Update On PFAS Regulatory Actions For Drinking Water

EPA is moving forward on the drinking water component of its PFAS Action Plan by requesting the Office of Management to review its proposed regulatory determinations for two types of PFAS. This is a definite step toward developing formal drinking water standards called Maximum Contaminant Levels ("MCLs"). Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the EPA can legally enforce how much of a chemical is allowed in drinking water supplies only if there is an established MCL.

To date, the EPA has not set an MCL for any type of PFAS but has established a lifetime Health Advisory Level for drinking water at 70 parts per trillion for two of the PFAS chemicals, perfluorooctane sulfonate ("PFOS") and perfluorooctanoic acid ("PFOA"). Health Advisory Levels are non-enforceable and non-regulatory and provide technical information to state agencies and other public health officials on health effects, analytical methodologies, and treatment technologies associated with drinking water