Waste disposal at several sites contaminated groundwater that supplies private and public wells across a wide area.
What makes it worse: Minnesota is 3M's home state, and the extent of contamination was particularly embarrassing for the company. The state sued 3M and won an $850 million settlement in 2018.
Current status: 3M has funded groundwater treatment systems and is providing treated water to affected communities. The state continues to monitor over 100 contaminated sites.
Primary source: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and multiple industrial sites Key contaminants: PFOS, PFOA Peak detection: Significant detections in Tucson Water wells
Tucson faces PFAS contamination from multiple sources including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson International Airport, and several industrial facilities. The arid climate and reliance on groundwater make the contamination particularly impactful.
What makes it worse: Tucson's primary water source is groundwater, and PFAS contamination has forced the closure of several production wells, straining an already limited water supply in the desert Southwest.
Current status: Tucson Water has installed treatment systems at affected wells and is monitoring contamination levels.
The most reliable way is to check your ZIP code against EPA testing data. City-level rankings provide general context, but contamination varies significantly within metro areas based on which water system serves your address.
Military installations used massive quantities of AFFF firefighting foam during training exercises, equipment testing, and emergency responses from the 1970s onward. AFFF contains extremely high PFAS concentrations, and decades of use saturated the soil and groundwater around these bases.
Research shows that homes near known PFAS contamination sources can experience property value declines of 5-15%. Some homeowners have successfully included property damage in PFAS lawsuits. If you're considering buying or selling in an affected area, a PFAS-specific home inspection is recommended.
Yes, but it's expensive and time-consuming. Municipal water treatment using granular activated carbon or ion exchange is effective for drinking water. Groundwater remediation at contaminated sites can take decades and cost millions. Prevention – stopping new PFAS releases – is ultimately more effective than cleanup.
This list focuses on the most severe cases, but PFAS contamination exists in communities across all 50 states. A city not making this list doesn't mean your water is safe – always check your specific ZIP code for actual test data.
You can Check your water quality by zip code to see if your area is affected. If you're looking for solutions, Find water filters that remove PFAS certified for removal. Browse cities with PFAS data to compare your area with others.
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