--- title: "Can PFAS Be Removed From Drinking Water? What Works" description: "Yes. EPA names four ways to remove PFAS from water: activated carbon, anion exchange, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. See what works at home." url: https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/can-pfas-be-removed-from-drinking-water publisher: Advanced Environmental Services phone: +1-314-865-2662 quote: https://www.aes-stl.com/contact --- PFAS: 6 min read, published August 28, 2026 # Can PFAS Be Removed From Drinking Water? What Works Yes. EPA names granular activated carbon, anion exchange, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration as the best available technologies for meeting its PFAS limits. EPA says a home filter could also be an effective way to reduce PFAS, if it is certified for PFAS and maintained. A filter may not help if your water has no PFAS. [Request a Quote](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact)[(314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662) ![Aircraft hangar with a yellow fire truck and equipment during an AES PFAS project](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/pfas-2025-06-24-11.09.00.CKLsY786_1Qvvzs.webp) ![Red fire suppression tanks and piping in an aircraft hangar during an AES PFAS project](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/pfas-2025-06-24-10.58.33.C9OzVSit_Z1cGw0W.webp) ![Large warehouse floor with AES equipment in the distance](https://www.aes-stl.com/_astro/pfas-warehouse-2025-12-03-11.52.27.BVKPsHAu_sbKVc.webp) ## Can PFAS be removed from drinking water? Yes. EPA names four technologies as the best available ways to meet its PFAS limits: granular activated carbon, anion exchange, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration. Each one pulls PFAS out of the water, and each one leaves the PFAS somewhere else. A certified home filter can also reduce PFAS, if you maintain it. The top results for this question are national and written for water utilities. This post is written for a St. Louis homeowner or building owner. It tells you what to do first, which filter types EPA lists, and what the filter cannot do. ## Should I filter at all? Test first. Find out whether you have PFAS before you buy anything. EPA’s home filter fact sheet says to contact your local water provider and ask which PFAS, if any, are in your drinking water. It adds that if PFAS have not been measured, or have been measured but are below federal limits, a filter may not be useful to you. In the City of St. Louis, the Water Division says it has done periodic voluntary PFAS sampling since 2020 and takes part in EPA’s Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, which tests for 29 different PFAS. The Division says samples from both treatment plants in June 2024 showed all PFAS below detection limits. That result covers the City’s plants. It does not cover a private well, an old pipe in your building, or another provider’s system. Private well owners have no utility doing the testing for them. A lab test is the only way to know. Our guide to [PFAS testing for property owners](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/pfas-testing-for-property-owners) explains what to ask a lab, and the [PFAS testing](https://www.aes-stl.com/pfas-testing) page covers AES’s service. Words like [PFOA](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/pfoa) and [PFOS](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/pfos) are in the glossary. ## What technologies actually remove PFAS? Four, according to EPA. The table shows how each works and the main catch EPA names. Method How it removes PFAS Main catch Granular activated carbon (GAC) Water passes through carbon and PFAS “sticks” to it The carbon must be changed when it fills up Anion exchange Media swap their anions for the PFAS The media must be replaced when exhausted Reverse osmosis High pressure membrane splits water into clean water and a concentrated stream Brine disposal; very high cost at utility scale Nanofiltration A lower pressure membrane that removes larger molecules such as PFAS Brine disposal EPA writes these for water systems, not households. It also says water systems may use any technology or practice to meet the limits and are not limited to these four. The same ideas power home filters. Its home filter fact sheet lists three filter types that can be effective at reducing PFAS: charcoal (granular activated carbon), reverse osmosis systems and ion exchange resins. For more on each method, see the glossary pages for [granular activated carbon](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/granular-activated-carbon-gac) and [ion exchange](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/ion-exchange), and our [PFAS water treatment](https://www.aes-stl.com/pfas-water-treatment) and [PFAS treatment technologies](https://www.aes-stl.com/pfas-treatment-technologies) pages. ## What does a home filter cost, and what should it say on the box? EPA says a filter can cost as little as $20 or more than $1,000, not including maintenance costs. Price depends on type and brand, and on whether the filter is a pitcher, a faucet unit or a whole-home system. Maintenance and disposal add cost. Look for certification, not a marketing claim. EPA says to check the packaging for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 for PFAS reduction. If you are unsure, check the certification body’s product directory. EPA’s fact sheet lists five accredited bodies: CSA Group, IAPMO R&T, NSF, UL and WQA. Read the fine print. The April 2024 fact sheet says filter certifications focus on PFOA and PFOS. It also says the certification standards at that time did not yet show a filter would remove PFAS down to the levels EPA set in its drinking water standard. So a certified filter is a good step, but it is not proof that your water meets every limit. EPA’s treatment fact sheet also says