Overview

• The Environmental Protection Agency announced it will eliminate drinking water limits for four PFAS chemicals, including GenX, while maintaining limits for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion.
• Utilities will now have until 2031, two years later than previously planned, to comply with PFOA and PFOS standards, citing the need for flexibility and cost concerns.
• The rollback follows lawsuits from industry and water utilities challenging the Biden administration's 2024 rule, which was the first federal regulation of PFAS in drinking water.
• Environmental groups criticized the decision, arguing it weakens public health protections and violates the Safe Drinking Water Act's anti-backsliding provisions.
• The EPA plans to propose revised PFAS standards in fall 2025 and finalize them by spring 2026, while launching a support initiative called 'PFAS OUT' for water utilities.