EPA Relaxes Regulations on PFAS Contamination in Drinking Water
U.S. EPA Delays PFOA and PFOS Compliance Deadlines, Sparks Debate
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to retain the current drinking water standards for Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS), but delay related compliance deadlines from 2029 to 2031. This decision, made in the midst of ongoing legal challenges, has sparked debate among environmental groups, industry groups, and the public.
Under the Biden-era MCL Rule, states and water systems have been grappling with the tight timeline for pilot testing, development of construction plans, and building necessary treatment improvements. The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators has expressed concerns about the feasibility of meeting the original 2029 deadline.
In response to these challenges, the EPA will issue a proposed rule this fall and finalize the rule in early 2026, pushing back the compliance deadlines by two years. This decision, however, has faced criticism from environmental groups who argue that it violates the Safe Drinking Water Act's 'anti-backsliding provision' and could potentially have a negative impact on public health.
The EPA's announcement also includes a hint at 'holding polluters accountable.' Laura Mulry, an expert in Environment & Climate Change, Sustainability & Responsible Business, and Energy Transition, stated that the need for a 'polluter pays model' has guided a lot of the work to be done at EPA in the future.
Industry groups, on the other hand, have applauded the EPA's stance as necessary and pragmatic. Taylor Pullins, an expert in Mergers & Acquisitions, supports the decision, citing the need for a more realistic timeline for implementation.
It's important to note that the incumbent president during the period when the MCL rules for six PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS, were set was Donald Trump. Lee Zeldin served as EPA Administrator during that period.
The EPA also plans to rescind regulations for four other PFAS covered in the Biden-era PFAS drinking water rule (PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and the Hazard Index mixture of these three plus PFBS). The EPA will support the defense of the MCL Rule with respect to PFOA and PFOS in the ongoing legal challenges to the rule.
For more information, you can find the EPA's May 14, 2025 announcement here.
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