it has not designated point of use or point of entry devices, meaning tap or whole-home units, as compliance options for water systems, because the rules call for levels below current certification standards. That is a rule for utilities. It does not stop you from using a filter at home. For PFAS testing or treatment at a property, AES quotes each job; call (314) 865-2662 or use [/contact](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). ## Why does treating PFAS take a special filter? PFAS are built to last, which is why people call them [forever chemicals](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/forever-chemicals). EPA says they repel oil and water and resist heat. That is why common fixes fail. EPA’s home filter fact sheet says not all filters address PFAS, and it tells buyers to choose one certified to remove or reduce PFAS in drinking water. The Minnesota Department of Health adds two warnings. It says “Boiling water will not remove PFAS.” It also says that other common water treatment systems, such as water softeners or iron filtration systems, are not likely to remove PFAS. Common fix Does it remove PFAS? Source Boiling the water No Minnesota Department of Health Water softener or iron filter Not likely Minnesota Department of Health Filter without PFAS certification Not shown EPA: not all filters address PFAS Carbon, reverse osmosis or ion exchange filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 Can reduce PFAS when maintained EPA home filter fact sheet That is also why levels are measured in [parts per trillion](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/parts-per-trillion-ppt). A lab has to see very small amounts. A filter claim that sounds good on a box still needs a certification you can look up. ## What happens after the filter is installed? You have a maintenance job. EPA says filters are only effective if they are maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and that skipping replacement can increase exposure. Treat the replacement date like a smoke alarm battery. Plan for the used filter too. EPA says today’s technologies separate PFAS from water and create PFAS-containing materials that must be managed. At utility scale, EPA says spent carbon can be landfilled, incinerated or reactivated. For a home cartridge, ask the maker about disposal. ## What can a filter not do? A filter cannot clean up a contaminated site. It treats water at one tap or one building. It does nothing for PFAS in soil, in groundwater under your property, or in a source that keeps feeding your well. Commercial and industrial owners face a bigger question. If PFAS are in your water because of a release at a site, treatment at the tap is a stopgap. The source needs investigation and cleanup. That is the work on our [PFAS remediation](https://www.aes-stl.com/pfas-removal) pages, and the [PFAS drinking water](https://www.aes-stl.com/pfas-drinking-water) page covers the water side. ## What should I do this week? Take these five steps in order. 1. **Call your water provider.** Ask which PFAS they have measured and when. 2. **If you have a private well, order a lab test.** Ask the lab which PFAS compounds it reports and at what detection limit. 3. **Read the result against federal limits.** Our [explainer on the PFAS drinking water rule](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/pfas-drinking-water-rule-explained) helps. 4. **If you filter, buy certified.** Look for NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFAS reduction. 5. **Write down the replacement date** on the day you install it. ## Next step If you need PFAS testing or a plan for a property, start with the [PFAS](https://www.aes-stl.com/pfas) page. Then call Advanced Environmental Services at (314) 865-2662 or send the form at [/contact](https://www.aes-stl.com/contact). Glossary: [PFAS](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/pfas). ## Frequently asked questions ### What removes PFAS from drinking water? EPA identifies granular activated carbon, anion exchange, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration as best available technologies for meeting its PFAS limits. EPA also lists charcoal (GAC), reverse osmosis and ion exchange resin filters as types of home filters that can reduce PFAS when certified and maintained. ### Do I need a PFAS filter at home? Test or look up your water first. EPA's home filter fact sheet says to contact your local water provider to find out which PFAS, if any, are in your water. If PFAS have not been measured, or are below federal limits, a filter may not be useful to you. ### What certification should a PFAS filter have? EPA says to check the packaging for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 for PFAS reduction. Its April 2024 fact sheet notes that filter certifications focus on PFOA and PFOS, and do not yet show a filter reaches the levels in EPA's drinking water standard. ### How much does a PFAS filter cost? EPA says a filter can cost as little as $20 or more than $1,000, not including maintenance costs. Price varies by type, brand, and whether it is a pitcher filter, a faucet filter or a whole-home system. Disposal and replacement costs are extra. ### Does the filter need maintenance? Yes. EPA says filters are only effective if they are maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions. Not replacing a filter on the recommended schedule can increase your risk of exposure to PFAS. Put the change date on a calendar when you install it. ### What happens to the PFAS that gets filtered out? It stays in the media or the waste stream. EPA says current technologies separate PFAS from water and create PFAS-containing materials that must be managed. Spent carbon can be landfilled, incinerated or reactivated, and membrane systems must deal with a concentrated brine. ## Terms on this page - [Granular activated carbon (GAC)](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/granular-activated-carbon-gac) - [Parts per trillion (ppt)](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/parts-per-trillion-ppt) - [Forever chemicals](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/forever-chemicals) - [Ion exchange](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/ion-exchange) - [PFAS](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/pfas) - [PFOA](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/pfoa) - [PFOS](https://www.aes-stl.com/glossary/pfos) ## Sources 1. