On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals”. The rule establishes legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), as well as health-based, non-enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) for the following PFAS in drinking water: PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFAS mixtures.
For more information on PFOA/PFOS, visit our 2019 post, New Emerging Chemicals Of Concern (PFOA, PFAS, and Others).
source: EPA.gov
The regulation requires public water systems (community and non-transient-non-community systems) to monitor for PFAS in drinking water and comply with the MCLs above:
- Public water systems have three years to complete initial monitoring (by 2027), followed by ongoing compliance monitoring
- Beginning in 2027, provide the public with information on the levels of PFAS in their water
- Systems have five years (by 2029) to implement solutions to reduce PFAS levels to below allowable MCLs
- By 2029, public water systems must comply with all MCLs and provide public notification of any violations
Are you a small water system looking for support in navigating the new PFAS monitoring and compliance requirements? Contact our Water System O&M Team to assist you in water quality monitoring, treatment, compliance preparation and regulatory assistance. The EPA has also published a PFAS Communications Toolkit to assist in communicating about PFAS and these new limits.
