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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Rule

This page is for public water systems required to comply with the drinking water Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Rule. We will continue to add forms and guidance below to assist water systems with complying with the PFAS Rule requirements.

Please visit our PFAS page for mapping and additional consumer information on PFAS in the environment and how you can reduce your exposure.

On April 26, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation to reduce PFAS exposure in drinking water. The rule sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS chemicals in drinking water to protect people's health. These standards account for health information, available testing technology, treatment techniques, and costs. The rule applies to community and non-transient, non-community water systems. 

We are partnering with water systems to assess PFAS levels, inform the public about PFAS levels in tap water, and take steps to reduce PFAS levels in tap water. Our PFAS Grant program is offering one-time sampling to all public water systems that have not sampled for PFAS. Public water systems may request one-time sampling through the PFAS sampling request form for public water systems. Our Colorado PFAS drinking water mitigation guidance helps water systems determine the best path forward for mitigating PFAS

Additional information

Guidance

Data

Monitoring results collected on or after January 1, 2019 may be used to help meet initial monitoring requirements, due by April 26, 2027. As part of the PFAS Grant Program, CDPHE through its contractor collected PFAS monitoring data at some public water systems that can satisfy part of the initial monitoring requirements. Below is a table of all PFAS monitoring results from the PFAS Grant Program in CSV file format. To submit data for compliance, the public water system must download their data, review the sample results for completeness and accuracy, and submit the CSV file to the Drinking Water Portal. Please note, only monitoring results at current entry points that reflect currently used sources will be accepted for compliance for initial monitoring requirement purposes.

  1. Systems that have previously collected PFAS data from other sampling events (e.g. UCMR 5), not included in the table below, may submit the data in one of two ways:
    1. For sample results with an reporting level less than the trigger level and the lab is certified by Colorado, use our CSV file format to the Drinking Water Portal using the CSV Form and Instructions.
    2. For sample results that don't meet the above criteria (mostly UCMR 5 data) use our online form to submit an Excel file and follow the listed process with additional guidance.
  2. Systems currently collecting PFAS use our CSV file format to the Drinking Water Portal using the CSV Form and Instructions.

Recommendations

We strongly recommend that all public water systems (even those without PFAS detections) keep their customers updated on their PFAS-related activities, including all sampling results (even if PFAS aren't detected) and any potential PFAS reduction steps. We maintain a list of certified labs approved for PFAS analysis using Method 533 or Method 537.1.

When PFAS levels in drinking water exceed the EPA’s MCLs, prior to the PFAS Rule MCL compliance date, the department is following EPA’s recommendation that the water system inform the public. The information provided should include the sample results and an explanation of their significance. If you are a water system and need further assistance on this, please use the department’s consumer drinking water notice template. The department also offers a Spanish version of the consumer drinking water notice template.