At least five Missouri water systems are now reporting "forever chemicals" at levels above federal safety limits, according to newly released Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data. One city measured contamination nearly three times the federal limit, raising urgent questions about drinking water safety across the state and what residents can do to protect themselves .

Which Missouri Communities Are Affected?

The 2024 EPA data reveals a troubling pattern of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, contamination across Missouri's water systems. Several communities in the St. Louis region and central Missouri exceeded federal safety thresholds .

• St. Robert: Measured PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) at 2.8 times the federal limit, the highest contamination level found in the state
• Camdenton: Detected PFOS at 2.5 times the federal limit
• St. James: Found PFOS at 1.2 times the federal limit
• Beaufort Circle C Mobile Home Park: Measured PFOS at 1.3 times the federal limit
• St. Peters: Detected PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) at 1.2 times the federal limit

Many other Missouri water systems showed PFAS levels close to the federal limit, suggesting the contamination problem extends far beyond these five communities .

What Are PFAS and Why Should You Care?

PFAS are synthetic chemicals found in hundreds of everyday household products. These substances are particularly concerning because they resist breaking down in the environment, earning them the nickname "forever chemicals." Once released, they persist in water, soil, and the human body for decades .

Health researchers have linked PFAS exposure to serious medical conditions. These include thyroid disease, increased cancer risk, decreased fertility, reduced immune function, and interference with hormonal systems. Because PFAS break down into other PFAS compounds like PFOA and PFOS as they deteriorate, contamination spreads through landfills, groundwater, and wastewater systems .

PFAS are ubiquitous in modern life. They're used in non-stick cookware, water-resistant carpeting and clothing, cosmetics, electronics, food packaging, and firefighting foams. Military bases have been particularly heavy users of PFAS-containing firefighting foam, creating significant contamination hotspots .

How Did Missouri's Water Get Contaminated?

Landfills represent a major source of PFAS contamination in Missouri. A University of Illinois study found that 80% of plastics end up in landfills, where household items like cookware, food packages, and textiles leach PFAS into the ground. The research revealed that PFAS concentrations in landfill byproducts were significantly higher than those found in wastewater .

Another troubling pathway involves sewage sludge. After wastewater treatment, the highest levels of PFAS are concentrated in biosolids, commonly called sludge. This sludge is then often reapplied as fertilizer on farmland, transferring PFAS into soil, groundwater, and nearby waterways .

A particularly striking example comes from Coldwater Creek, a tributary of the Missouri River in north St. Louis County. In 2022, Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper participated in nationwide PFAS testing and found the highest total PFAS concentration in the Midwest region came from a downstream sample of Coldwater Creek. This creek is already heavily contaminated with radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project uranium refining effort in the 1940s .

Even local beer production reflects water contamination. A study found that areas with high PFAS concentrations in their water also had higher concentrations of these chemicals in beer brewed there, demonstrating how pervasive the contamination has become .

What Are Water Systems Doing to Address This?

Cities and water districts have limited options for treating PFAS contamination, and all require costly upgrades. Certain types of carbon filters are the most popular treatment method added to water systems, as PFAS will stick to activated carbon during the filtration process .

St. Peters, which detected PFOA at 1.2 times the federal limit, illustrates the challenge. The city uses groundwater wells in the Mississippi River floodplain and does not plan to investigate the origin of its PFAS contamination. However, officials stated they are evaluating established PFAS treatment methods that could be integrated into their current water treatment process .

"Our drinking water remains safe and meets all regulatory standards. In accordance with the new federal standards, we are evaluating established PFAS treatment methods that could be integrated into our current water treatment process," said Amy Haddock, group manager of Water Environment Services for the city of St. Peters.

Amy Haddock, Group Manager of Water Environment Services, City of St. Peters

Steps to Reduce Your PFAS Exposure at Home

• Install a home water filter: Activated carbon filters can reduce PFAS in drinking and cooking water. Look for filters certified to remove PFAS, and replace them according to manufacturer instructions to maintain effectiveness
• Avoid non-stick cookware: Replace Teflon-coated pans and other non-stick cookware with stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic alternatives that don't contain PFAS coatings
• Check product labels: Reduce purchases of water-resistant clothing, carpeting, and furniture when possible, as these items often contain PFAS treatments. Choose natural fibers without water-resistant coatings
• Limit food packaging exposure: Avoid microwaving food in non-stick containers or paper takeout boxes with grease-resistant coatings, which often contain PFAS. Use glass or ceramic containers instead
• Stay informed about local water quality: Request your water utility's annual water quality report to see if PFAS testing has been conducted in your area

What's the Timeline for Federal Action?

The EPA first warned about PFAS in drinking water in 2009, but regulatory action took more than a decade. In 2023, the EPA proposed the first enforceable limits on certain PFAS in drinking water and required all public water systems of a certain size to test their supply at least once between 2023 and 2025 .

Water systems were required to test for 29 known forms of PFAS, but experts emphasize this represents only a fraction of the problem. More than 16,000 different PFAS chemical compounds are circulating in products, landfills, and water supply systems .

"The list of the uses of PFAS is jaw-dropping, and most of them are completely unessential," explained Erik Olson, senior strategic director for environmental health at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Erik Olson, Senior Strategic Director for Environmental Health, Natural Resources Defense Council

Although some PFAS forms now have federal limits, utilities have until 2031 to comply with those limits. However, the Trump administration proposed rolling back limits on four of the six proposed chemicals and delaying compliance until 2031, though these changes face legal challenges .

Chemical manufacturers and some water utility trade associations are actively challenging PFAS regulations in court. Additionally, sludge companies lobbied Congress in 2024, calling themselves "passive receivers" of PFAS-containing sludge and urging the federal government not to hold them accountable for the forever chemicals in sludge they resold as fertilizer .

"PFAS regulations are now being challenged in court by the chemical manufacturers that make PFAS, and by some water utility trade associations," noted Erik Olson.

Erik Olson, Senior Strategic Director for Environmental Health, Natural Resources Defense Council

What Should Residents Do Now?

Maxine Gill, policy coordinator at Missouri Coalition for the Environment, emphasized the importance of expanded testing and public awareness. She noted that "anywhere we're testing for PFAS, we're seeing prevalent levels of PFAS," and stressed that testing requirements are often a precursor to regulation .

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"Anywhere we're testing for PFAS, we're seeing prevalent levels of PFAS. It doesn't surprise me that we're testing above the federal guidelines at this point in much of our water systems," said Maxine Gill, policy coordinator at Missouri Coalition for the Environment.

Maxine Gill, Policy Coordinator, Missouri Coalition for the Environment

For Missouri residents, the key takeaway is that PFAS contamination is widespread and likely to increase as more testing occurs. While federal regulations remain in flux, individuals can take immediate steps to reduce exposure through home water filtration, product choices, and staying informed about local water quality. Contact your local water utility to request their latest water quality testing data and ask whether PFAS treatment upgrades are planned for your community.