Served by Columbus Public Water System · Ohio · about 1,309,468 people · surface water
At least one sample was above the 2024 federal limit for PFOA (highest 5.3 ng/L against a limit of 4 ng/L), in 70 samples taken between Feb 2024 and Nov 2024.
Research monitoring by EPA (UCMR 5), samples Feb 2024 – Nov 2024 · read 2026-10-31 · next check: Your utility's yearly water quality report is due by 1 July each year. EPA's next national monitoring round (UCMR 6) is planned for 2028–2030.
| Substance | Found in | Highest | 2024 limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | 1 of 10 | 5.3 ng/L | 4 ng/L |
| PFOS | 0 of 10 | below 4 ng/L | 4 ng/L |
| PFHxS | 0 of 10 | below 3 ng/L | 10 ng/L |
| PFNA | 0 of 10 | below 4 ng/L | 10 ng/L |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 0 of 10 | below 5 ng/L | 10 ng/L |
| PFBS | 1 of 10 | 11.1 ng/L | none |
| lithium | 0 of 10 | below 9 µg/L | none |
"Found in" counts samples above the laboratory reporting level. ng/L = nanograms per litre (parts per trillion); lithium is shown in µg/L as EPA reports it. "Highest" is the single highest sample at any entry point or tap, not an average. "Below the reporting level" means the laboratory did not find the substance above its minimum reporting level (MRL), the smallest amount the EPA method reports. It is a laboratory threshold, not a health threshold, and it is not the same as zero.
UCMR 5 was a one-time national monitoring programme (2023–2025). The results are a snapshot at the system's entry points or taps on the sample dates, not a continuous measurement and not a compliance record.
A single sample above a 2024 limit is a measurement, not a violation. Compliance is judged on running yearly averages, and water systems have until 2029 to meet the limits. On 20 May 2026 EPA proposed giving qualifying systems until 2031 for PFOA and PFOS and removing the limits for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA; those proposals were not final when we last checked (5 Nov 2026).
In April 2024 EPA set the first national limits for PFAS in drinking water: 4.0 ng/L for PFOA and PFOS; 10 ng/L for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX); plus a hazard index for mixtures. PFBS has no limit of its own. Lithium has no federal limit; UCMR 5 measured it for information. On 20 May 2026 EPA proposed removing the limits for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA and the hazard index; that proposal was not final when we last checked (5 Nov 2026). The PFOA and PFOS limits are not affected by it. We show the 2024 numbers as written; check EPA's PFAS rule page for the current state. EPA PFAS rule page.
Not yet on this page: the system's compliance record (violations) and its lead sampling results from EPA's SDWIS database. We will add them with their own dates and wording. Until then, the two closer sources are the utility's yearly report and EPA's public databases, linked below.
Phone and website: on your water bill, or through EPA's CCR finder above. We list no contact details we have not verified.
This page shows only the public test results. General yearly costs of filter types (and the option of buying nothing) are on a separate page that does not refer to any water system: What filters cost in general →
Columbus Public Water System (EPA ID OH2504412) serves about 1,309,468 people through about 287,233 service connections, mainly from surface water. The name on your water bill is the one that counts; a ZIP code can be served by more than one system.
At least one sample was above the 2024 federal limit for PFOA (highest 5.3 ng/L against a limit of 4 ng/L), in 70 samples taken between Feb 2024 and Nov 2024. "Below the reporting level" means the laboratory did not find the substance above its minimum reporting level (MRL), the smallest amount the EPA method reports. It is a laboratory threshold, not a health threshold, and it is not the same as zero.
No. We publish the public test results with their dates and explain what they do and do not cover. What reaches your glass also depends on the pipes in your building, and anyone with a health condition should ask their clinician about their water. The two closer sources are the utility's yearly report and a test at your own tap.
A single sample above a 2024 limit is a measurement, not a violation. Compliance is judged on running yearly averages, and water systems have until 2029 to meet the limits. On 20 May 2026 EPA proposed giving qualifying systems until 2031 for PFOA and PFOS and removing the limits for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA; those proposals were not final when we last checked (5 Nov 2026).
Every community water system must deliver a Consumer Confidence Report to its customers by 1 July each year. Use EPA's CCR finder or the utility's own website; the report covers more substances than this page.