{"id":85616,"date":"2026-09-24T12:51:22","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T10:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/actueel\/pfas-in-kraanwater-veilig-vandaag-zorgen-over-morgen\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T15:05:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T13:05:06","slug":"pfas-in-tap-water-safe-today-concerns-for-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kwrwater.nl\/en\/actueel\/pfas-in-tap-water-safe-today-concerns-for-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"PFAS in tap water: safe today, concerns for tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Greenpeace\u2019s large-scale PFAS campaign [Verbied giftig PFAS – Greenpeace Nederland<\/i><\/a>] became the top news story in the Netherlands yesterday. National media outlets, including NOS News and NPO Radio 1, as well as numerous regional broadcasters, reported extensively on the new online postcode map. As millions of Dutch people discover which \u201ccolour code\u201d applies to their tap water, attention is also turning to policymakers, drinking water companies, and the scientific community.<\/p>\n

Vewin, the umbrella organisation representing Dutch drinking water companies, immediately issued a clear statement on drinking water quality. Behind the scenes, KWR Water Research Institute has been conducting research for years into practical solutions to the problem. But what does the news about water quality actually mean for consumers, and what solutions are available to improve water quality?<\/p>\n

Vewin: \u201cThe water is safe, but we are mopping up with the tap still running\u201d<\/h2>\n

The Association of Dutch Drinking Water Companies (Vewin) responded immediately to Greenpeace\u2019s report. It emphasised that Dutch tap water meets the applicable European legal standards everywhere and is completely safe to drink. This is also confirmed by both the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and Greenpeace. Although PFAS concentrations in drinking water exceed the RIVM\u2019s health-based guideline value in some locations (the concentration we would ideally like to achieve), this does not mean that tap water is unhealthy. Unfortunately, PFAS is found everywhere, and there is no guarantee that other beverages are free of PFAS either. Moreover, the amount of PFAS we ingest through food is approximately four times greater. Bottled water has other disadvantages, including a high environmental impact and often the presence of microplastics. There is therefore no reason to stop drinking tap water.At the same time, however, Vewin is sounding the alarm about the future. Because of their properties, PFAS compounds are extremely difficult to remove from water. Drinking water companies are currently investing millions of euros in the development and implementation of costly treatment technologies to remove PFAS. Meanwhile, PFAS discharges continue\u2014and are even increasing. This is not only due to the well-known chemical industry, but also to PFAS that enter the environment through wastewater after being used by consumers, as well as the use of PFAS-containing pesticides in agriculture. This makes it increasingly difficult for drinking water companies to meet the guideline value. The sector is therefore calling for a rapid and comprehensive European ban on the production and use of PFAS. Its position is unequivocal: \u201cWhat doesn\u2019t go in doesn\u2019t have to be taken out.\u201d<\/p>\n

KWR: The scientific facts behind water treatment<\/h2>\n

While Greenpeace is driving the public debate, KWR provides independent scientific data. Greenpeace\u2019s PFAS map is based on publicly available measurement data that have, among other things, been validated using KWR methodologies. KWR\u2019s work regularly receives attention in the media:<\/p>\n