As part of a new PFAS strategy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is issuing two proposed rules for public comment that uphold the National Primary Drinking Water Standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), is highlighting innovative PFAS treatment and destruction technologies, and is announcing nearly $1 billion in new funding to states to address PFAS in drinking water.
- The first proposed rule, if finalized, would continue supporting the health-protective federal drinking water standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) while strengthening practical implementation by establishing an opt-in process through which eligible drinking water systems may apply for up to two additional years — until 2031 — to come into compliance with enforceable limits and adjust to new technology costs. Drinking water systems that wish to receive additional time would need to affirmatively seek the extension to 2031 and meet specific criteria the EPA will set out in the final rule or comply with the current 2029 implementation date.
- The second proposed rule, if finalized, would address issues of previously combining proposed rule timeframes to allow further public review of the regulations for four PFAS previously promulgated: perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly referred to as GenX chemicals), and the hazard index of these three plus perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS).
- The EPA notes that the Agency continues PFAS research and recently developed a method capable of detecting 40 PFAS compounds across media ranging from groundwater and sediment to landfill liquid and fish tissue as well as conducting research to understand the thousands of PFAS compounds and to advance new treatment and destruction technologies.
- The Agency is also announcing nearly $1 billion in grant funding to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant.
Click here to read the EPA’s PFAS strategy.
The two proposed rules will be published in the Federal Register with a 60-day public comment period, and the EPA will hold a public hearing on July 7.
As previously reported on April 8, the EPA is requesting comment on the Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List that includes three new PFAS groups. Comments are due to the EPA by June 5. Click here to see the list and make comment.
Also in April, the EPA delayed the start of the reporting period for PFAS Reporting and Recordkeeping Rule (PFAS Reporting Rule) to begin on January 31, 2027.