PFAS in tap water in Brussels
Tap water in Brussels meets the law and also stays below the stricter target of 4 nanograms per litre. Here you can see the figures per reservoir, what they mean and what you can do yourself.
See the figuresShop ZeroWaterHow much PFAS is in tap water in Brussels?
Vivaqua supplies drinking water to all 19 Brussels municipalities. It tests the water from its reservoirs every month for PFAS. These are the results for August 2025 – July 2026.
- Meets the law: 20 PFAS combined reach at most 14.4 ng/l. The limit is 100 ng/l.
- Below the target: the 4 PFAS reach at most 3.3 ng/l. The target is 4 ng/l, to be reached by 2028 at the latest.
- TFA: about 1,000–1,800 ng/l. That is below the Brussels guide value of 2,200 ng/l.
| Reservoir | 4 PFAS (ng/l) | 20 PFAS (ng/l) |
|---|---|---|
| CalloisBerchem-Sainte-Agathe, Ganshoren, parts of Uccle, Forest, Anderlecht and Jette | 1.4 to 3.1 | 9.5 to 14.4 |
| Uccleparts of Uccle | 1.3 to 3.3 | 8.9 to 13.5 |
| RhodeEtterbeek, Ixelles, Auderghem, Watermael-Boitsfort, Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, Evere, Haren, Neder-Over-Heembeek | < 1 to 1.3 | 3.9 to 9.4 |
| BoitsfortSaint-Josse, Laeken, Schaerbeek, Molenbeek, Koekelberg, Jette, parts of Anderlecht | < 1 | < 1 to 4.8 |
| Ixellescity centre (1000), Saint-Gilles | < 1 | < 1 to 5.0 |
Why the figures differ within Brussels
About 97% of Brussels tap water comes from Wallonia. Around 70% of Vivaqua's water is groundwater and 29% comes from the river Meuse (plant at Tailfer). This water is mixed in the reservoirs. That is why the figures differ per reservoir: Callois and Uccle measure 1.3 to 3.3 ng/l, while Rhode, Boitsfort and Ixelles are usually below the measuring limit of 1 ng/l.
Unit: nanograms per litre (ng/l). Figures: Vivaqua test reports per reservoir, monthly, August 2025 – July 2026 (consulted 24 September 2026). “< 1” means below the measuring limit. Which reservoir supplies your street can vary; check your address at Vivaqua.
What is PFAS?
PFAS is a large group of man-made substances. They are found in many things you use every day.
- Non-stick pans
- Rain jackets and outdoor clothing
- Food packaging
- Cosmetics and firefighting foam
Why is it called a ‘forever chemical’?
- PFAS hardly break down in nature.
- They enter rivers and groundwater through factories and products.
- That water is also used to make drinking water.
- They stay in your body for a long time.
Why PFAS deserves attention
EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, says: part of the European population takes in more PFAS than is good for their health. This comes mainly from food, but also from drinking water.
It builds up
Your body clears PFAS only slowly. Small amounts add up over the years.
Effect on your immune system
According to EFSA, even small amounts of PFAS can make your immune system work less well.
The target is stricter than the law
Brussels aims for 4 nanograms per litre for four PFAS by 2028 at the latest. The law is less strict. Below you can read the difference.
Law and target: what's the difference?
There are several numbers you may read about. They don't measure the same thing, but this is how it works in Brussels:
- The law: a maximum of 100 nanograms per litre for 20 PFAS combined. Brussels has applied it since 2024, the whole EU since 12 January 2026.
- The target: 4 nanograms per litre for four PFAS combined (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHxS), to be reached by 2028 at the latest. It is based on advice from EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority.
- Also new: since the end of 2025, Brussels also has a limit for ‘total PFAS’ (500 ng/l) and a guide value for TFA (2,200 ng/l).
The target is stricter because it looks at the four PFAS that have been studied most and that EFSA considers most important for your health.
Good to know
- Vivaqua says tap water in Brussels is safe to drink.
- Vivaqua tests the water every month and publishes the results per address.
- Drinking water made from groundwater usually contains less PFAS than water from rivers.
- Boiling does not remove PFAS from your water.
ZeroWater filters PFAS
Just keep drinking tap water. Want to take in less PFAS through your water? Then a certified filter is a simple extra step.
less PFAS in your water
This percentage applies to PFOA and PFOS, the two best-known and most studied PFAS. The ZeroWater 5-stage filter has been tested for these to the NSF/ANSI 53 standard and certified by the independent institute IAPMO. View the certificate.
Tested, certified
Not a promise, but an independently tested result. Tested with far more PFOA and PFOS than is found in Belgian tap water.
More than just PFAS
The filter is also certified for lead, chromium-6, mercury and chlorine. That makes your water taste purer too.
See it for yourself 000 PPM
Every jug comes with a TDS meter. It shows how pure your water is. Does it show 006? Then it's time for a new filter.
Start filtering right away
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Add to cartView product →Questions about PFAS in Brussels
Can I still drink the tap water in Brussels?
Yes. The water meets the law and stays below the target of 4 ng/l. Vivaqua says there is no reason to stop drinking tap water. Want to take in less PFOA and PFOS anyway? Then you can filter your water as a simple extra step.
How do I find the figures for my street?
Go to the Vivaqua water quality tool. Choose your municipality, street and house number. In the PDF report you will find the PFAS figures on page 3.
I read that Brussels was above 4 ng/l. Is that right?
That was about older figures. Between 2021 and 2023, the Rhode reservoir measured an average of 6.9 ng/l for the four PFAS. The recent figures (August 2025 – July 2026) are much lower: at most 3.3 ng/l in all reservoirs.
What is TFA and is it in Brussels water?
TFA is a very small PFAS. It is found in drinking water all over Europe. In Brussels, Vivaqua measures about 1,000–1,800 ng/l. That is below the Brussels guide value of 2,200 ng/l. ZeroWater has no certificate for TFA, so we make no promises about it.
Does ZeroWater filter all PFAS?
The honest answer: ZeroWater is certified for PFOA and PFOS, the two best-known PFAS. There are thousands of types of PFAS. We have no certificate for the other types, so we don't make any promises about them.
Does the TDS meter show how much PFAS is in my water?
No. The meter measures dissolved solids such as limescale and metals. PFAS are present in such tiny amounts that a TDS meter can't measure them. The meter does show when your filter is used up: when it shows 006, replace your filter.
Know what you drink
Just tap water, but with less PFOA and PFOS. For you and your family at home.
Shop ZeroWaterReplacement filtersSources
- Vivaqua – water quality test reports per reservoir (Rhode, Boitsfort, Callois, Ixelles, Uccle), August 2025 – July 2026. vivaqua.be
- Example: Vivaqua test report, Callois reservoir, July 2026 (in French). PDF
- Vivaqua – FAQs on PFAS. vivaqua.be
- Vivaqua – Drinking water production. vivaqua.be
- Brussels Environment – PFAS in water and soil in the Brussels-Capital Region (in Dutch). leefmilieu.brussels
- BX1 – PFAS concentrations in Brussels, November 2023 (in French). bx1.be
- RTBF – TFA in Brussels tap water, October 2024 (in French). rtbf.be
- EFSA – PFAS in food: EFSA assesses risks and sets tolerable intake (2020). efsa.europa.eu
- EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184. eur-lex.europa.eu
- ZeroWater Performance Data Sheet, IAPMO certification to NSF/ANSI 53 and 42. View PDF
ZeroWater is certified for the reduction of PFOA and PFOS. Results were achieved under laboratory conditions; actual results may vary.
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