BUND Detects Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water

November 4, 2025, 1:48 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

A year after an initial analysis, the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) has once again tested drinking and mineral water for so-called forever chemicals. The results are alarming: A majority of the samples tested positive for PFAS—substances that are difficult to break down and are increasingly raising health concerns. Even future limits are already being exceeded.

PFAS Detected in Nearly All Drinking Water Samples

For the current investigation, BUND activists collected a total of 46 drinking water samples from private households across Germany. These were tested in an accredited lab for 58 different per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). At least one PFAS compound was detected in 42 of the 46 samples. Three out of five analyzed mineral waters were also affected.

Note: According to BUND, the analysis does not represent a comprehensive assessment. It only reflects specific results at certain times and depends on the respective water network.

Unregulated PFAS Discovered

The samples primarily revealed high concentrations of unregulated PFAS. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), and perfluoropropionic acid (PFPrA) were the most common. These substances are often used as substitutes for already restricted PFAS. According to BUND, perfluoropropionic acid is particularly concerning as it remains completely off the authorities’ radar and is not included in future monitoring programs.

Future Limits Already Exceeded

New limits for a total of 20 PFAS substances are set to take effect in January 2026 and 2028. However, it is already evident that these limits are being exceeded in several regions. Affected areas include Zeuthen (Brandenburg), Ludwigslust, and Güstrow (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). The elevated concentrations of PFOA found there suggest, according to BUND, legacy contamination—particularly from the past use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams.

Mineral Water Also Contains PFAS

In April 2024, BUND also reanalyzed mineral water. Three brands showed PFAS residues:

Spreequell, PET single-use, Brandenburg: 200 nanograms of trifluoroacetic acid per liter
Gerolsteiner Naturell, PET single-use, Rhineland-Palatinate: 92 nanograms of trifluoroacetic acid per liter
Hassia Still, PET reusable, Hesse: 53 nanograms of trifluoroacetic acid per liter

In contrast, no PFAS residues were found in:

Naturell Mierbachquelle Quellbrunn (Aldi), PET single-use, Hesse
Saskia Medium Wörth am Rhein (Lidl), PET single-use, Rhineland-Palatinate

Health Risks from Daily Intake

Despite compliance with current limits in many samples, BUND points to the already high overall PFAS burden on the population. These chemicals enter the body not only through drinking water but also through food and consumer goods.

As early as 2021, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) found that some population groups already consume PFAS amounts above the health-critical level daily. According to BfR, health impairments—such as to the immune system—cannot be ruled out. While the burden from water is low compared to animal products like fish or meat, the new data show how widespread forever chemicals have become, even in drinking water.

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Consumers Often Bear the Costs of Treatment

The increasing contamination also has economic consequences. Treating drinking water is becoming more complex—and therefore more expensive—for suppliers. These costs are often passed on to households.

Manufacturers of PFAS-contaminated products, however, have so far contributed little to the funding. These chemicals are extremely persistent and mobile: Once in the environment, they are difficult and costly to remove. While purifying drinking water is still possible, it is often not feasible for contaminated soils or food.

How to Avoid PFAS in Everyday Life

Consumers can at least partially avoid forever chemicals in drinking water. BUND recommends:

Look for product labels like “PFAS-free,” “PFC-free,” or “fluorocarbon-free”–all mean the same thing.
Ensure household appliances like refrigerators or heat pumps do not contain fluorinated gases (“F-gases”).
Use the free app ToxFox to identify harmful substances like melamine in everyday products.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.