Recommended Free Tools
For public water, ask your utility for PFAS test results, review its Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), and search the EPA’s UCMR 5 Data Finder or PFAS Analytic Tools. For a private well, ask your state environmental or health agency for testing advice and a list of state-certified drinking-water laboratories. A missing result or a “not detected” finding does not prove that the water contains zero PFAS.
Check public water through your utility and EPA records
- Identify your water provider. Check a water bill, or ask your landlord or local government which public water system serves your address.
- Ask the utility for its PFAS results. Ask whether it has tested, which PFAS it measured, when it collected samples, what the results were, and what action it is taking. EPA notes that some systems may not yet have this information. Its guidance says, “If you choose to test your water yourself, it is important to use a state-certified laboratory using EPA-developed testing methods.” EPA utility guidance.
- Read the latest CCR. Also called an annual drinking-water quality report, the CCR may include UCMR results when contaminants were measured at or above minimum reporting levels. Ask the utility for the report or use EPA’s CCR search tool.
- Search EPA’s PFAS data tools. Use the UCMR 5 Data Finder or PFAS Analytic Tools. Search by public water system and state; the tools allow filtering by system, state, contaminant, source-water type, and result thresholds. EPA released the final UCMR 5 dataset for 29 PFAS and lithium in August 2026.
- Ask your state if the records are incomplete. Contact the state drinking-water program about other testing or public records. If you arrange independent testing, use a state-certified laboratory and ask about EPA-developed methods.
What UCMR 5 coverage and results mean
UCMR 5 did not include every small water system. Among systems serving fewer than 3,300 people, EPA selected a nationally representative sample of 800 systems. Therefore, no result in the database may mean that the system was not included or that data are not available; it does not establish that the water is PFAS-free.
A blank result or “less than MRL” means the measured amount was below the program’s minimum reporting level, not that the chemical was absolutely absent. EPA reports UCMR 5 minimum reporting levels of 0.002 to 0.02 micrograms per liter (2 to 20 nanograms per liter) for the 29 PFAS; these are reporting levels, not health standards. UCMR results alone also do not determine whether a system complies with the PFAS drinking-water rule. See EPA’s UCMR 5 data and limitations.
Test a private well for PFAS
- Start with your state. Contact your state environmental or health agency for local guidance and a list of certified drinking-water laboratories. EPA does not test household water on request.
- Confirm the lab’s qualifications. Ask whether it is certified for drinking-water testing and certified or otherwise approved for PFAS analysis in your state. Certification availability varies as states establish PFAS programs.
- Check the method and analyte panel. Ask which compounds the lab measures and what method it uses. EPA Methods 533 and 537.1 are approved for UCMR 5 and PFAS drinking-water regulation monitoring. EPA describes Methods 533, 537, and 537.1 as supporting analysis of 29 PFAS; Method 537.1 Version 2.0 superseded Method 537 for most applications. A lab’s panel may cover fewer compounds, so verify the exact list rather than assuming it measures all PFAS. See EPA’s analytical methods guidance.
- Follow sampling directions exactly. Use the lab’s specified container and follow its collection, storage, and shipping instructions. Do not assume a generic home kit or self-collected sample meets compliance-quality requirements. Ask the lab or state program what decisions the result is suitable for.
- Review the result with the lab or state agency. Confirm which compounds were measured, the reported concentrations, and the reporting limits. Ask how the lab defines “not detected.” EPA advises comparing results with state standards or current federal guidance as applicable.
EPA does not regulate private wells or provide recommended standards for them. Do not assume a public-water-system rule applies to a private well; ask your state for advice specific to your location. See EPA’s private-well guidance.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- AT-HOME TEST FOR 29 COMPOUNDS: The most comprehensive and advanced PFAS water analysis covering 29 chemicals, including PFOA, PFAS, PFNA, and more—all from one easy-to-use kit. See images for full list of compounds.
- USE FOR ALL TYPES OF DRINKING WATER: Ideal for testing tap, city, well, filtered, rain, and any source of drinking water. PFAS chemicals can enter your water through landfill runoff, industrial chemicals, and more, making testing useful across all household water sources.
- FAST, CLEAR REPORTS: Verified, accurate results within 5 business days of sample delivery to lab. Our easy-to-read, actionable reports interpret your levels against federal guidelines, and help educate you on your home's water safety.
- LEADING WATER TESTING LAB IN THE USA: Every test is processed in our USA based lab, accredited by ISO/IEC 17025 and certified by the EPA & NELAP, ensuring accurate and quality results.
- ALL-IN-ONE KIT: This simple test kit includes clear instructions, sample collection materials and prepaid return shipping, with no hidden costs.
Understand what a PFAS result can tell you
A result describes the sample collected on a particular date, the compounds included in the test, and the method and reporting limit used. “Not detected” means the test did not report a compound at or above its applicable threshold; it is not proof of zero PFAS. Likewise, a public-system database may not cover every system or location. Keep the analyte list and reporting limit with the result when interpreting it.
Regulatory information can change. EPA’s drinking-water regulation page lists the final 2024 rule for six PFAS and reports that EPA announced two proposed rule changes on May 18, 2026. Those proposals are not final rules. For current comparisons, consult EPA and your state rather than applying an undated universal threshold.
