People often assume that detecting PFAS—or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—in public water means their home water is unsafe. This is not accurate. Detection simply means measurements found these fluorinated compounds at certain levels in the water system that serves the area, not that any one household's water has those exact amounts or poses a defined health risk. Any household water testing is necessary to know the specific quality at a property.
If you want to understand the potential mixture hazard of newer PFAS compounds
Recent EPA assessments include a hazard index concept for mixtures of newer PFAS compounds. This index helps evaluate combined exposure potential but does not indicate a clear health outcome or violation. It is a tool for regulatory and research analysis, not a direct safety judgment for residential users. Households may consider this information to understand the complexity and number of different fluorinated substances in their water system.
If you want to know which fluorinated compounds now have 2024 federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs)
The Meriden Water Division, which supplies Berlin, Cheshire, Meriden, Southington, Wallingford, and surrounding New Haven County, was part of the 2023-2025 EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR5) survey. This survey detected several PFAS compounds, with some exceeding newly established federal MCLs effective in 2024:
- PFOA: 2 out of 19 samples detected levels above 0.004 micrograms per liter (µg/L) with the highest at 0.0061 µg/L. The federal MCL for PFOA is 4.0 nanograms per liter (ng/L), equivalent to 0.004 µg/L, and the 2 samples were above this threshold.
- PFOS: 3 out of 19 samples detected above the reporting level of 0.004 µg/L. The highest detection was 0.0095 µg/L. The federal MCL for PFOS is also 4.0 ng/L, and these 3 samples exceeded it.
- PFHxS: 1 sample detected at 0.004 µg/L, below the federal MCL of 10 ng/L.
Other compounds such as PFNA, HFPO-DA, PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA, and PFHpA were either not detected above their reporting levels or were below the associated federal MCLs. This data reflects system-wide monitoring results, not individual household water quality.
If you want to understand how UCMR5 monitoring differs from the earlier UCMR3 survey
UCMR5 expanded the list of PFAS compounds monitored and lowered detection reporting levels compared to UCMR3. This means it can identify a broader range of 'forever chemicals' at lower concentrations, allowing for finer detail in water quality characterization. Households reviewing water quality data from these surveys should note that newer data may show detections not previously observed due to improved sensitivity and compound coverage.
If you are a commercial or industrial operator considering additional water quality questions
Commercial or industrial users typically require analysis beyond household considerations, often including higher-volume water demands, regulatory compliance for discharge, or specific chemical sensitivities. These operators may need to address PFAS treatment alongside other constituents or consider different treatment technologies adapted to their operational scale and water use patterns.
If you are evaluating treatment options relative to household water use
When choosing a treatment solution for PFAS, a key factor is matching the system's capacity to your household's daily water demand. Residential users should estimate average daily consumption to ensure effective removal without overcapacity or undersizing. Treatment devices ship ready to configure, allowing for straightforward integration into home water systems without professional assistance.
The Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter is a documented treatment technology that addresses a broad spectrum of PFAS detected in this region. It is designed to handle residential-scale water demands and to reduce exposure to these fluorinated compounds. Selecting this filter after evaluating your daily water usage and considering local PFAS occurrence data can provide a practical approach to managing 'forever chemicals' in your household water.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2024-04-30. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for MERIDEN WATER DIVISION (CT0800011), CT: 190 results across 10 listed contaminants, 12 detections above the reporting level; 5 results above a 2024 federal MCL
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