EPA Initiative Intends To Help Proactively Address PFAS In Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 14, 2026, a new initiative called PFAS OUTreach — or PFAS OUT. According to EPA, the new effort proactively works with communities and water systems to reduce exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water, “years ahead of compliance with federal regulatory requirements.” EPA states that it aims to engage directly about 3,000 drinking water systems nationwide that have known challenges with PFOA and PFOS, “ensuring they are aware of the support available to them” (approximately two percent of water systems). All water systems will be able to access PFAS OUT resources and can secure technical assistance through EPA’s RealWaterTA.