Overview
- In BUND’s nationwide sampling, PFAS were detected in 42 of 46 drinking‑water samples and in 54 of 62 total water samples, with 14 cases exceeding future thresholds.
- Upcoming German rules set a PFAS‑20 sum limit of 0.1 µg/L from January 1, 2026 and a PFAS‑4 limit of 20 ng/L from 2028, creating near‑term compliance tests for suppliers.
- Exceedances were reported in Zeuthen and in Ludwigslust and Güstrow, while Berlin measurements included one groundwater sample at 151 ng/L PFAS‑20 and two PFAS‑4 readings above the 2028 limit.
- A Berlin government‑quarter tap sample measured 12 ng/L PFAS‑4, which is below the 2028 drinking‑water limit but above the stricter environmental quality norm of 4.4 ng/L.
- Local responses range from network flushing that returned Sinzheim’s PFOA from 0.059 µg/L to below 0.001 µg/L to filtration investments at Berlin’s Tegel hotspot, as NGOs press to charge identified polluters for cleanup.