Articles

PFAS Analysis Supporting U.S. EPA Rule UCMR 5 for Drinking Water

03 Oct 2025

feature EVAR4288
  • Sample Matrix: drinking water
  • Sample Preparation: samples for UCMR 5 testing are prepared and analyzed following EPA Methods 533 and 537.1 (WAX and S-DVB solid-phase extraction)
  • Detection Technique: LC-MS/MS

U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5)

In the U.S., the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) requires the monitoring of 30 contaminants (29 PFAS and lithium) in public drinking water systems. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires that UCMR 5 testing include all PFAS for which a drinking water method has been validated (and that are not subject to a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation); therefore, UCMR 5 includes all 29 PFAS that are within the scopes of EPA Methods 533 and 537.1. While both methods use a C18 column for LC-MS/MS analysis, they differ in sample preparation; 533 uses weak anion exchange (WAX) SPE cartridges, and 537.1 uses styrene-divinylbenzene (S-DVB) SPE cartridges. Both methods allow flexibility in specific areas and prohibit changes in others. The full analyte list and recommended products for PFAS analysis in drinking water for UCMR 5 samples are provided below. In addition, you can register and directly compare analyte lists and matrices across PFAS analysis methods here or visit www.restek.com/PFAS to explore our technical resources for PFAS analysis.

Analyte List for EPA UCMR 5 for PFAS Analysis

PFAS acronyms, compound names, and CAS numbers vary across methods and guidelines, and they also depend on compound form (e.g., neutral vs. salt). The following list uses standardized terminology to allow easy comparison across the methods and guidelines in our comprehensive guide. Please refer to U.S. EPA Rule UCMR 5 for method-specific nomenclature.

AcronymCompound NameCAS#
NEtFOSAAN-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid2991-50-6
NMeFOSAAN-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid2355-31-9
PFBSPerfluoro-1-butanesulfonic acid375-73-5
PFDAPerfluorodecanoic acid335-76-2
PFDoAPerfluorododecanoic acid307-55-1
PFHpAPerfluoroheptanoic acid375-85-9
PFHxSPerfluoro-1-hexanesulfonic acid355-46-4
PFHxAPerfluorohexanoic acid307-24-4
PFNAPerfluorononanoic acid375-95-1
PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid1763-23-1
PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid335-67-1
PFTeDAPerfluorotetradecanoic acid376-06-7
PFTrDAPerfluorotridecanoic acid72629-94-8
PFUnAPerfluoroundecanoic acid2058-94-8
HFPO-DA, GenXHexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid13252-13-6
PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid375-22-4
PFPeAPerfluoropentanoic acid2706-90-3
PFHpSPerfluoro-1-heptanesulfonic acid375-92-8
PFPeSPerfluoro-1-pentanesulfonic acid2706-91-4
4:2 FTS1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid757124-72-4
6:2 FTS1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid27619-97-2
8:2 FTS1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecane sulfonic acid39108-34-4
9Cl-PF3ONS9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (F-53B Major)756426-58-1
11Cl-PF3OUdS11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (F-53B Minor)763051-92-9
ADONA4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid919005-14-4
PFEESAPerfluoro(2-ethoxyethane)sulfonic acid113507-82-7
NFDHANonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid151772-58-6
PFMPAPerfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid377-73-1
PFMBAPerfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid863090-89-5

Recommended Products for EPA UCMR 5 for PFAS Analysis

Analytical LC Columns:


Colonne Raptor C18 2.7µm, 50 x 2.1 mm
Colonne LC Force C18, 1,8 μm 50 mm x 2.1 mm

Delay Columns:


“Colonne-retard” PFAS HPLC, 5 µm, 50 x 2.1 mm

PFAS delay column: 5 µm, 50 x 3.0 mm (cat.# 580959 [custom product])

Guard Columns:


Filtre/précolonne UltraShield UHPLC, fritté 0.2 μm, l’unité
Support de cartouche à connexion directe EXP, livré avec un écrou et 2 ferrules
Cartouche de garde Raptor C18 EXP, 2.7 µm, L 5 x DI 2.1 mm, lot de 3

Standards:


Solution-étalon de calibration PFAS 24, 1 μg/ml de chaque composé dans le méthanol (1 mM KOH), 1 ml/ampoule
Solution-étalon de calibration PFAS 28, 1 μg/ml de chaque composé dans le méthanol (1 mM KOH), 1 ml/ampoule

Sample Prep:


Cartouche SPE Resprep S-DVB, 500mg/6ml, lot de 30
Cartouche SPE Polymérique Resprep WAX, 6ml/500mg, 30μm, pack de 30
Cartouche SPE Polymérique Resprep WAX, 6ml/200mg, 30μm, pack de 30

Vacuum Manifolds:


Manifold sous-vide Resprep QR-24
Manifold sous-vide Resprep QR-12

Vacuum Pumps:


Pompe à vide Chemker 300 en PTFE, 20 L/min, AC110 V, 60 Hz
Pompe à vide Chemker 300 PTFE, 18 l/min, 220 V, 50 Hz

General Lab Supplies:


Flacon à volume limité à visser, polypropylène, 9 mm, 700 μl, 12 x 32 mm, lot de 100
Flacon à volume limité à visser, polypropylène, 9 mm, 700 μl, 12 x 32 mm, lot de 1000
Bouchon à visser, polyéthylène (solide), membrane de 0.254 mm, transparent, 2.0 ml, 9 mm, lot de 100
Bouchon à visser, polyéthylène (solide), membrane de 0.254 mm, transparent, 2.0 ml, 9 mm, lot de 1000
Tubes vides en polypropylène pour centrifugation de 50 ml, avec bouchons, lot de 50
Tubes vides en polypropylène pour centrifugation de 50 ml, avec bouchons, lot de 500
Seringues NORM-JECT, 10 ml, embout « luer lock », lot de 100
Seringues NORM-JECT, 5 ml, embout « luer lock », lot de 100

Discover More Solutions for PFAS Analysis!

EZLC modeler PFAS Placeholder Image

Author

  • Restek Corporation

    Restek is a leading provider of chromatography columns, accessories, and certified reference materials. Trust Restek for reliable, high-quality analytical solutions.

    View all posts
EVAR4288
Version: A