How Does the UCMR5 Survey in Cuyahoga County Differ From the Earlier UCMR3 in Which PFAS Compounds Were Tested and Detection Levels?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) periodically conducts Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules (UCMR) surveys to gather data on chemicals that may be present in public water systems but are not yet regulated. The UCMR5 survey, covering 2023 to 2025, studies a different range of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—also called fluorinated compounds or “forever chemicals”—from those in the UCMR3 survey conducted in the earlier decade.
In Cuyahoga County’s Cleveland Public Water System, UCMR5 measured 10 PFAS compounds with reporting levels as low as 0.003 micrograms per liter (µg/L), or nanograms per liter (ng/L). This survey included newer substances such as HFPO-DA and PFHxS, in addition to previously monitored compounds like PFOA and PFOS. The more sensitive detection limits and expanded compound list improve the understanding of these chemicals’ presence in surface water sources serving over 1.3 million people.
Which PFAS Compounds Measured in Cuyahoga’s Water System Now Have Federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) Effective in 2024, and Which Remain Without Such Limits?
Starting in 2024, the EPA established federal MCLs for several PFAS compounds to provide enforceable standards. In the Cleveland Public Water System, the compounds with new MCLs include:
- PFOA – 4.0 ng/L (4.0 parts per trillion, ppt)
- PFOS – 4.0 ng/L
- PFHxS – 10 ng/L
- PFNA – 10 ng/L
- HFPO-DA – 10 ng/L
The other five PFAS compounds sampled—PFBS, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBA, and PFHpA—do not currently have federal MCLs. This means these substances are monitored but not subject to legally enforceable limits yet.
What Additional Considerations Do Commercial and Industrial Water Users Have Compared to a Household in Weighing These Data?
Commercial and industrial operators often face regulatory requirements and process sensitivities that households do not, including:
- Stricter discharge permits and reporting obligations related to PFAS.
- Potential product liability or supply chain pressures to verify water purity.
- Technical needs for very low contaminant levels to protect sensitive manufacturing processes.
Households can focus primarily on water quality impacts relevant to human consumption and typical usage, while businesses may need specific certifications or treatment guarantees beyond typical household concerns.
Which Household or Facility Symptoms Could Indicate PFAS Presence, and Which Are Unrelated?
PFAS compounds are not associated with taste or odor symptoms that one would notice in water. Unlike contaminants causing staining or corrosion, PFAS are tasteless and odorless at levels typically detected. Symptoms such as skin irritation, laundry spotting, or metallic taste do not indicate PFAS presence.
To assess PFAS exposure in household water, testing with specialized laboratories capable of detecting compounds at parts per trillion levels is necessary. Neither appearance nor common water quality symptoms reliably suggest PFAS concentrations.
What Does the Measured Range of PFAS in Cuyahoga’s Public Water System Tell Us Against the New Federal Standards, and What Does It Not Tell Us?
The Cleveland Public Water System’s 16 sample results for each PFAS compound showed no detections above reporting levels, all well below the 2024 federal MCLs. This means no measurable PFAS concentrations exceeded these health-based standards across the system’s surface water supply during this period.
However, these results do not describe the water quality in any individual household’s plumbing. Local plumbing materials, well water if applicable, or changes downstream could alter a home’s water profile. Testing a household’s water directly remains the sole method to confirm PFAS concentrations at that premise.
Given this context, households evaluating treatment options for PFAS will want to consider direct water testing and an effective approach to address potential “forever chemicals.” One documented technology suitable for residential use is the Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter, which ships ready to configure and targets the removal of various fluorinated compounds.
Summary
Federal UCMR5 monitoring of Cuyahoga County’s Cleveland Public Water System expanded the range of PFAS compounds tested and provided more sensitive detection limits than earlier surveys. The system’s sampled surface water showed no detectible PFAS above reporting levels or 2024 federal MCLs.
Households deciding between treatment methods should understand the difference in federal regulatory data versus their own tap water quality, consider testing their water for PFAS, and can look to specialized filtration technologies like the Fleck PFAS Forever Chemicals Filter for targeted reduction of these fluorinated substances.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-06-03. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025) for CLEVELAND PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM (OH1801212), OH: 160 results across 10 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
- ✓ 90-Day Money-BackNo restocking fees — return within 90 days.
- ✓ Manufacturer WarrantyGenuine Fleck · Pentair · VIQUA equipment.
- ✓ Free Expert SizingTalk to a specialist and buy the right system the first time.