EPA Proposes Stringent New Standards For PFAS In Drinking Water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") proposed the first national drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ("PFAS"), sometimes called "forever chemicals," on March 14, 2023.

The proposed rule would establish maximum contaminant levels ("MCLs") for six PFAS known to be found in drinking water, including perfluorooctanoic acid ("PFOA"), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid ("PFOS"), perfluorononanoic acid ("PFNA"), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid ("HFPO-DA", commonly known as GenX chemicals), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid ("PFHxS"), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid ("PFBS"). Under the new rule, public water systems would be required to monitor for these chemicals, alert the public regarding PFAS levels, and take measures to decrease them if they surpass the approved standards.