EPA introduces new proposal: National Primary Drinking Water Regulation on PFAS

On March 14, 2023, EPA declared the proposal of National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six PFAS including perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluoro nonanoic acid (PFNA), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS).

The proposed PFAS-NPDWR requires no action until finalized. EPA expects the regulation to be finalized by the end of 2023. EPA hopes, if the rule is fully implemented, it could prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-related illnesses.

EPA is seeking public comment on the proposed regulation. The public comment period begins after the periodic proposed publication in the Federal Register. Public comments can be provided at that time at http://www.regulations.gov under Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114.

The EPA is proposing the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) to establish legally enforceable values, known as maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), for six PFASs in drinking water. PFOA and PFOS as individual contaminants and PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA as PFAS mixtures (commonly referred to as GenX chemicals). EPA is also proposing health-based non-mandatory maximum contaminant targets (MCLGs) for these six PFASs.

In addition, the proposed regulation would force public water systems to:

• Monitor for these PFAS.
• Notify the public of the levels of these PFAS.

Reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the proposed standards.

For more information, please refer to the below websites: - Pre-Publication Federal Register Notice PFAS NPDWR_NPRM_Final_3.13.23.pdf (epa.gov)