New French government map shows levels of chemicals in tap water

A map indicating the level of chemicals known as PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’ in tap water in France has been published by the French government. 

It comes after an alert was raised as several communes were found to have excessive quantities of PFAS. Tap water bans were imposed in these areas.

The new map summarises 2.3 million analyses across 21,000 sites, providing information on the presence of PFAS in water sources (groundwater, surface water, tap water, and industrial water sites).

It is not possible for individuals to directly and precisely assess how the level of PFAS translates into health risks, as the toxicity of a PFAS can vary and there is still limited data or consensus available on the toxicity of certain individual substances.

Full official details around what the map represents and how to use it are available here.

However, EU regulation sets a maximum value of 0.1 micrograms per litre for the sum of 20 substances in tap water, before further monitoring and action is necessary.

Using the official data per the map, major French newspaper Le Figaro's analysis shows this EU threshold has been exceeded in 16 communes: NEUWILLER (68), BLOTZHEIM (68), SAINT-LOUIS (68), CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN (50), BARTENHEIM (68), COGNAC (16), COMMUNAY (69), LUNEL-VIEL (34), GRIGNY (69), CHASSE-SUR-RHONE (38), NARBONNE (11), BEAUCROISSANT (38), SAINT-JUST (34), FOS-SUR-MER (13), RENAGE (38) and CHAMBERY (73).

Users can zoom into their local area on the map or look for a particular location using the search bar. Clicking on a coloured icon shows the number of analyses conducted and when they took place. A link is also provided to download a spreadsheet detailing the relevant results. 

“For the first time, [people across France] will have access to accurate, up-to-date information on the results of monitoring these pollutants throughout the territory,” said Ecological Transition Minister, Agnès Pannier-Runacher, in a press release published on July 31. 

The platform, developed by the Bureau de recherches géologiques et minières (BRGM), comes after the French government launched a dedicated action plan in April 2024. This followed reports on the unsafe nature of local water supplies in several locations, including towns near Lyon and south-west France.

More recently, ‘fragile’ residents in 11 Haut-Rhin (Grand Est) communes were advised not to drink the tap water due to pollution concerns. This warning came into effect on May 5, and is expected to remain in place until at least December 31.

Read more: Map: groundwater situation worsens in France, with 39% of levels already below normal

Elevated PFAS levels have also been detected in bottled-water distributed by Perrier, Vittel, Hépar, and Contrex. 

Transparency surrounding the presence of PFAS

Studies have found that forever chemicals are potentially harmful to human health, however the long-term effects remain under researched. 

A nationwide health inquiry is currently underway, aiming to evaluate the population’s exposure to chemicals (such as pesticides, bisphenols, plasticisers, and PFAS), and better understand the link between food, drinks, the environment, and health.

In the meantime, the publication of the PFAS map represents a “major step forward for transparency, local prevention and restoring trust,” Ms Pannier-Runacher wrote on social media.

France’s monitoring of PFAS in drinking water will become widespread in accordance with the European Drinking Water Directive, from January 2026.

By the same date, the use of PFAS will also be banned in France in products including cosmetics and certain items of clothing. One of the most significant sources of PFAS comes from kitchen items including anything with non-stick qualities, such as frying pans.

“The goal is to reduce the presence of PFAS in the environment and reduce our direct exposure to these substances in our daily lives,” said Ms Pannier-Runacher. 

Read also: Tap water bans in France: contamination risk and how to check quality of your water