Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous "forever chemicals" due to their usefulness. Still, they have become persistent contaminants in aquatic environments, posing significant risks to human and environmental health because of their resistance to degradation, bioaccumulative nature, and presence in drinking water sources. Current PFAS detection methods are slow, expensive, and require extensive sample preparation, creating barriers for routine monitoring and regulatory compliance. This study presents a novel, cost-effective PFAS detection method utilizing a coated optical fiber coupled with Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, designed for real-time detection in complex water matrices. The primary objectives of this research are to: (i) evaluate the coated optical fiber's capabilities to detect various PFAS compounds (Perfluorooctanoic acid and Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid); (ii) investigate how solution pH influences detection sensitivity; (iii) determine the detection limit of the coated optical fiber system; (iv) analyze the impact of background water chemistry that contains alkalinity and natural organic matter (NOMs) on detection performance; and (v) assess the fiber’s regeneration and reuse capabilities. Preliminary results indicate that the coated optical fiber system detects PFOA and PFOS better than an uncoated fiber. Adsorption was most effective at pH 4.5 for PFOA and pH 5.6 for PFOS. The coated optical fiber displayed a PFAS detection range between 100 mg/L and 0.01 mg/L. Although increasing alkalinity and the presence of NOM reduced overall adsorption efficiency, both PFOA and PFOS were still detected. Furthermore, the fiber's regeneration capability enables continuous reuse for real-time monitoring. Overall, this technology represents a substantial step toward sensitive, sustainable PFAS detection and real-time water quality monitoring.