The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for perchlorate (rocket fuel chemical) on November 6 to the White House for review. A final regulation is needed by May 21, 2027 as required by court orders.
Perchlorate is commonly used in solid rocket propellants, munitions, fireworks, and airbag initiators for vehicles, matches, and signal flares. It can occur naturally, particularly in arid regions such as the southwestern United States.
NGWA has a best suggested practice for treating perchlorate in residential well systems. In it, the BSP states “Ingestion of perchlorate affects iodine uptake by the human thyroid and thus thyroidal hormone production,” while adding “public health risk from perchlorate remains controversial.” It has also been reported perchlorate causes cognitive and physical damage to children.
The EPA also sent its pending “Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule” on November 5 to the White House Office of Management and Budget for interagency review. Section 401 of the law requires companies seeking a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or other agencies to also obtain a water quality certification from states or tribes in which their project is located. The regulation allows states and tribes to veto major energy projects over water pollution concerns.