PFAS in Northern Virginia water: what homeowners should know

Fairfax Water's own published testing has found PFAS in some of its Occoquan Reservoir source water above the EPA's new federal limit. If your home gets Occoquan water, that's worth understanding. It isn't an emergency, and there's a straightforward step you can take now if you'd rather not wait for the utility's fix.

What are PFAS and why do they matter?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment and can persist in the body for years. They've been used since the 1940s in everything from non-stick cookware to firefighting foam to food packaging.

The two compounds getting the most attention are PFOA and PFOS. The EPA set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of 4 parts per trillion for each.

Studies link PFAS exposure to increased risk of certain cancers, liver damage, decreased fertility, and high cholesterol. The science is still developing, but there's enough evidence for the EPA to regulate them, and the trend is toward stricter limits, not looser ones.

Which Fairfax Water sources have PFAS

Fairfax Water treats water from two sources: the Occoquan Reservoir, and the Potomac River through its Corbalis plant. Potomac-sourced water has tested below the new limits. Occoquan-sourced water has tested above them in some results, for both PFOA and PFOS.

Which plant serves your address depends on where you live. Fairfax Water publishes its PFAS data online and sends annual water quality reports, and those are the best place to check what serves your home.

The utility is installing treatment to bring all of its sources into compliance by the federal deadline. Virginia has also added state-level requirements aimed at reducing PFAS in the Occoquan Reservoir.

What you can do right now

This isn't an emergency. Whether to add filtration is a question about long-term exposure. Some families, especially those with young children or someone who's pregnant, would rather not wait.

You have a few reasonable options while the utility works on its treatment upgrades:

• Install point-of-use filtration at the kitchen sink, where you drink and cook.
• Use bottled water for drinking if you'd rather not change any plumbing.
• Keep an eye on the reports. Fairfax Water publishes its PFAS results, so you can watch the numbers and the timeline.

Any of those is a sensible choice. The rest of this post is about the first one, since that's the part we handle.

Under-sink reverse osmosis for PFAS

For PFAS in drinking water, an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) system is the most common approach. Look for a system certified to NSF 53 or NSF 58 for PFOA and PFOS reduction.

We install under-sink RO systems in Fairfax County homes, and they fit in most kitchen cabinets. They treat water at the point of use, your drinking water faucet, so the filtered water goes where you drink and cook.

An RO unit sits under the sink and feeds its own small faucet at the counter. Installing one means tying into the cold water supply and the sink drain, and finding room for the unit and its storage tank among whatever else lives in that cabinet. Getting those connections right is what keeps it from becoming a slow leak under your sink.

Carbon filtration can also reduce PFAS, but only units specifically certified for it. Whole-house carbon is mostly about taste and odor. If your goal is broader water quality rather than PFAS specifically, we may suggest a different approach based on your home's water.

The right fit depends on what you're after. If you've read about what's in Northern Virginia tap water and want better taste, less chloramine smell, or protection from specific contaminants, we'll match the equipment to that goal.

What drives the cost

The cost of an under-sink RO system depends on the unit you choose, the space under your sink, and how the drain and faucet connections are set up. Filters also need periodic replacement. Pioneer gives a written, upfront quote before any work begins.

You don't need to panic, and you don't need to wait. We're a family-owned company with decades of combined hands-on experience, licensed, bonded, and insured, and we install water filtration in Northern Virginia homes. We'll help you make sense of your water quality report and explain your options. Call (703) 508-3088 to talk it through.