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ARTICLE · 03 JULY 2026

EPA Proposes UCMR 6 For PFAS And Other Contaminants, Declines Adding Microplastics

The EPA has proposed the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6), requiring public water systems to collect data on 30 unregulated contaminants including certain PFAS from 2028 to 2030. Despite petitions from seven state governors and environmental groups, the agency declined to add microplastics to the monitoring list, citing the absence of validated testing methods, though microplastics remain on the draft Contaminant Candidate List 6 for potential future regulation.

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Highlights

  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its proposed Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) on July 1, 2026, requiring certain public water systems to collect national data on 30 unregulated contaminants, including certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), from 2028 to 2030.
  • EPA also declined a petition from the governors of seven states and supporting environmental groups to add microplastics to UCMR 6, citing the lack of a validated test method.
  • PFAS and microplastics both remain federal priorities, with microplastics remaining a focus of the Make America Healthy Again initiative and ongoing research.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) on July 1, 2026. The proposed rule would require public water systems to collect national data on 30 unregulated contaminants that are not currently subject to national primary drinking water regulations under

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