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Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced 10 April 2024 it had issued a drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that aims to provide a new layer of safeguards for drinking water, reducing potential exposure to contamination for more than 100 million people.
“We are celebrating the outstanding news that the Biden-Harris administration has finalized the first ever national drinking water standards,” said Arlene Blum of the Green Science Policy Institute. “The EPA has set legally enforceable health protective levels for five PFAS that are known to occur in drinking water and also for mixtures. Our Institute's decade of science and policy work to reduce harm from PFAS contributed to this important victory for public health.”
Review
The new PFAS regulations are part of the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap.
Along with the final rule, EPA said it was allocating $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and United States territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination.
This funding is in addition to a $9 billion investment made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants and $12 billion for general drinking water improvements.
“Our PFAS Strategic Roadmap marshals the full breadth of EPA’s authority and resources to protect people from these harmful forever chemicals,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today, I am proud to finalize this critical piece of our roadmap, and in doing so, save thousands of lives and help ensure our children grow up healthier.”
Analysis
Between 6% and 10% of the 66,000 public drinking water systems subject to this rule may have to take action to reduce PFAS to meet these new standards, EPA estimates.
All public water systems in the United States have three years to complete their initial monitoring for these chemicals. Water systems are required to inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water.
For PFOA and PFOS, EPA set a maximum contaminant level goal, which is a non-enforceable health-based goal, at zero. EPA set enforceable maximum contaminant levels at 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, individually. For PFNA, PFHxS, and “GenX Chemicals,” EPA set the MCLGs and MCLs at 10 parts per trillion.
“The EPA took a thoughtful approach to allow utilities time to deploy new and emerging technologies that will make drinking water safer for all Americans,” said U.S. Tom Carper (D-De.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the Biden Administration to ensure every American has access to clean, safe and reliable drinking water and water services.”
Any water systems that exceed the PFAS threshold must implement solutions to reduce PFAS in their drinking water within five years.
“There is still important work to do, and many more PFAS chemicals that must be scrutinized, but these new standards are a strong and admirable first step,” U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) said in a joint statement. “We commend the Biden Administration for being a dedicated partner in this fight and will keep working closely with EPA to protect every American’s right to safe, clean drinking water.”
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About the author: Stefan Modrich is a Washington, D.C.- based reporter for 3E. He covers the latest developments in environmental health and safety policy and regulation. Modrich previously wrote for S&P Global Market Intelligence, The Arizona Republic and Chicago Tribune. He is an alumnus of Arizona State University and the University of Zagreb.
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