Monitoring carried out by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has detected PFAS in surface water and groundwater across Scotland.

As part of an initial scoping study to determine PFAS concentration in the Scottish environment, SEPA collected samples from 97 surface water sites (rivers and lochs) and 37 groundwater sites across Scotland and tested them for 29 PFAS. The testing took place in 2025 at sites selected to represent different water bodies and geographical locations: a total of 283 samples were taken.

PFAS are a group of around 10,000 chemicals often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ as they are highly persistent and take generations to break down in the environment. Exposure to some PFAS has been linked with adverse health impacts, including certain cancers, reduced fertility, and the disruption of the immune system.

PFAS were found at 89% of surface water sites, which includes rivers and lochs and 57% of groundwater sites. PFAS concentrations were higher in surface waters compared to groundwaters.

Results indicated that PFAS concentrations were generally lower than those detected in England between 2014 and 2019 by the Environment Agency. However, these findings are still concerning given that PFAS do not break down easily and so build up in the environment as emissions continue.

PFOS, a type of PFAS, was detected at 77% of the surface water sites. The samples with the highest concentrations of PFOS were found in sites close to activities associated with PFAS pollution, such as airports and landfills. No surface water samples exceeded the maximum allowable concentration for PFOS which has been set to protect surface water from short-term inputs (i.e. acute exposure). 

PFOS was previously used in firefighting foams, among other uses. It is classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly cancer-causing, and was restricted globally in 2009.

On this testing, SEPA’s Chief Regulator said: “PFAS are being detected more widely around the world and, given how extensively they have been used for decades, their presence in Scotland’s water environment is not unexpected.”

SEPA will continue monitoring PFAS in waterways as part of a multi-year programme, with additional sampling planned in 2026.

CHEM Trust is calling for regulators to turn off the tap on PFAS. The EU is currently considering a universal PFAS restriction, which would apply to all PFAS and control pollution at the source once introduced. CHEM Trust supports this proposal and wants to see the UK adopt the same approach.  

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