EPA Sets First National Drinking Water Standards for PFAS

New regulations will affect 66,000 water systems, requiring significant reductions in PFAS levels by 2029.

The U.S. EPA has established the first federally enforceable standards for five types of PFAS in drinking water, aiming to significantly reduce public health risks.
These new standards are expected to impact 66,000 public water systems, with 6-10% needing to lower PFAS levels to comply by 2029.
PFAS chemicals, used in a wide range of consumer products, are linked to serious health issues including cancer and liver damage.
The EPA's action follows extensive research and public pressure for federal regulation of PFAS, previously managed through a patchwork of state regulations.
Public water systems face a compliance cost of $1.5 billion annually, but the EPA provides $1 billion in grants for testing and treatment from the 2021 infrastructure law.