WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took a landmark step in safeguarding public health and the environment with the announcement of new drinking water standards aimed at curbing exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals." The standards address a set of six PFAS chemicals, which have been used in industry and consumer goods but are harmful to people, wildlife, and the environment.

“The contamination of our drinking water supplies with these toxic chemicals is an urgent public health risk – particularly for the most vulnerable among us,” said Jim Murphy, senior director of legal advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation. “We welcome the Biden Administration’s new drinking water standards for six types of highly toxic PFAS. We look forward to working with the Administration as we work to turn off the tap on PFAS contamination before it enters our waters in the first place.”

President Biden pledged to set health-protective maximum contaminant levels for PFAS while running for office in 2020. The EPA used the best available science to evaluate what levels the standards should be set and to confirm that water treatment technologies are currently available to ensure that public water sources can meet those standards today. 

“This is a monumental victory for the American people and a new beginning for impacted communities across the country,” said Tony Spaniola, co-chair of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network.  “These PFAS drinking water standards will save the lives of countless Americans for generations to come.  Thank you to President Biden for putting public health and science above the demands of powerful special interests.” 

The new standards acknowledge that certain PFAS, specifically PFOS and PFOA, have no safe levels. These PFAS now have Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG) of 0ppt. The PFAS covered include PFOS, PFOA, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX.  

“The new drinking water standards are a tremendous victory for the community members who have fought tirelessly for the health of their families and ours,” said Rebecca Meuninck, regional executive director of the Great Lakes Region at the National Wildlife Federation. “Roughly 100 million Americans now have assurances that their water will be free of these toxic chemicals.” 

Each of the six PFAS compounds has undergone thorough research, revealing associations with significant health risks such as cancer, reproductive issues, and compromised immune function. Despite individual state initiatives to establish PFAS drinking water guidelines, the Biden Administration's efforts promise improved water quality for millions of individuals across 39 states. Ensuring protection against PFAS contamination is imperative for all people, regardless of where they live.

“I have experienced on a personal level what happens when these contaminants are not regulated and in our water,” said Sandy Wynn-Stelt, a Great Lakes PFAS Action Network co-chair and resident of Belmont, Mich., where the drinking water is contaminated by PFAS. “These are important steps that will protect human health and the environment for generations to come.  It could not have occurred without the dedication of activities, groups, and agencies working together. And there is still work to do.” 

The EPA is also offering unprecedented financial support to ensure universal access to clean, safe drinking water. Alongside today's finalized regulation, $1 billion has been allocated through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is aimed at assisting states and territories to establish testing and treatment programs in public water systems, as well as to help private well owners address PFAS contamination. 

The standards require public water systems to conduct regular PFAS monitoring. The initial round of monitoring by be completed by 2027; and when regulated PFAS are detected the public must be notified. Starting in 2029, if PFAS levels in public water systems violate maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), immediate action to reduce levels to meet the MCLs and public notification is required.

"Access to clean and safe drinking water is crucial for every community to thrive,” said Taofik Oladipo, policy manager for environmental justice, health, and community resilience at the National Wildlife Federation. “The EPA’s final PFAS drinking water rule is an important step toward ensuring that environmental justice communities do not continue to be disproportionately burdened by PFAS pollution in drinking water, safeguarding both public health and community resilience."