Changes to Biden-era Water Protection Standards

Focus narrowed to two primary chemicals among PFAS

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced significant revisions to the national drinking water guidelines originally established by the Biden administration. Originally implemented last year, these guidelines were designed to manage the concentration of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as 'forever chemicals,' in the nation's water supplies. Although there are numerous kinds of these compounds, the guidelines initially focused on capping levels for five specific PFAS: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. However, the agency now plans to uphold these limits solely for PFOA and PFOS, the most prevalent among them.

These 'forever chemicals' have been associated with health issues such as cancer, liver disease, and asthma. The regulations put in place previously stated that the highest permissible levels for both PFOA and PFOS in water should not exceed 4 parts per trillion, while PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (collectively known as GenX chemicals) had an upper limit of 10 parts per trillion. Despite this, the new decision rolls back restrictions for the latter three chemicals. It's important to note, however, that PFOA and PFOS are the most common PFAS found in the environment. The EPA explained that their objective is to lessen the impact on water utilities and potentially reduce water bills, all while maintaining public health protection.

Deadline Extensions for Compliance

Furthermore, the EPA mentioned plans to extend the time frame for water utilities to achieve compliance with these standards. The original deadline of 2029 will be pushed to 2031, allowing more time for the development and implementation of necessary action plans. This grace period is set to support water systems throughout the country, especially those serving smaller or rural communities, as they work towards addressing these chemical contaminants, according to comments from EPA Administrator Zeldin.