ASTSWMO looks forward to working with EPA and our State Association partners on the proposed PFAS National Drinking Water Regulation. The proposed Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 4 ppt for PFOS, in addition to EPA’s proposal to address four additional PFAS (GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS) as a mixture using a Hazard Index of 1, also impacts the cleanup work conducted under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
EPA Proposal Summary: On March 14, 2023, EPA announced the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). The proposed PFAS NPDWR does not require any actions until it is finalized. EPA anticipates finalizing the regulation by the end of 2023.
EPA is requesting public comment on the proposed regulation. The public comment period will open following the proposed rule publishing in the Federal Register. Public comments can be provided at that time at www.regulations.gov under Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114.
EPA will be holding two informational webinars about the proposed PFAS NDPWR on March 16, 2023, and March 29, 2023. The webinars will be similar, with each intended for specific audiences. Registration is required to attend. The webinar recordings and presentation materials will be made available following the webinars.
For more information on the proposed regulation, submitting comments, and registering for the webinars visit: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
For information on ASTSWMO’s activities re: PFAS, visit: https://astswmo.org/cec-steering-committee/