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4d ago

Global Regulators Tighten PFAS Drinking Water Standards

This month saw the US enforce its first national PFAS drinking water limits, Canada propose class-wide toxic designations under CEPA, Australia issue stricter tap water guidelines

Roughly 60% of the U.S. population—about 200 million people—are served by water systems contaminated with PFAS chemicals.
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Overview

  • The US Environmental Protection Agency’s rule sets maximum contaminant levels of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS and GenX compounds in drinking water.
  • Environment and Health Canada have proposed listing PFAS as a toxic class under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, enabling a phased plan that will target firefighting foams first and consumer goods by 2027.
  • Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council released new PFAS drinking water guidelines that tighten allowable limits for multiple compounds and represent its most substantial update since 2023.
  • PFAS contamination affects roughly 60% of US water systems at levels above 1 ppt and exposure is linked to increased risks of cancer, reproductive disorders, developmental harm and immune suppression.
  • Monitoring and removal remain complex due to thousands of PFAS variants and varying national benchmarks, while advanced treatment upgrades threaten to raise consumer water bills.