Learn More About EPA’s New PFAS Safe Drinking Water Standards

In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced a new maximum contaminant level (“MCL”) for monitoring and regulation of six PFAS (Perfluoroalky and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, aka “forever chemicals”).

PFAS are identified by extremely strong bonds of fluorine and carbon which do not easily disintegrate in the environment or in the human body. These “forever chemicals” have been utilized since the 1940’s because they are highly effective at repelling oil and water. 

All community[1] and non-transient non-community water systems[2] must comply with the PFAS MCLs beginning in 2027. Until now, all prior information from the EPA regarding PFAS was advisory. The prior advisory level from the EPA for PFAS was 70 parts per trillion (“ppt”). The new MCLs for the six PFAS are as follows:

  • 4 ppt for PFOA
  • 4 ppt for PFOS
  • 10 ppt for PFNA
  • 10 ppt for PFHxS
  • 10 ppt for HFPO-DA
  • 1 (unitless) hazard index of a mixture of two or more PFAS chemicals: PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and HFPO-DA (commonly known as Gen X)

Often, state governments required larger drinking water systems to monitor the amount of PFAS in their drinking water. Although, they did not impose a regulation. Now, all community and non-transient non-community water systems must begin monitoring for PFAS by 2027. Systems must provide their monitoring data to the EPA. If a water system has a level at or over the MCL, they must implement infrastructure to reduce the PFAS below the limits.

Realities of PFAS Monitoring

One of the difficult realities of measuring for these MCLs is finding a lab with analytical capabilities to detect that level of PFAS in a sample, and at an affordable rate. Many labs do not currently have the analytical capabilities to detect 4 ppt or lower in a sample. Before a water system submits its sample to a particular lab, it should ensure the lab can detect 4 ppt or lower. The sample must show 3.99 ppt or lower to be in compliance with the MCL for PFOA and PFOS. PFOA and PFOS are the most common PFAS in drinking water. Typically, the smaller the detection limit required, the more expensive the test.

Funding is available from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the EPA’s Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program to assist with making the impacted water systems compliant with this new regulation. There are also other federal programs available to assist with any additional costs. Another program, the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (“WIFIA”), provides low-cost, flexible funding to communities for water infrastructure projects. WIFIA funding is available year-round.

Although the EPA provided three years for systems to begin the process, the sooner a system understands their situation the better. Schroeder Law Offices, P.C. assists many municipal water systems regarding compliance with drinking water standards. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding your water system.

[1] “Community Water System” means a public water system that has 15 or more service connections used by year-round residents, or that regularly serves 25 or more year-round residents. 40 CFR § 141.2.

[2] “Non-Transient Non-Community Water System” or “NTNC” means a public water system that regularly serves at least 25 of the same persons over 6 months per year. 40 CFR § 141.2.