Consumer association Testachats has released results from tap water tests and an analysis of 30 bottled waters focused on potential contaminants like PFAS, pesticides, and their metabolites.
After examining tap water from 20 households across Belgium, Testachats reports “overall drinkability” but highlights pesticide residues in certain areas, citing an example of trace atrazine, a herbicide banned in Europe since 2004, found in a sample from Liège.
Regarding PFAS, Testachats’ findings are reassuring: either no substances were detected or only tiny traces well below the European threshold for 20 specific PFAS (100 ng/l), and even under Wallonia’s more stringent threshold of 30 ng/l.
However, trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), not classified as a PFAS of concern, was found in 19 of the 20 samples. If TFA were included in the total PFAS calculation, 16 of the 20 communities would exceed the European standard for total PFAS in drinking water at 500 ng/l.
For bottled still water (natural mineral and spring), the analysis shows generally good quality but a very limited presence of pesticide metabolites, with only one metabolite (desphenylchloridazon) detected in four samples, at concentrations close to but below European standards.
As for PFAS in bottled water, the results are broadly reassuring: none of the 44 compounds tested were found, except for a minimal trace of one PFAS (PFBA) in a single sample. TFA was detected in 18 samples, with one case exceeding the future European limit for total PFAS.
Testachats suggests that specific brands of bottled still water require closer monitoring due to traces of pesticides, PFAS (minimal traces), or TFA contamination.
The association advocates for a gradual ban on the production and use of these compounds and calls for improved monitoring of these substances in water, soil, and food.
