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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.

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A vineyard in central California that had been irrigated with PFAS-contaminated well water from firefighting foam used for years at a nearby airport.
Water lines are installed in a neighborhood in Burrillville in 2019 after its drinking water was contaminated with PFAS from firefighting foam.

Overview

  • 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.