PFAS in the tap water in the city of Utrecht
The tap water in the city of Utrecht meets the legal standard. For most people in Utrecht, it also contains far less PFAS than the RIVM advises. In the north of the city, the level is above the advice. Here you can read what that means and what you can do yourself.
See the figures Shop ZeroWaterHow much PFAS is in the tap water in the city of Utrecht?
Water from the Groenekan pumping station (incl. north of the city): 5.6
Water from the other pumping stations (most of the city): 0 to 1.9
- The tap water in the city of Utrecht meets the legal standard.
- For about 84% of Utrecht residents, it is below half the RIVM advice.
- For about 59,000 residents, mainly in the north of the city (including Overvecht), the water comes from the Groenekan pumping station. There, the level of 5.1 to 5.6 nanograms per litre is above the RIVM advice (about 1.2 to 1.3 times).
- The RIVM says: just keep drinking tap water.
Why does it differ within Utrecht?
All tap water in the city of Utrecht is made from groundwater. Vitens pumps it up at several pumping stations around the city, such as De Meern, Leidsche Rijn, Bunnik, Tull en ’t Waal, Beerschoten, Soestduinen and Groenekan. In the groundwater at most of these sites, Vitens finds no PFAS or only very little.
At the Groenekan pumping station, northeast of the city, Vitens does measure PFAS, mainly PFOA. Which pumping station supplies your water depends on your neighbourhood. On the Vitens website (in Dutch) you can enter your postcode to see where your water comes from. Even at its highest level, the city of Utrecht is far below cities such as Amsterdam, The Hague or Zaanstad, where drinking water comes mainly from river and surface water.
* Weighted by harmfulness (PFOA equivalents), using the calculation method of the RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment). Calculated from Vitens measurement data per pumping station (drinking water as it leaves the pumping stations, 2025 and January to June 2026). Values below the detection limit count as 0. TFA is not included in the public data and has not been counted. The result is in line with the analysis by Greenpeace Netherlands (September 2026): in it, 317,755 of the 376,760 residents of the municipality of Utrecht fall into the lowest category (0 to 2.2 ng/l) and 58,805 residents into the 4.4 to 6.6 ng/l category. Levels may vary by neighbourhood and by measurement.
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
The RIVM says: together, people in the Netherlands take in more PFAS than is good for our 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 the RIVM, even small amounts of PFAS can make your immune system work less well.
The advice is stricter than the law
The RIVM advises 4.4 nanograms per litre. The law is less strict. Below you can read the difference.
Law and advice: what's the difference?
There are two numbers you may read about. They don't measure exactly the same thing, but this is how it works:
- The law (EU, since 12 January 2026): a maximum of 100 nanograms per litre for 20 PFAS combined. Dutch tap water meets this standard.
- The RIVM advice: 4.4 nanograms per litre. Here the RIVM gives more weight to how harmful each type of PFAS is.
The advice is stricter because there is new knowledge about the effects of PFAS. The government is waiting for advice from the WHO before changing the law.
Good to know
- Tap water in the Netherlands is safe to drink, say the RIVM and the drinking water companies.
- Drinking water made from groundwater (mainly in the east and north) contains less PFAS.
- Drinking water made from river water (mainly in the west) contains more PFAS.
- Boiling does not remove PFAS from your water.
ZeroWater filters PFAS
The tap water in Utrecht scores well for the most part, so just keep drinking it. 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 Dutch 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
Choose the jug that suits your household. A filter is included, so you can filter your first jug of tap water straight away.
1.7 litresZeroWater 1.7 litre jug
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More water in one go. For families who drink a lot and want to refill less often.
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5.4 litresZeroWater 5.4 litre dispenser
With a tap. Put it in the fridge or on the counter and pour your water whenever you like.
Add to cartView product →Questions about PFAS in the city of Utrecht
Can I still drink the tap water in Utrecht?
Yes. The tap water in the city of Utrecht meets the legal standard and, for most residents, is well below the RIVM advice. The RIVM and the drinking water companies advise you to keep drinking tap water. Want to take in less PFAS? Then you can filter your water as an extra step.
How do I know which water comes out of the tap in my neighbourhood?
Enter your postcode on the Vitens website. It shows which pumping station supplies your water. For most of the city, that is water with no or very little PFAS. In the north of the city, the water often comes from the Groenekan pumping station, where the level is above the RIVM advice.
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 help you see when your filter is used up: when it shows 006, replace your filter.
Does boiling or bottled water help?
Boiling does not remove PFAS from water. According to the RIVM and the drinking water companies, bottled water is not the answer, and it creates a lot of plastic waste. A filter on your regular tap water is a simpler alternative.
How often should I replace the filter?
That depends on your tap water. The harder your water, the faster the filter fills up. Test your water with the TDS meter: when it shows 006, it's time for a new filter.
Know what you drink
Just tap water, but with less PFAS. For you and your family in Utrecht.
Shop ZeroWater Replacement filters- RIVM (Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment) – PFAS in drinking water. rivm.nl/pfas/drinkwater
- EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 (PFAS standard in force since 12 January 2026). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Vitens – measurement data per pumping station (water quality overviews, 2024 to June 2026), including Groenekan. All pumping stations (in Dutch).
- PFAS levels per municipality: analysis by Greenpeace Netherlands based on measurement data from the ten Dutch drinking water companies, September 2026. View the source and the methodology (in Dutch).
- DUIC – Where does our tap water actually come from? (pumping stations per neighbourhood). duic.nl (in Dutch)
- 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.