PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are man-made chemicals known for persistence in the environment. To protect public health, the EU Drinking Water Directive sets two legal limits for PFAS with compliance required by 12 January 2026.
PFAS Total
All PFAS combined
0.5 µg/L
Sum of PFAS (20)
Specified list of 20 PFAS
0.1 µg/L
Key Date
EU-wide compliance
12 Jan 2026
What this means for Irish households
If you’re on a public supply, the utility must meet the limits. Private wells and group schemes should consider testing and, if needed, treatment.
Public supplies
Utilities manage treatment at source. A small point-of-use filter adds peace of mind for drinking/cooking.
Private wells / GWS
Test for PFAS. If present, use granular activated carbon (GAC) and/or reverse osmosis (RO) as appropriate.
New builds & retrofits
Leave room for under-sink RO + carbon, or whole-house carbon if warranted.
Effective treatment options
- Granular Activated Carbon (GAC): Highly effective for many long-chain PFAS; media sizing and change-out are critical.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): Excellent at the kitchen tap; pairs well with carbon.
- Advanced Carbon Blocks: Engineered cartridges that control flow and contact time.
- Ion Exchange Resins: Specialist resins for targeted PFAS (often utility-scale or custom setups).
Note: Traditional water softeners do not remove PFAS. They prevent limescale and can be paired with RO/carbon for a complete solution.
PFAS limits at a glance
| Parameter | Definition | EU Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PFAS Total | Combined concentration of all measured PFAS | 0.5 µg/L |
| Sum of PFAS (20) | Sum of 20 specified PFAS | 0.1 µg/L |
PFAS – FAQs
Why are PFAS called “forever chemicals”?
They have very strong carbon-fluorine bonds, making them highly persistent in water and the wider environment.
What are the new EU limits and when?
0.5 µg/L for PFAS Total and 0.1 µg/L for Sum of 20 PFAS, with compliance required by 12 January 2026.
Do softeners remove PFAS?
No. Use RO and/or carbon for PFAS reduction; keep softeners for limescale control.
What’s the most practical home setup?
Under-sink RO + carbon for drinking/cooking, optionally paired with a softener for whole-house limescale protection. We’ll size it for you.
Concerned about PFAS? Book a quick call and we’ll advise the right RO + carbon setup for your home.
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