How much PFAS is in tap water in Germany?
Tap water in Germany must meet the legal limit for PFAS: 100 nanograms per litre for 20 PFAS combined. From 2028, a stricter limit is added: 20 nanograms per litre for the four most studied PFAS. We're collecting the figures per federal state. Below you can read what they mean and what you can do yourself.
Find your federal stateShop ZeroWaterHow much PFAS is in your tap water?
Choose your federal state to see which figures we already have. We're collecting the figures from water suppliers and add them here as soon as we have them.
| Federal state | PFAS (ng/l)* | vs. 2028 limit | Water supplier |
|---|
* As soon as figures are known, we show them as the sum of the four PFAS in the 2028 limit (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHxS). That limit is 20 ng/l. Figures per city will follow later.
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.
A stricter limit is coming
From 2028, the limit for 4 PFAS combined will be 20 nanograms per litre. Below you can read more.
Two limits: now and from 2028
The German Drinking Water Ordinance (TrinkwV) has two PFAS limits:
- Since 12 January 2026: a maximum of 100 nanograms per litre for 20 PFAS combined.
- From 12 January 2028: also a maximum of 20 nanograms per litre for 4 PFAS combined (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA and PFHxS).
The second limit is stricter because, according to EFSA, these four PFAS matter most for your health.
Good to know
- Tap water must meet the legal PFAS limit. Your water supplier can tell you the latest results for your area.
- Some suppliers already publish both values. Berliner Wasserbetriebe, for example, lists PFAS-20 and PFAS-4 for each of its waterworks.
- PFAS levels differ per supply area, depending on the source of the drinking water.
- 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 the legal limit allows in 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
Compact and light. Fits in most fridge doors. Handy for 1 or 2 people.
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4.7 litresZeroWater 4.7 litre jug
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
Can I still drink the tap water in Germany?
Yes. Tap water in Germany must meet the legal PFAS limit and is checked regularly. If a limit is exceeded, the water supplier and the health authority must take action. Want to take in less PFOA and PFOS? Then you can filter your water as an extra step.
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. Bottled water creates a lot of plastic waste. A filter on your regular tap water is a simpler alternative.
Where does PFAS in drinking water come from?
PFAS end up in the environment through factories, firefighting foam and products. Through rivers, canals and soil, they reach the water used to make drinking water. That is why drinking water made from surface water often contains more PFAS than drinking water made from groundwater.
When will the figures for my federal state be available?
We're collecting the results from water suppliers. As soon as we have them, we add them to this page, first per federal state and later per city.
Know what you drink
Just tap water, but with less PFOA and PFOS. For you and your family at home.
Shop ZeroWaterReplacement filters- German Environment Agency (UBA) – Dealing with exceedances of PFAS-20 and PFAS-4, December 2025 (in German). umweltbundesamt.de
- Berliner Wasserbetriebe – Analysis data of the waterworks, annual medians 2025. bwb.de
- Rödl & Partner – PFAS in German drinking water: current values and future limits, December 2025 (in German). roedl.com
- 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.