PFAS - Answers to your frequent asked questions

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of perfluorinated substances counting more than 5,000 chemical compounds. 

They are present in a wide range of products such as

• food packaging
• paints, varnishes, inks, dyes
• water- and stain-repellent coatings
• pesticides & herbicides
• foam extinguishers (excluding CO2 extinguishers)
• non-stick coatings
• waterproof clothing
• shampoos, sun creams, cosmetics…

PFAS are highly persistent, mobile in the environment and bioaccumulative.

As a result, these pollutants can end up in the soil, in groundwater (via industries, foam extinguishers, waste water) and in the human body.

PFAS are manufactured by the chemical industry for their non-stick, water-repellent and heat-resistant properties. Hence, these substances are used in a wide range of products such as:

• food packaging
• paints, varnishes, inks, dyes
• water- and stain-repellent coatings
• pesticides & herbicides
• foam extinguishers (excluding CO2 extinguishers)
• non-stick coatings
• waterproof clothing
• shampoos, sun creams, cosmetics…

They can also be found in foods such as

•  eggs
• milk
• meat
• fish
• tap water

All PFAS consist of a chain of carbon atoms to which fluorine atoms have been added. However, the bond between a carbon and a fluorine atom is extremely strong, meaning that PFAS degrade very little naturally and are therefore very persistent in the environment (hence their name ‘forever substances’).

Given their widespread use by industry since the 1950s, PFAS accumulate everywhere in the environment, particularly in the water and in the soil, but also in the human body.

Yes. Water coming from your tap complies with all the potability standards imposed by the European Water Quality Directive and the Belgian legislation that follows from it.

Tap water meets quality requirements that are set by legislation for more than 55 parameters (microbiological, chemical, radiochemical or indicator parameters) and VIVAQUA’s laboratory carries out regular quality controls throughout the water’s journey, from the catchment site to the consumer’s tap.

With regard to PFAS, the new European Drinking Water Directive was adopted in December 2020. It mentions PFAS for the first time, stating that from 1 January 2026, the cumulative total of 20 types of PFAS may not exceed 100 ng/l to ensure that the water is drinkable.

It has to be noted that 1 nanogram is equivalent to 1 gram divided by 1 billion.

From the end of 2021, VIVAQUA began systematic and regular monitoring of its catchment sites and reservoirs, in particular the 6 reservoirs that supply the Brussels Region. At the same time, VIVAQUA also regularly and systematically monitors the Brussels distribution network (in the municipalities).

Since early 2022, all the water analyses in the Brussels-Capital Region’s networks, i.e. at the Brussels consumer’s tap, show results significantly below the future standard of 100 ng/l.

Furthermore, for several months now, VIVAQUA has been publishing the analysis results on its website every month. The water analysis results for a specific supply address can be found on the page ‘Water quality in your street‘.

PFAS analysis is carried out using high-performance laboratory equipment. The technology used is high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS). This technique enables PFAS to be separated, identified and quantified in samples. The concentration levels sought are particularly low. They require high-performance equipment and rigorous analysis, as these substances are also present in laboratories and can interfere with the final results. It is therefore not unusual to observe different results from different laboratories.

VIVAQUA has entrusted these analyses to a specialised laboratory in the Netherlands.

Yes. VIVAQUA publishes the analysis results on its website every month. You can consult the complete report on the water distributed to your home. The results for PFAS can be found on page 3 of this report (in French or Dutch only) under the heading ‘Somme des 20 PFAS‘.

To find out more about water quality in your street:

1. go to the water quality module
2. select your municipality
3. enter your address
4. choose the time period for which you want to obtain the data
5. you get a summary of the calcium content (water hardness) at your address
6. click on ‘PDF file‘ to view and download the complete analysis report
7. the results for PFAS can be found on page 3 of this report