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PFAS

PFBA in Connecticut Drinking Water

By Alexander Snyder, Founder & Water Quality Data Lead

PFBA has been detected in 7 Connecticut ZIP codes. Here is what you need to know about pfba in your drinking water and how it may affect your household.

What Is PFBA?

PFBA (perfluorobutanoic acid) is a four-carbon short-chain PFAS compound used as a replacement for longer-chain PFAS in industrial applications. It enters water through manufacturing discharge, landfill leachate, and biosolids application. No EPA maximum contaminant level has been established. Although less bioaccumulative than longer-chain PFAS, it is highly mobile in water and associated with thyroid effects, kidney changes, and developmental concerns.

Is PFBA in Your Water?

Enter your Connecticut ZIP code to find out if pfba is in your local water — and see personalized health risks for your household.

Check Your ZIP Code

Health Effects of PFBA

Part of the PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) family of 'forever chemicals.' Linked to cancer, immune system harm, hormone disruption, and developmental effects. Does not break down in the environment or the human body.

Where Does PFBA Come From?

Industrial discharge, firefighting foam (AFFF), consumer products, landfill leachate, wastewater treatment plants.

How to Reduce PFBA in Your Water

  1. 1Install a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58, which is the most reliable point-of-use method for removing ultra-short-chain PFAS like PFBA.
  2. 2Use a high-quality activated carbon filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53; note that PFBA is among the hardest PFAS for carbon to capture, requiring frequent media replacement.
  3. 3Consider a specialized ion exchange resin system engineered for short-chain PFAS, as conventional resins may have limited effectiveness for four-carbon compounds.
  4. 4Test water using EPA Method 533 to detect PFBA, and monitor treatment performance closely as short-chain PFAS break through filters faster than longer-chain variants.

Who Is Most Vulnerable to PFBA?

The safe level of pfba varies significantly depending on who is drinking the water. CheckYourTap calculates adjusted safe levels for each member of your household:

Infants (under 1 year)
Toddlers (1-3 years)
Children (4-11 years)
Pregnant women
Elderly (65+)
Adults
Dogs
Cats

A contaminant level that is safe for an adult may exceed guidelines for an infant by 4-8x or more. Check your ZIP code to see personalized results.

Reading this inside ChatGPT or Claude?

This page can tell you the general science, but not what is actually in your water’s pfba level — that depends on your exact address. You can get your specific answer two ways:

  • Inside the chat: ask your assistant to “check my tap water with CheckYourTap”. Our connector returns your ZIP code’s measured contaminant levels — including the derived dog and cat safe levels — and, only if you ask it to, can email you the report or arrange a specialist callback.
  • On the web: open CheckYourTap.com and enter your ZIP code for a free 30-second report.

Concerned about PFBA in your water?

Schedule to get your water tested for pfba and more — a Valiant water specialist will review your results and arrange testing for your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PFBA in my tap water?▾
PFBA has been detected in 7 Connecticut ZIP codes. Whether it's in your specific water depends on your local water system. Enter your CT ZIP code at CheckYourTap.com for a free, instant report.
What level of PFBA is safe?▾
The safe level depends on who is drinking the water. Health guidelines vary by source, but infants, pregnant women, and pets may need much lower levels. CheckYourTap calculates adjusted safe levels for 11 different household member types.
How do I remove PFBA from my water?▾
Install a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58, which is the most reliable point-of-use method for removing ultra-short-chain PFAS like PFBA. Use a high-quality activated carbon filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53; note that PFBA is among the hardest PFAS for carbon to capture, requiring frequent media replacement. For a personalized consultation, contact Valiant Energy Solutions at (475) 557-5107.

Related Contaminants

PFHxSPFOAPFNAPFOSPFHpA

Check Water Quality by ZIP Code

Hartford 06103New Haven 06510Bridgeport 06604Stamford 06901Waterbury 06702Norwalk 06850Danbury 06810Manchester 06040View all cities →
View all contaminants in Connecticut water

Sources

The legal limits and health guidelines for PFBA on this page come from the following public authorities:

About This Report

This water quality report is compiled from public records filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state health departments, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Contaminant levels are evaluated against EPA federal standards and health-based guidelines from leading environmental and public health organizations. CheckYourTap is a service of Valiant Energy Solutions, a Connecticut water quality and energy services company established in 1930.

EPA SDWISUSGS NWISEWG Tap Water DatabaseCA OEHHA Public Health GoalsWHO Drinking Water Guidelines

This report is general information, not medical advice or a substitute for certified laboratory testing. Talk to your pediatrician or physician about specific health concerns.

Reviewed by the CheckYourTap editorial team. Last updated July 2026