Rank #2
- BEST WATER TEST: Tap Score is fast, accurate and easy. Tap Score laboratory test kits are utilized by millions of American homes and businesses every year.
- CERTIFIED LABS: Tap Score’s network of EPA/NELAC/ISO and State Certified Labs provides you the fastest and most accurate results for thousands of contaminants found in drinking water.
- TESTS FOR: 18 PFAS compounds including PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid), PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid), Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, Perfluoroheptanoic acid, Perfluorononanoic acid, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid, Perfluoroundecanoic acid, Perfluorododecanoic acid, Perfluorodecanoic acid, Perfluorohexanoic acid, NEtFOSAA, NMeFOSAA, Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, Perfluorotridecanoic acid, GenX, 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, and 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid
- EPA METHOD: 537.1 detects analytes to concentrations below 2 parts per trillion (PPT)
- INCLUDES EVERYTHING: Sterilized and Preserved Water Sampling Vials with Pre-Paid Shipping Label for the Lab
What to do if PFAS is detected
Contact your water utility or state environmental or health agency to discuss the result and appropriate next steps. EPA says people may consider a home treatment system or filtered pitcher certified to reduce PFAS. Check the exact model in an accredited certifier’s current directory and verify which PFAS the certification covers; a generic filter claim is not evidence of PFAS reduction, and a filter is not a substitute for testing. EPA’s private-well guidance says that, as of April 2024, filter certifications focused on PFOA and PFOS. See EPA’s private-well guidance and exposure-reduction guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 17 IMPORTANT PARAMETERS: The Varify Premium Drinking Water Test Kit offers an unrivaled, complete analysis of your drinking water by testing for 17 essential parameters. This includes crucial tests for chlorine, fluoride, lead, iron, bacteria, and more, ensuring that you're fully informed about the quality of your water. With this extensive range of testing capabilities, you can detect contaminants and imbalances that could affect your health, providing a holistic view of your water's safety.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: Varify stands out with its professional-grade quality, ensuring that every test strip in the kit meets the standards of precision and reliability. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this kit is designed to provide you with a dependable and thorough analysis of your water's composition.
- EASY TO USE: Varify's water test strips and Bacteria Test kits feature a user-friendly, color-coded system for quick and precise water quality assessments. With clear color changes indicating various parameters, these strips make complex data easily understandable, ensuring you can evaluate your water's safety effortlessly in just minutes.
- ACCURATE AND RELIABLE: Varify's water test kit comes with 100 strips in 5 separately sealed pouches (20 strips each), preserving freshness and extending shelf life for dependable testing. It also includes 2 easy-to-use bacteria tests that deliver results in 48 hours, ensuring thorough and accurate assessment of your water's safety and cleanliness. This design ensures precision and convenience in monitoring your water quality.
- WATER TESTING KITS THAT GIVE BACK: With every Varify test kit, not only do you secure the safety of your drinking water with our precise and easy-to-use testing solutions, but you also contribute to a global cause. A portion of proceeds goes to Water For Good, fighting water poverty in Central Africa. This means each test not only brings peace of mind to you but also supports #CleanWaterWorldwide, making a real difference in communities in need.
Rank #4
- FOR ANY DRINKING WATER SOURCE: This is an ideal test for any home served by a utility or well–especially wells near farming or industrial activity. Analysis includes basic chemistry, metals, minerals, bacteria, and organic chemistry related to chlorine or industrial contamination.
- TESTS FOR: 116 Analytes, including Heavy Metals, Coliform & E. coli Bacteria, Disinfection Byproducts, Nitrates, and pH, Hardness, Alkalinity, and other Calculated Parameters (see more on listing image)
- METALS AND MINERALS: Aluminium, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Cadmium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Molybdenum, Nickel, Selenium, Silica, Silver, Thallium, Tin, Titanium, Uranium, Vanadium, Zinc
- CERTIFIED LABS: Tap Score’s network of EPA/NELAC/ISO and State Certified Labs provides you the fastest and most accurate results for thousands of contaminants found in drinking water.
- INCLUDES EVERYTHING: Each test kit includes easy sampling materials, clear instructions, pre-paid return shipping labels and access to a thorough but easy to read lab report with unbiased filtration recommendations, health guidance and taste evaluation (when applicable).
Rank #3
- Clear Range: This house water testing kit offers clear, easy to read results and acceptable ranges for all substances. The water contaminant tester delivers clear results on any type of water
- Easy to Use: The water hardness test kit for water softener is as easy as adding the water, setting a timer, and reading the results. The pH strips for water testing come with an easy-to-read results guide
- Easy to Understand: The water tester for drinking water comes with a clear guide on the outside of the bottle that lines up with each strip, from alkaline level to soft characteristic readings
- Data Sheet Included: These water testing kits for drinking water include a data sheet to record readings for later analysis. The complete water tester for chemicals has it all
- Peace of Mind: This well water test kit comes with a 17-in-1 test strip and 2 separate bacteria tests to check for coliform and e coli. Knowing what’s in the water for peace of mind is easy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
