Drinking water quality in Caen
PFAS in drinking water
The total of 20 PFAS ("forever chemicals") was last measured at 0.0058 µg/L. The EU limit is 0.1 µg/L, so this water is at 6 % of the limit. (9 June 2026)
The four most harmful PFAS add up to 0 µg/L, below the health limit of 0.004 µg/L used in Sweden since 2026.
Substances too small to measure count as 0, so the real total may be higher.
20 PFAS (see each substance)
| Acide perfluoropentanoïque (PFPEA) | 0.0024 µg/L |
| Acide perfluorohexanoïque (PFHXA) | 0.0021 µg/L |
| Acide perfluorobutanoïque (PFBA) | 0.0013 µg/L |
| Acide perfluorododécanoique (PFDoDA) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoropentane sulfonique (PFPS) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoro-decanoïque (PFDA) | <0,001 µg/L |
| Acide perfluorododécane sulfonique (PFDoDS) | <0,0020 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoro tridecanoique (PFTrDA) | <0,002 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoroheptanoïque (PFHPA) | <0,001 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoro tridecane sulfonique (PFTrDS) | <0,0050 µg/L |
| Acide perfluorodecane sulfonique (PFDS) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoro-octanoïque (PFOA) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide perfluorononane sulfonique (PFNS) | <0,001 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoro undecane sulfonique (PFUnDS) | <0,001 µg/L |
| Acide sulfonique de perfluorooctane (PFOS) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoroheptane sulfonique (PFHpS) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide sulfonique de perfluorobutane (PFBS) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoro undecanoïque (PFUnA) | <0,0010 µg/L |
| Acide perfluoro-nonanoïque (PFNA) | <0,0010 µg/L |
Water report for Caen
Get the free water report for Caen, plus an alert whenever new official results are published.
Official assessment
The latest official test failed at least one quality requirement.
„La teneur en chlorothalonil R417888 (produit de dégradation de pestici des) reste inférieure aux valeurs limites fixées dans l'arrêté préfectoral de dérogation à la limite de qualité. Un programme d'amél ioration de la qualité des eaux porté par la collectivité est en cours, avec un suivi régulier des teneurs. A noter également que la valeur indicative définie pour le chlorothalonil R471811 n'est pas satisfaite.Un suivi renforcé est mis en place pour suivre l'évolution de ce paramètre. L'eau peut être consommée sans restriction d'usage.“
Values to watch
These values are at least halfway to their legal limit, or over it.
| Parameter | Value | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 33.7 mg/L | ≤ 50 mg/L | within limit |
Show all 20 official measurements
| Parameter | Value | Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 33.7 mg/L | ≤ 50 mg/L | within limit |
| Nitrite | <0,010 mg/L | ≤ 0.5 mg/L | within limit |
| Lead | 2.4 µg/L | ≤ 10 µg/L | within limit |
| Copper | 0.057 mg(Cu)/L | ≤ 2 mg(Cu)/L | within limit |
| Nickel | 2.1 µg/L | ≤ 20 µg/L | within limit |
| Arsenic | <0,25 µg/L | ≤ 10 µg/L | within limit |
| Cadmium | <0,025 µg/L | ≤ 5 µg/L | within limit |
| Chromium | 0.85 µg/L | ≤ 50 µg/L | within limit |
| Fluoride | <0,10 mg/L | ≤ 1.5 mg/L | within limit |
| Escherichia coli | <1 n/(100mL) | ≤ 0 mL) | within limit |
| Enterococci | <1 n/(100mL) | ≤ 0 mL) | within limit |
| Coliform bacteria | <1 n/(100mL) | ≤ 0 mL) | within limit |
| pH | 7.3 unité pH | 6.5–9 unité pH | within limit |
| Water hardness | 24.1 °f | no limit | informational |
| Electrical conductivity | 586 µS/cm | 200–1,100 µS/cm | within limit |
| Chloride | 44.6 mg/L | ≤ 250 mg/L | within limit |
| Sulphate | 28 mg/L | ≤ 250 mg/L | within limit |
| Sodium | 19.4 mg/L | ≤ 200 mg/L | within limit |
| Iron | 4 µg/L | ≤ 200 µg/L | within limit |
| Turbidity | 0.12 NFU | ≤ 2 NFU | within limit |
Frequently asked questions
Is tap water in Caen safe to drink?
The latest official test failed at least one quality requirement.
How high are PFAS levels in Caen's drinking water?
The total of 20 PFAS ("forever chemicals") was last measured at 0.0058 µg/L. The EU limit is 0.1 µg/L, so this water is at 6 % of the limit. (below the EU limit)
Does the water in Caen also meet the strictest limits in Europe?
Yes. Even against Europe's strictest limit, the health limit of 0.004 µg/L used in Sweden since 2026, the measured value of 0 µg/L stays below.
How hard is the water in Caen?
The water hardness in Caen is 24.1 °f (medium). This mainly matters for household appliances and detergent dosing, not for health.
Where does this data come from?
All values come from official publications: Hub'eau, Qualité de l'eau potable (Ministère de la Santé / OFB / BRGM). Retrieved on 28 August 2026.
Data source
- Hub'eau, Qualité de l'eau potable (Ministère de la Santé / OFB / BRGM)
- https://hubeau.eaufrance.fr/api/v1/qualite_eau_potable/resultats_dis?code_commune=14118
- License
- Licence Ouverte / Open Licence (Etalab)
- Retrieved
- 28 August 2026
- Supply networks
- ZONE HAUTE VAUCELLES, ZONE BASSE (CAEN), ZONE SNO, ZONE SURPRESSEE, ZONE HAUTE (CAEN), ZONE S.N.E.
This site is a data project, not an official source. If in doubt, check with your water supplier or local authority.