PFAS in Berlin's tap water: 18 ng/L, 36x our 0.5 ng/L benchmark
PFAS figure: annual value · Source: Berliner Wasserbetriebe
PFAS in drinking water
36× above our health benchmark
0.5 ng/L is our benchmark, not an official limit. Same EFSA method as Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, but stricter. It's a yearly average, compared here with the latest check.
The PFAS figures come from the sampling point "Wasserwerk Tegel", the one with the highest PFAS-4 value among the 9 waterworks or sampling points serving Berlin. The others are in the table of all values; the tap often carries a blend of several works.
More about this result
The US also limits PFOA and PFOS to 4 ng/L each, per substance.
Substances below the detection limit count as 0, so the real total may be higher.
One of these four, PFOA, is classified as causing cancer in humans by the WHO's cancer research agency (IARC).
More PFAS than in 96% of the cities we track
checked on 31 December 2025
29 PFAS (see each substance)
| PFAS substance | Value |
|---|---|
| PFOS | 0.0095 µg/L |
| PFBS | 0.0052 µg/L |
| PFHxS | 0.0043 µg/L |
| PFHxA | 0.0034 µg/L |
| PFOA | 0.0034 µg/L |
| PFBA | 0.0033 µg/L |
| PFPeA | 0.0026 µg/L |
| PFHpA | 0.0018 µg/L |
| 4:2 FTS | <0,002 µg/L |
| 6:2 FTS | <0,001 µg/L |
| 8:2 FTS | <0,003 µg/L |
| DONA | <0,0015 µg/L |
| FBSA | <0,003 µg/L |
| FOSA | <0,001 µg/L |
| HFPO-DA | <0,0015 µg/L |
| N-EtFOSAA | <0,001 µg/L |
| N-MeFOSAA | <0,001 µg/L |
| PFDA | <0,002 µg/L |
| PFDoDA | <0,0015 µg/L |
| PFDoDS | <0,001 µg/L |
| PFDS | <0,0015 µg/L |
| PFHpS | <0,001 µg/L |
| PFNA | <0,0015 µg/L |
| PFNS | <0,001 µg/L |
| PFPeS | <0,001 µg/L |
| PFTrDA | <0,003 µg/L |
| PFTrDS | <0,001 µg/L |
| PFUnDA | <0,0015 µg/L |
| PFUnDS | <0,0015 µg/L |
Above our health benchmark. Here are some filter options.
- Legal limit (Germany and EU)
- 34 ng/L sum of 20 PFAS, below the 100 ng/L limit
- Reporting year
- 2025 utility's annual figure
- Water supplier
- Berliner Wasserbetriebe
In Berlin, the 4 most closely watched PFAS (PFAS-4) add up to 18 ng/L (0.018 µg/L) at the utility's annual figure on 31 December 2025. That's 36 times our 0.5 ng/L health benchmark, and above Sweden's legal limit of 4 ng/L. Sum of 20 PFAS: 34 ng/L (0.034 µg/L), below the EU legal limit (100 ng/L). Source: Berliner Wasserbetriebe – Analysendaten der Wasserwerke, Jahresmedianwerte 2025.
Details and sources
What the latest check found
The authorities have not published an overall verdict for this water.
See all 37 test results
| What was tested | Value | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Beelitzhof | 0.0049 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | above the health reference (4 ng/L) |
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Friedrichshagen | 0.0019 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | within the limit |
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Kaulsdorf | <0,004 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | within the limit |
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Kladow | 0.0076 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | above the health reference (4 ng/L) |
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Spandau | 0.0012 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | within the limit |
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Stolpe | 0.0013 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | within the limit |
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Tiefwerder | 0.0076 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | above the health reference (4 ng/L) |
| PFAS-4 (PFOA + PFOS + PFNA + PFHxS) · sampling point Wasserwerk Wuhlheide | 0.0041 µg/L | ≤ 0.004 µg/L | above the health reference (4 ng/L) |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Beelitzhof | 0.0099 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Friedrichshagen | 0.0039 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Kaulsdorf | 0.0019 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Kladow | 0.016 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Spandau | 0.0035 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Stolpe | 0.0032 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Tiefwerder | 0.016 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Sum of 20 PFAS · sampling point Wasserwerk Wuhlheide | 0.014 µg/L | ≤ 0.1 µg/L | within the limit |
| Nitrate | 4.38 mg/l | ≤ 50 mg/l | within the limit |
| Nitrite | <0,03 mg/l | ≤ 0.1 mg/l | within the limit |
| Lead | <0,00050 mg/l | ≤ 0.01 mg/l | within the limit |
| Copper | <0,0050 mg/l | ≤ 2 mg/l | within the limit |
| Nickel | <0,0030 mg/l | ≤ 0.02 mg/l | within the limit |
| Arsenic | 0.002 mg/l | ≤ 0.01 mg/l | within the limit |
| Cadmium | <0,00050 mg/l | ≤ 0.003 mg/l | within the limit |
| Chromium | <0,00050 mg/l | ≤ 0.025 mg/l | within the limit |
| Uranium | 0.0004 mg/l | ≤ 0.01 mg/l | within the limit |
| Fluoride | 0.29 mg/l | ≤ 1.5 mg/l | within the limit |
| Escherichia coli | 0 MPN/100ml | ≤ 0 MPN/100ml | within the limit |
| Enterococci | 0 /100ml | ≤ 0 /100ml | within the limit |
| Coliform bacteria | 0 MPN/100ml | ≤ 0 MPN/100ml | within the limit |
| pH | 7.5 | 6.5–9.5 | within the limit |
| Water hardness | 23.3 °dH | no limit | for reference |
| Electrical conductivity | 1,040 μS/cm | ≤ 2,790 μS/cm | within the limit |
| Chloride | 91 mg/l | ≤ 250 mg/l | within the limit |
| Sulphate | 175 mg/l | ≤ 250 mg/l | within the limit |
| Sodium | 66 mg/l | ≤ 200 mg/l | within the limit |
| Iron | <0,030 mg/l | ≤ 0.2 mg/l | within the limit |
| Turbidity | <0,2 NTU | ≤ 1 NTU | within the limit |
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water in Berlin safe to drink?
