Yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a press release announcing it will maintain the previous Administration’s maximum containment levels at four parts-per-trillion for PFOA and PFAS. The National Primary Drinking Regulation is currently facing ongoing legal challenges from the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) and the American Water Works Association.
The agency will extend the compliance deadline to 2031, providing water systems with two additional years to comply with the new rule. EPA is also in the process of developing a federal exemption standard for specific communities, primarily in rural and smaller regions. Lastly, the agency is reevaluating the “Hazard Index” to ensure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Communities across America continue to face mounting public health threats due to failing infrastructure and waterborne diseases. We urge the Administration to focus on the science and prioritize the risk when determining new regulations.