PFAS pollution in European waters

This briefing provides a first overview of PFAS pollution in water based on monitoring data reported to EEA’s Waterbase. PFOS levels are compared with regulatory threshold values, providing an initial understanding of risks in European waters. 

Key messages

• Monitoring data indicate that perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is widespread throughout European waters, often exceeding regulatory threshold levels set to avoid potential risk to human health and the environment.
• From 2018 to 2022, 51-60% of rivers, 11-35% of lakes and 47-100% of transitional and coastal waters exceeded the annual average environmental quality standards (EQS) for PFOS.
• Monitoring activities need to be expanded to provide more information on a greater range of PFAS across a wider geographical area; more sensitive analytical methods are also required.
• The widespread presence of PFOS and potentially many other PFAS in Europe’s water is a clear challenge to the EU’s zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment. It also compromises the EU policy target of achieving good chemical status for Europe’s water bodies by 2027 at the latest, as laid out in EU policy.