EPA Sets First-Ever National Drinking Water Standard For PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' In Drinking Water; PA State MCL Will Change

On April 10, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced it has adopted the first-ever national drinking water standard for PFAS 'forever chemicals' in drinking water.

For PFOA and PFOS, EPA is setting a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, a non-enforceable health-based goal, at zero. 

EPA said this reflects the latest science showing that there is no level of exposure to these contaminants without risk of health impacts, including certain cancers.

EPA is setting enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels at 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, individually. 

This standard will reduce exposure from these PFAS in our drinking water to the lowest levels that are feasible for effective implementation.

For PFNA, PFHxS, and “GenX Chemicals,” EPA is setting the MCLGs and MCLs at 10 parts per trillion.

In January 2023, DEP set a state Maximum Contaminant Level for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA. Read more here.

The Pennsylvania rule sets an MCL of 14 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and an MCL of 18 ppt for PFOS.  No standard was set for other types of forever chemicals.

The state MCLs are intended to protect against adverse developmental effects (including neurobehavioral and skeletal effects), and adverse immune system effects (including immune suppression).  Read more here.

Under Pennsylvania's regulations, MCLs adopted by EPA are automatically adopted in DEP's Safe Drinking Water Program and can be no less stringent than federal standards by state law.

EPA also announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. 

“Drinking water contaminated with PFAS has plagued communities across this country for too long,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That is why President Biden has made tackling PFAS a top priority, investing historic resources to address these harmful chemicals and protect communities nationwide. Our PFAS Strategic Roadmap marshals the full breadth of EPA’s authority and resources to protect people from these harmful forever chemicals. Today, I am proud to finalize this critical piece of our Roadmap, and in doing so, save thousands of lives and help ensure our children grow up healthier.”  

EPA estimates that between about 6% and 10% of the 66,000 public drinking water systems subject to this rule may have to take action to reduce PFAS to meet these new standards. 

All public water systems have three years to complete their initial monitoring for these chemicals. 

They must inform the public of the level of PFAS measured in their drinking water. 

Where PFAS is found at levels that exceed these standards, systems must implement solutions to reduce PFAS in their drinking water within five years.

Click Here for the complete EPA announcement.

Visit DEP’s PFAS Chemicals In PA webpage for more information on ‘forever chemicals.’

Reaction

PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center's Clean Water Advocate, Stephanie Wein, released the following statement:

“The EPA is taking a vital step toward protecting Pennsylvania’s drinking water from the toxic scourge of PFAS – including assistance for rural Pennsylvanians. This step is a long time coming for communities in the commonwealth who have been suffering from toxic PFAS contamination in their water for far too long. Hopefully, this rule also reinforces the message that it is time to stop using these chemicals in the first place.”

Related Articles: ‘Forever Chemicals’:

-- Gov. Shapiro’s Proposed 2024-25 Budget Includes DEP Permit Modernization Initiative, Expands PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Testing; Expands DCNR Trails Program, PA Outdoor Corp  [PaEN]

-- DEP To Increase Monitoring, Develop Surface Water Standard For PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' After Study Shows 76% Of Streams, Rivers Contained At Least One Of These Chemicals  [PaEN]

-- DEP: Widespread Presence Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Fresh Water Leading Shale Gas Operators To Use Contaminated Water In Fracking Operations; DEP Doesn’t Require Routine PFAS Testing  [PaEN]

-- Attorney General Henry Files Civil Complaint Against DuPont And Affiliates For Manufacture Of PFAS 'Forever Chemicals,' Seeks Payment For Cleanup Costs  [PaEN]

-- Environmental Quality Board Publishes Final Reg. Setting PFOA/PFOS Drinking Water Standard And The First MCL Developed By DEP  [PaEN]

-- Gov. Wolf Releases Initial PFAS Action Team Report With Recommendations; 1 Of First 96 Water Systems Sampled Exceeded [Inadequate] Action Level; 25 Contamination Sites Confirmed  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 10, 2024]  PA Environment Digest