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (best available technologies)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) 2. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (GAC)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) 3. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (GAC replacement)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) 4. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (anion exchange)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) 5. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (membranes)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) 6. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (waste)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) 7. [US EPA: Reducing PFAS in Your Drinking Water with a Home Filter (need)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf) 8. [US EPA: Reducing PFAS in Your Drinking Water with a Home Filter (certification)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf) 9. [US EPA: Reducing PFAS in Your Drinking Water with a Home Filter (cost)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf) 10. [US EPA: Reducing PFAS in Your Drinking Water with a Home Filter (maintenance)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/water-filter-fact-sheet.pdf) 11. [City of St. Louis Water Division: PFAS](https://www.stlwater.com/water-u/pfas/) 12. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (POU and POE)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) 13. [Minnesota Department of Health: PFAS and Home Treatment of Water (boiling)](https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfashometreat.html) 14. [Minnesota Department of Health: PFAS and Home Treatment of Water (softeners)](https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/hazardous/topics/pfashometreat.html) 15. [US EPA: Treatment Options for Removing PFAS from Drinking Water (not limited to BATs)](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-04/pfas-npdwr_fact-sheet_treatment_4.8.24.pdf) Written by Advanced Environmental Services and checked against the sources above on August 28, 2026. Rules change, so check the linked page before you act. ## Keep reading - [The EPA PFAS drinking water rule explained: limits, deadlines and what is proposedEPA's 2024 rule sets legally enforceable limits for six PFAS in public drinking water, including 4.0 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS. Compliance is due in 2029. As of October 30, 2026, EPA has proposed, but not finalized, an optional extension to 2031 and the removal of four other limits.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/pfas-drinking-water-rule-explained) - [PFAS testing for property owners: when to test, how sampling works and what results meanTest for PFAS if your property sits near an airport, military base, landfill or industrial site, used firefighting foam, or draws from a private well. A site assessment picks sample points, trained staff collect clean samples, and an accredited lab reports results in parts per trillion. AES says most results arrive in two to four weeks.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/pfas-testing-for-property-owners) - [How Much Does PFAS Water Testing Cost? Lab Prices ExplainedPublished prices run from about $250 to $680 for one drinking water sample. Wisconsin's state lab lists $380 per sample for the 18-compound EPA 537.1 method, or $680 with a $300 field reagent blank, and $450 for 40 compounds by EPA 1633A. Planet Detroit reports $250 to $490, by lab and scope. AES quotes each job.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/how-much-does-pfas-water-testing-cost) - [EPA keeps PFOA and PFOS limits, proposes a 2031 deadline optionAs of October 30, 2026, EPA's page describes a proposed rule, not a final one. It would keep the PFOA and PFOS limits at 4.0 parts per trillion each and let water systems request two more years, to 2031, to comply. EPA announced it May 18, 2026. The comment period closed July 20, 2026.](https://www.aes-stl.com/blog/epa-pfas-drinking-water-rule-2031-proposal) - [The asbestos removal process, step by stepProfessional asbestos removal follows a set order. A certified inspector surveys and samples the material. A registered contractor files notice with Missouri DNR when required, seals the work area, removes the material wet, bags and disposes of it, cleans with HEPA vacuums, and passes an air clearance test.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/asbestos-removal-process) - [Lead help in St. Louis: free inspections, grants, landlord rules and who may do the workThe City of St. Louis inspects for lead free where a child under six or a pregnant woman lives. St. Louis County inspects free when a child under six lives or visits there and has a recent venous blood lead test. Both offer repair help with income and child rules. Lead abatement needs a Missouri licensed contractor, unless the owner does it personally, only the owner or immediate family live there, no child there has an elevated blood lead level, the owner consults DHSS first, and federal rules permit it.](https://www.aes-stl.com/guides/lead-help-in-st-louis) ## Request your custom environmental remediation estimate Contact us for a free environmental remediation or restoration estimate and a personalized solution to your problems. [Or call (314) 865-2662](tel:+1-314-865-2662)