Benefits, Costs, and Affordability of Frequent PFAS Testing in Public Water Systems

ABSTRACT

Drinking water is a principal pathway for human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), yet inconsistent PFAS testing limits effective mitigation strategies. This study estimates households’ WTP for monthly PFAS testing policy across Michigan and Ohio public water systems and compares benefits with costs. Estimated WTP is $267 per household annually. Testing costs vary by utility size and water source, but mean WTP exceeds average costs across all utilities. Fewer than 1% of survey households exceed affordability concerns from added policy costs. The findings can inform policy discussions on PFAS monitoring as the NPDWR PFAS rule is under reconsideration.