All the values shown here (31 December 2025) are within the legal limits, but the authorities have not published an overall verdict for this water.
How high are PFAS levels in Berlin's drinking water?
The total of 20 PFAS ("forever chemicals") was last measured at 34 ng/L. The EU limit is 100 ng/L, so this water is at 34 % of the limit. (below the EU limit)
Does the water in Berlin also meet the strictest limits in Europe?
No. The four most harmful PFAS add up to 18 ng/L. That is 4.5 times Sweden's legal limit of 4 ng/L, in force since 2026. Germany will set a similar one in 2028. The water still passes the current EU legal limit (100 ng/L for the total of 20 PFAS).
Which PFAS limits apply in Germany?
Germany's Trinkwasserverordnung of 2023 adopts the EU limit of 100 ng/L for the sum of 20 PFAS, binding since 12 January 2026. For the four most harmful PFAS (PFAS-4) a limit of 20 ng/L applies from 12 January 2028. This site's 0.5 ng/L benchmark and the 4 ng/L used as the health reference (Sweden's limit) are stricter than both.
How hard is the water in Berlin?
The water hardness in Berlin is 23.3 °dH (hard). This mainly matters for household appliances and detergent dosing, not for health.
Where does this data come from?
All values come from official publications: Berliner Wasserbetriebe – Analysendaten der Wasserwerke, Jahresmedianwerte 2025. Retrieved on 28 September 2026.
Nearby cities
The closest to Berlin on this site.
Data source
- Berliner Wasserbetriebe – Analysendaten der Wasserwerke, Jahresmedianwerte 2025
- https://www.bwb.de/de/analysedaten-nach-postleitzahlen.php
- License
- Urheberrechtlich geschützte Veröffentlichung der Berliner Wasserbetriebe; Sachdaten mit Quellenangabe wiedergegeben (keine offene Lizenz angegeben)
- Retrieved
- 28 September 2026
- Supply networks
- Wasserwerk Beelitzhof, Wasserwerk Friedrichshagen, Wasserwerk Kaulsdorf, Wasserwerk Kladow, Wasserwerk Spandau, Wasserwerk Stolpe, Wasserwerk Tegel, Wasserwerk Tiefwerder, Wasserwerk Wuhlheide
Berliner Wasserbetriebe: Analysis data of the waterworks, annual medians per works (PDF). Latest value dated 31 December 2025. The next annual medians are expected in the spring of the following year.
Limits in Germany. Germany's Trinkwasserverordnung of 2023 adopts the EU limit of 100 ng/L for the sum of 20 PFAS, binding since 12 January 2026. For the four most harmful PFAS (PFAS-4) a limit of 20 ng/L applies from 12 January 2028. This site's 0.5 ng/L benchmark and the 4 ng/L used as the health reference (Sweden's limit) are stricter than both.
Jahresmedianwerte 2025 je Wasserwerk aus den Analysendaten der Berliner Wasserbetriebe (PDF), Angaben in mg/l in µg/L umgerechnet. Der Median ist der mittlere Wert aller Messungen des Jahres. „-/-“ bedeutet, dass alle Einzelstoffe unter der Bestimmungsgrenze lagen; die Seite zeigt dann eine Obergrenze aus den Bestimmungsgrenzen. Die Berliner Wasserwerke arbeiten im Verbund, aus dem Hahn kommt meist Mischwasser mehrerer Werke. Für Berlin liegen 9 Werke bzw. Messstellen vor (Wasserwerk Beelitzhof, Wasserwerk Friedrichshagen, Wasserwerk Kaulsdorf, Wasserwerk Kladow, Wasserwerk Spandau, Wasserwerk Stolpe, Wasserwerk Tegel, Wasserwerk Tiefwerder, Wasserwerk Wuhlheide). Die PFAS-Kennzahl der Seite stammt aus „Wasserwerk Tegel“, der Messstelle mit dem höchsten PFAS-4-Wert; die übrigen stehen in der Tabelle. Nächste Aktualisierung: Jahresmedianwerte 2026, voraussichtlich im Frühjahr 2027
Water report for Berlin
Get new PFAS results for Berlin, with a short explanation. At most one update a week, only when there's something new.
This site is a data project, not an official source. If in doubt, check with your water supplier or local authority.