PFAS Water Filter UK: What Actually Removes Forever Chemicals

Is there PFAS in UK tap water?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often called "forever chemicals") are detected at low levels in some UK water sources. There is no legal PFAS limit for drinking water in England and Wales yet. Instead, the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) uses precautionary guidance, updated in March 2025, with a guideline of 0.1 micrograms per litre for the sum of 48 named PFAS. Water companies must monitor, assess risk and add treatment or remove a source from supply if needed (DWI).

Monitoring is extensive. In 2025 the industry ran more than 666,000 PFAS analyses across England and Wales; in Wales, none of 30,000 tests reached 0.1 micrograms per litre (DWI annual report). The government's PFAS Plan, published in February 2026, commits to consulting on a statutory PFAS limit for drinking water (GOV.UK). EFSA lists drinking water as one of several dietary sources of PFAS, alongside fish, fruit and eggs (EFSA).

So for most UK homes a PFAS filter is a personal choice to lower exposure further, not a response to a known exceedance. For background, see what PFAS are.

Our picks at a glance

How we chose

A credible PFAS filter should be certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 with PFOA and PFOS listed for the exact model. NSF says a PFAS claim requires reduction to below 20 parts per trillion (NSF). The older NSF protocol P473 covered the same two PFAS and has been folded into these standards. Certification can be issued by NSF, IAPMO R&T or WQA. We then looked for independent studies covering a wider range of PFAS, because certification only tests PFOA and PFOS while the DWI monitors 48.

Which filter types remove PFAS?

The most useful real-world study is the 2020 Duke University and NC State work, which tested 89 filters in homes. Under-sink reverse osmosis and two-stage filters removed nearly all of the PFAS tested. Other activated carbon filters (jugs, tap-mount, fridge) were inconsistent, removing roughly 60 to 70% of long-chain PFAS and about 40% of short-chain PFAS. In four of eight whole-house carbon systems, PFAS levels went up (Herkert et al. 2020).

A 2024 lab and home study of five jug filters against 75 PFAS found big differences between brands: ZeroWater removed about 99 to 100% of total PFAS, while Brita Elite removed 20 to 48% depending on the water (Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry).

Does BRITA remove PFAS?

Partly, and it depends on the cartridge. BRITA's UK page says MAXTRA PRO is "independently tested to reduce PFAS" such as PFOS and PFOA, using JWPAS and NSF/ANSI 53 test methods, but gives no percentages and the cartridge is not certified (BRITA). Belgian consumer group Test-Achats tested a Marella jug with MAXTRA+/MAXTRA PRO and found it removed up to 96% of some PFAS, all four PFAS that EFSA regulates, and 88% of TFA (a very short-chain PFAS) (Test-Achats). However, in the 2024 Canadian study a different BRITA cartridge (Elite) removed far less (Frontiers). Our view: BRITA MAXTRA PRO likely reduces PFAS meaningfully, but if PFAS is your main concern, choose a product certified for PFOA/PFOS.

Our picks in detail

ZeroWater 5-Stage Water Filter Jug: best value PFAS filter

IAPMO R&T certifies the cartridge to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA, PFOS, lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium (TapWaterData), and it topped the 2024 jug study for total PFAS. Caveat: in hard water the resin is used up quickly, and the study saw it release dissolved solids once spent in one water type, so change it when the meter says so.

Waterdrop G3P600 Reverse Osmosis System: best under-sink PFAS filter

IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS and 58 for lead and TDS (TapWaterData), with a 2:1 pure-to-drain ratio. Caveat: needs a plumber, a socket and a drain, and removes minerals.

AquaTru Under Sink Reverse Osmosis System: most certified claims

IAPMO-listed under NSF/ANSI 53 (PFOA, PFOS), 58 and 401 (TapWaterData). Caveat: about 3:1 tap-to-filtered water, and a 10 grains per gallon hardness limit.

AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse Osmosis: best no-plumbing PFAS filter

IAPMO-listed under NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58 and 401 (TapWaterData). Caveat: £475 and sold out on AquaTru UK when we checked.

BRITA Marella Jug with MAXTRA PRO: budget partial option

At £29.99 it is the cheapest jug with independent consumer-test data showing substantial PFAS reduction (Test-Achats). Caveat: not certified, and results vary by BRITA cartridge.

ZeroWater 1.7L Jug with TDS Meter: small-household option

Same certified cartridge family in a fridge-door size. Caveat: small capacity.

Claryum 2-Stage Under Sink Water Filter: certified non-RO, US import

WQA-certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS and lead, keeping minerals and wasting no water (TapWaterData). Caveat: no UK retailer we could verify.

How often should you change a PFAS filter?

Follow the maker's schedule, and shorten it if your water is hard or you use a lot. PFAS removal is not constant over a cartridge's life: as carbon or resin fills up, short-chain PFAS tend to break through first. The Duke study warned that poorly maintained filters can make PFAS levels worse (Herkert et al. 2020), and the 2024 jug study saw a spent ZeroWater cartridge release dissolved solids in one water type (Frontiers). France's food safety agency also advises keeping jugs in the fridge, drinking filtered water within about 24 hours and replacing cartridges on time (ANSES). For RO, change pre-filters on schedule to protect the membrane.

What the evidence says

• Certification covers PFOA and PFOS only. Independent studies suggest RO and good two-stage filters also cut many other PFAS, but short-chain PFAS are harder for carbon (Herkert et al. 2020).
• No filter is a reason to ignore your supplier's notices. The DWI requires water companies to tell customers about any risk and provide alternative water (DWI).
• Food is a major PFAS source too (EFSA), so a filter lowers one route of exposure, not all.

What to avoid

• "Removes PFAS" claims without NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 listing PFOA and PFOS for the exact model.
• Whole-house carbon systems for PFAS at the drinking tap.
• Overdue cartridges, which can release trapped PFAS.
• Boiling water to "remove" PFAS.

Bottom line

For most UK homes, PFAS levels in tap water are below the DWI guideline, so a filter is an optional extra layer. If you want one, a certified ion-exchange jug such as ZeroWater is the cheapest credible option, and an NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system such as the Waterdrop G3P600 or AquaTru is the most thorough. BRITA MAXTRA PRO reduces some PFAS but is not certified. See our under-sink guide and reverse osmosis guide.