The United States set limits of 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, with compliance due in 2029 or later.
Why this market is moving now
- Drinking water limits are arriving: US systems must comply by 2029, and new PFAS limits in France apply from January 2026.
- US public water suppliers are receiving settlement money for PFAS treatment, with 3M paying $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion through 2036.
- Water companies are building PFAS into growth plans, as with Veolia's EUR 1 billion revenue target for micropollutants by 2030.
- US deadlines may move: a proposal would allow two more years, to 2031, for PFOA and PFOS.
Key figures
Global figures for this market, with the year each one describes. Use Cite to copy a reference to this page.
| Figure | Value | Year | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veolia targets EUR 1 billion of revenue by 2030 from treating micropollutants such as PFAS. | 1 EUR billion | 2030 | |
| Veolia aims to have more than 100 PFAS treatment systems for municipal water running across the United States by 2029. | 100 treatment systems | 2029 | |
| Veolia says more than 99% of the drinking water supply points it managed in France in 2024 already met the PFAS limits that entered into force in January 2026. | 99 % of supply points | 2024 | |
| 3M will pay $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion in total, from 2024 through 2036, to settle PFAS drinking water claims by US public water suppliers. | 10.5 USD billion (low end) | 2025 | |
| 3M committed to exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025. | 2025 exit year | 2025 | |
| The United States set enforceable drinking water limits of 4.0 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS. | 4.0 parts per trillion | 2024 | |
| US public water systems have until 2029 to install treatment if their PFAS levels exceed the limits, after completing initial monitoring by 2027. | 2029 compliance year | 2024 | |
| A US proposal would let drinking water systems request two more years, to 2031, to meet the PFOA and PFOS limits. | 2031 extended compliance year (proposed) | 2026 |
Calculated figures (shares, changes and prices per kilogram) are plain arithmetic on the reported values. Read how we work.
Companies to watch
Veolia
Water and waste group targeting EUR 1 billion of micropollutant treatment revenue by 2030 and more than 100 US municipal PFAS systems by 2029.
3M
Former PFAS producer that is paying $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion to US public water suppliers through 2036.
Xylem
Water technology company that will regroup its businesses into Treatment and Services, Flow Solutions, and Measurement and Analytics from 1 January 2027 (
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the global market - 03Global market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Countries and regions
Demand, supply and trade by country and region - 05Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 06Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 07Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 08Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 09Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 10Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 11Method and assumptions
How every figure was built
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Frequently asked questions
How big is the PFAS water treatment market?
No public primary source gives a world market size. One large operator, Veolia, targets EUR 1 billion of revenue from micropollutant treatment, including PFAS, by 2030.
What are the PFAS limits in drinking water?
The United States set enforceable limits of 4.0 parts per trillion each for PFOA and PFOS. Public water systems have until 2029 to install treatment if they exceed them.
Has the US PFAS compliance deadline changed?
A proposal would let drinking water systems request two more years, to 2031, to meet the PFOA and PFOS limits. The 2029 deadline stands until a final rule is issued.
Who pays for PFAS water treatment?
Partly polluters. 3M will pay $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion, from 2024 through 2036, to settle PFAS drinking water claims by US public water suppliers.
Who are the main PFAS treatment companies?
Veolia aims to run more than 100 municipal PFAS treatment systems in the United States by 2029 and says more than 99% of its French supply points already met 2026 limits.
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