1 in 4 People Expresses 'Anxiety About Water Safety' in National Survey | Growing Interest in Water as PFAS Testing Becomes Mandatory

From April 2026, testing will be mandatory nationwide for PFOS and PFOA, particularly concerning substances within PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) found in tap water.

PFAS are substances with water- and oil-repellent properties, used in everyday products. They are difficult to break down and have been pointed out for their potential to remain in the environment and human bodies, leading to increased attention on their effects in recent years. Detections have been reported across Japan, and interest in water safety is growing.

Forest Home Service Co., Ltd., which offers the high-performance water purifier "WACOMS," conducted water quality tests and an awareness survey targeting households nationwide. The results showed that approximately 25% of respondents answered they have "felt anxious about water safety." This revealed a heightened awareness regarding the water used in daily life.

This press release introduces the background of the mandatory PFAS testing and presents the results of the nationwide water quality survey and consumer awareness survey.

Toward Mandatory PFAS Testing – Focus Grows on Tap Water Safety

Following reports of PFAS detection in various locations within Japan, PFAS will be added to the water quality standards as of April 1, 2026. The standard value is set at 50 ng/L or less for the combined total of PFOS and PFOA, and water utility operators will be obligated to conduct tests and comply with the standards.

As water quality, which was previously "difficult to ascertain," comes under systematic management, interest in tap water safety is expected to further increase among consumers. Furthermore, as the mandatory testing makes water quality situations more visible, attention may also be drawn to regional differences and variations based on water sources.

Regional Differences Revealed in Nationwide Household Water Quality Survey

WACOMS conducted water quality tests on households nationwide. The results confirmed that nitrate nitrogen was detected in approximately 70% of households, with regional variations observed.

Nitrate nitrogen is a substance that can be detected when agricultural fertilizers and domestic wastewater seep into groundwater, and it has long been identified as a groundwater quality issue. This survey also suggests that water quality trends may differ depending on sources and regions susceptible to such influences. Furthermore, the reality of these regional differences may become even more visible with the mandatory PFAS testing.

Consumer Awareness Survey on Tap Water
1 in 4 Expresses "Anxiety About Water Safety"

An awareness survey on tap water was conducted targeting consumers nationwide, with approximately 25% responding that they have "felt anxious about water safety."

Reasons for anxiety included:

- Aging water pipes

- Taste and odor

- Chemical substances (PFAS, etc.)

In response to these results, households are seen to be using water purifiers and water servers, indicating a growing conscious selection regarding water.

Furthermore, "water quality safety," "price," and "taste" were ranked highly when choosing water for home consumption.

These results suggest a tendency to prioritize "greater peace of mind in use" when it comes to water.

On the other hand, regarding awareness of substances like PFAS and nitrate nitrogen, many respondents answered "I don't know" or "I've heard the name," indicating that understanding of water quality has not yet fully permeated society. With the social backdrop of mandatory PFAS testing, interest in tap water safety and quality is expected to further increase.

'Water Quality' Selectable Even at Home – Evolution of High-Performance Purification Technology

In response to this growing demand, home water purification technology is also evolving. WACOMS is a high-performance water purifier that removes impurities from water at the nanoscale through its unique four-layer structure, including a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane filter.

It achieves a removal rate of over 99.7% (*1) for PFAS and over 99% (*2) for nitrate nitrogen, which has been difficult for conventional water purifiers to handle. Another feature is its ability to maintain stable water quality over extended periods by incorporating an automatic filter cleaning function.

Amidst the growing concern for water safety, it is gaining attention as a new option for "choosing household water."

(*1) Tested under high concentration conditions equivalent to 30 times the normal concentration. Tested on November 11, 2025, by MIZUKEN Co., Ltd., a water quality inspection agency registered by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Minister of the Environment, Registration No. 159.

(*2) Tested on April 23, 2020, by Hyogo Analysis Center Co., Ltd., a Type 20 water quality inspection agency registered by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Registration No. 212.