We are all hearing a lot about PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” in drinking water, and a recent report from USA Today uses data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to examine where PFAS are being found, in what amounts, and whether those levels will violate federal standards.

It may be hard to understand what to do with all this information, given that although EPA is has set a new regulation for several PFAS compounds, there is still a great deal we do not understand about the health impacts at typically small levels found in drinking water and EPA has already stated plans to review portions of the rule. At the same time, some states have set their own PFAS standards.

That said, it’s comforting to know that water utilities are out there looking for PFAS at levels we could not even measure a few years ago. So as health concerns become better known, we will understand more about where and how to address the issues.

It is important to note that detection of any PFAS at any level in drinking water does not necessarily indicate a safety concern. In the United States, the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) provides a common, scientific framework for determining which substances – and at what levels – are health concerns. The vast majority of water providers meet all these standards.

If you have questions about your water quality, you will likely find your water utility is eager to share what it knows. Water utilities can tell you where your water comes from, how it’s treated, and whether a home treatment device might help with taste or quality concerns. (Hint: home water filters are currently not certified to remove PFAS to the levels required by EPA regulations,) You can also ask for your water system’s annual consumer confidence report.

We will all be learning more about PFAS in the weeks, months, and probably decades ahead. One thing we can be confident in is this: If PFAS doesn’t get into our water in the first place, we don’t have to worry about it at the tap. So we should all work for policies that keep harmful PFAS compounds away from our source waters and hold polluters accountable.