PFAS in Sparkling Water: Which Brands Are Safe to Drink?

I drink a lot of sparkling water. It replaced soda in our house years ago, so when I saw lab results showing PFAS in more than half the brands tested, I wanted to know exactly which ones were clean and which ones were not.

The testing results surprised me, and they changed how we handle things in our kitchen.

How common is PFAS in sparkling water?

When Mamavation sent 15 popular sparkling water brands to an EPA-certified lab, 60% came back with detectable PFAS. Levels ranged from trace amounts up to about 2.8 parts per trillion (ppt).

Topo Chico topped the list at roughly 2.8 ppt total, with two different PFAS compounds detected (PFBA and 6:2FTS). Spindrift Grapefruit came in at 2.6 ppt, and Nixie Strawberry Hibiscus at around 2.2 ppt. Even well-known European brands like Perrier (1.8 ppt) and San Pellegrino (0.8 ppt) showed measurable levels.

Consumer Reports ran its own round of tests and flagged Topo Chico at 9.76 ppt before the company overhauled its filtration. Levels have come down since, but the episode showed how widely PFAS levels can vary depending on the water source.

Where do the PFAS come from?

Sparkling water is mostly water, so the contamination usually traces back to the source. Bottling plants pull from municipal supplies or natural springs, and if that water already carries PFAS, carbonation does not remove it.

A 2025 study published in Environmental Science & Technology tested 23 beers and found PFAS in nearly every one. The levels tracked closely with the local water supply, and beers brewed near known contamination hotspots had the highest readings. The same principle applies to sparkling water: the bottling location matters as much as the brand name.

The cans and bottles themselves are not really the issue. Aluminum can linings are epoxy or acrylic, not PFAS-based. We go deeper on that in our post about PFAS in canned food linings.

Sparkling water brands that tested clean

Six brands came back with no detectable PFAS in the Mamavation testing:

• Liquid Death (aluminum can)
• Gerolsteiner (glass bottle)
• Mountain Valley Blackberry Pomegranate (glass bottle)
• Mineragua Jarritos (glass bottle)
• Poppi Cherry Cola (aluminum can)
• Zevia Lemon Lime (aluminum can)

Glass-bottled brands did well across the board. If you are at the store and not sure about a brand, glass is a safe bet.

Carbonate your own water at home

This is what actually changed things for us. Both home seltzer machines tested by Mamavation came back with no detectable PFAS, which makes sense: you control the water going in.

The trick is starting with filtered water. We use the Clearly Filtered 10-Cup Water Filter Pitcher, which targets 386+ contaminants including PFAS at up to 99.99% removal. Filter first, carbonate second, and you end up with sparkling water that is cleaner than almost anything on the shelf.

For more filter options, see our full water filter comparison guide.

Quick steps to reduce PFAS from sparkling water

• Check the brand. Stick with brands that have tested clean or use highly filtered source water.
• Filter before you fizz. If you carbonate at home, run your tap water through a PFAS-certified filter first. Our drinking water testing guide can help you figure out what is in your tap.
• Choose glass when possible. Glass bottles eliminate any question about container leaching, even though cans are generally fine.
• Skip coated paper cups. Fountain drinks served in grease-resistant paper cups can pick up PFAS from the cup itself. Bring a stainless bottle when you can. We have recommendations in our PFAS-free water bottles guide.

You can also search the PFAS Free Life Database for more verified products across every category.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does sparkling water contain PFAS?

Independent lab testing found detectable PFAS in about 60% of popular sparkling water brands. Levels ranged from trace amounts up to roughly 2.8 parts per trillion. The contamination usually comes from the source water used at the bottling plant, not from the can or bottle itself.

Which sparkling water brands are PFAS-free?

Brands that tested with no detectable PFAS include Liquid Death, Gerolsteiner, Mountain Valley, Mineragua Jarritos, Poppi, and Zevia. Glass-bottled brands tend to test cleaner overall. Testing results can change over time as companies adjust their water sources and filtration.

Is it safer to make sparkling water at home?

Yes. Home seltzer machines tested with no detectable PFAS when used with filtered water. The key is to start with a water filter that is independently certified for PFAS reduction, then carbonate the filtered water yourself. This gives you full control over the water quality.

*Research references: Mamavation Sparkling Water PFAS Testing

Environmental Science & Technology 2025*