The U.S. EPA issued two actions to protect public health by addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
The agency reissued the final regulatory determination to implement a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), according to the EPA press release. The Determination also states that the EPA is considering the regulation of additional PFAS chemicals.
EPA is reproposing the Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) to collect new data on PFAS in drinking water, according to the EPA press release. The agency is reissuing final Regulatory Determinations for PFOA and PFOS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
According to the EPA press release, under the UCMR 5, an additional 29 PFAS chemicals would be included. The proposed UCMR 5, once published in the Federal Register, will be subject to a 60-day public comment period and if implemented, the UCMR 5 will impose data collection obligations on public water systems of a certain size.
With the final Regulatory Determinations for PFOA and PFOS, EPA will move forward to implement the national primary drinking water regulation development process for these two PFAS. The Regulatory Determinations also outline avenues that the agency is considering to further evaluate additional PFAS chemicals.
“All people need access to clean and safe drinking water. One way that EPA is committed to keeping our communities safe is by addressing PFAS,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox in the EPA press release. “These actions will underpin better science, better future regulation, and improved public health protections.”
EPA will also hold a virtual stakeholder meeting twice during the public comment period.
