PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) Testing

The detection of PFAS and associated emerging contaminates in a variety of matrices is a new and rapidly evolving field. Information on this page in subject to change without notice.

 

 

 

DNR PFAS Community Grants Sampling Program

 

WSLH is providing PFAS testing for the DNR PFAS Community Grants Sampling Program. For information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the DNR’s website: PFAS Community Grants Sampling Program.

For testing Private well water submitted under the Community Grant Program:

Other Matrices

For testing of all other matrices under the Community Grants Sampling Program, including effluent, influent, biosolids, and landfill leachate, please refer to the tests and pricing listed below.

 

Wisconsin PFAS Private Well Testing Program (WisPPWT) for Homeowners

 

The Wisconsin PFAS Private Well Testing (WisPPWT) program provides PFAS sampling assistance to private well owners and users who are not able to sample their well through the Community Grants Sampling Program.

The DNR will provide eligible private well owners and users with a home sampling kit at no cost to the applicant. The private well owner or user will collect a water sample from their faucet and ship it to a lab for analysis. Once the lab analyzes the water sample, the DNR will share the results with the private well owner or user.

Are you a homeowner interested in WisPPWT? For information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the DNR’s website: Wisconsin PFAS Private Well Testing Program (WisPPWT).

 

Compliance Testing

 

• PWS PFAS Compliance testing by EPA Method 537.1
• WWTP PFAS in Wastewater – Effluent Compliance Testing by EPA Method 1633A
• WWTP PFAS in Biosolids/Biosludge Compliance Testing by EPA Method 1633A

For more information or to order a kit, please call the PFAS line at 608-262-3750 or email us at WSLHPFAS@slh.wisc.edu

 

Test Options and Prices (effective November 1, 2025)

 

EPA 537.1 (Drinking Water)

 

PFAS in Water

 

PFAS in Wastewater (Effluent)

 

PFAS in Leachate

 

PFAS in Tissue

 

PFAS in Solids

 

PFAS in Biosolids

 

PFAS in Wastewater (Influent)

 

PFAS in Organic Materials

 

Field Reagent Blank (FRB) is required for PWS Compliance testing. For homeowners not testing for compliance purposes, the FRB is optional. The FRB is comprised of a bottle of PFAS-free water that travels from the lab to the sampling site, is poured into an empty bottle, and travels back to the lab with the sample. The FRB is used to check for any contamination that may have taken place during transit or during sampling. The FRB is ONLY analyzed if there are PFAS detected in the corresponding sample. The sampler is only billed for the FRB if it is analyzed.

 

Instructional Videos

 

For Homeowners

 

Unpacking Your PFAS Kit

 

EPA 537.1 for Drinking Water

EPA 1633A for Water/Effluent

EPA 1633A for Solids and Biosolids 

 

Taking Your PFAS Sample

 

EPA 537.1 for Drinking Water

EPA 1633A for Water

EPA 1633A for Solids and Biosolids

 

Labeling Your Bottles and Filling Out Paperwork

 

EPA 1633A Water, EPA 1633A Solids, EPA 537.1 Drinking Water

 

Repackaging Your PFAS Kit

 

EPA 1633A (Water, Solids and Biosolids) and EPA 537.1 (Drinking Water)

 

 

For Wastewater Treatment Plants/Public Drinking Water Systems

 

Unpacking Your PFAS Kit

 

EPA 537.1 for Drinking Water

EPA 1633A for Water/Effluent

EPA 1633A for Solids and Biosolids

 

Taking Your PFAS Sample

 

EPA 1633A for Water/Effluent

EPA 1633A for Solids and Biosolids  

EPA 537.1 Drinking Water

 

Labeling Your Bottles and Filling Out Paperwork

 

EPA 1633A Water/Effluent, EPA 1633 Biosolids/Solids

 

Repackaging Your PFAS Kit

 

EPA 1633A (Water, Solids and Biosolids) and EPA 537.1 (Drinking Water)  

 

FAQs

 

What’s the difference between the two tests? 

• EPA 537.1 includes 18 PFAS compounds. It is a drinking water-specific test method developed and published by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• PFAS in Water by EPA 1633A includes 40 PFAS compounds. This test is for aqueous samples including: surface water, ground water, effluent, and non-compliance drinking water. This is an isotope dilution method.

 

What’s the difference between PFAS, PFOS and PFOA?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide array of consumer and industrial products since the 1950s. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are two types of PFAS. You can learn more about PFAS here.

 

Are there health-based standards for these compounds?

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has developed drinking water health advisories for 18 PFAS – listed on DHS’ PFAS webpage under the recommended groundwater standards tab. Individuals that have tested their drinking water for PFAS can use this online tool to help interpret their results.

 

How do I request a test kit?

Please call us at 608-262-3750 (Monday – Friday, 7:45 AM – 4:30 PM or leave a voicemail after hours) or email us at WSLHPFAS@slh.wisc.edu. As there are many options, please let us know which specific kit you are interested in ordering.

 

What is the current turnaround time for test results? 

Turnaround time is approximately 3-4 weeks + 1 additional week if we need to run your field blank (for EPA 537.1). It is 4-6 weeks for biosolids. You can call 608-262-3750 or email WSLHPFAS@slh.wisc.edu to get an estimate for your situation.

 

Why is the turnaround time so long?

This is a very labor-intensive test. When the lab is not running at capacity, the turnaround time is approximately 1 month.

 

I have my kit, when should I collect my sample?

Collect your sample at your earliest convenience once you have received your kit.

For Compliance testing, sampling should occur within the window on the paperwork provided to you by WDNR. Please sample as early in your window as possible to ensure work can be completed and reported before the end of your window.

 

How will I get my results?

Results will be sent to the email address you provide when setting up your account. If you do not provide an email address, your results will be sent via US Postal Service.

 

How/when do I pay for my test? 

An invoice will be sent through US Postal Service to the address you provide when setting up your account. This occurs around the 5th of the month after you have received your results.

 

I have my results, what do they mean? 

The lab can assist you in understanding how to read your Final Report. However, if you have questions about what your test results mean for your health, please contact DHS at DHSEnvHealth@dhs.Wisconsin.gov or DNR at DNRPFASInquiries@wisconsin.gov and one of their experts will get in touch with you.

• DHS Brochure on PFAS Filtration – https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p03012.pdf
• UW Natural Resources Institute – How to read your Private Well Water PFAS Lab Report – https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/files/2025/10/English_How-to-read-your-results-guide_PFAS_Final.pdf
• EPA’s latest PFAS guidelines -This is specifically for public drinking water and not yet enforceable in the state of Wisconsin, but it is a helpful guideline to which to compare your results – https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas

 

Do you perform custom PFAS research projects?

We have some limited ability to customize research projects for academic researchers and organizations. If you are interested in designing a specific PFAS project, please call us at 608-262-3750 or email us at WSLHPFAS@slh.wisc.edu

 

I have other questions about PFAS, who can I contact for more information?

DNR PFAS contacts by subject area can be found here.