WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a broad new strategy Monday aimed at reducing exposure to PFAS chemicals, including new proposed drinking water rules, nearly $1 billion in funding for states and expanded efforts to remove the substances from the environment.
The EPA said the initiative focuses on a “lifecycle-based strategy” to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, which have been linked to health concerns and are often referred to as “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly in the environment.
As part of the announcement, the agency proposed rules that would maintain federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS while allowing some water systems additional time to comply with the standards under certain conditions.
“The Trump EPA is committed to Make America Healthy Again by ensuring clean air, land, and water—and by taking on PFAS the right way, across the full lifecycle and built to last,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “That means rules grounded in gold-standard science and the Safe Drinking Water Act, support for water systems on the front lines, and action to stop PFAS pollution at the source before it ever reaches a tap. The Biden administration cut corners and failed to follow the law. We are fixing that error with standards water systems can actually implement and that will hold up to scrutiny, while addressing PFOA and PFOS, two of the best-studied PFAS with well-documented health impacts.”
The EPA also announced nearly $1 billion in grants through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant program to help states address PFAS and other contaminants in drinking water systems.
According to the agency, the latest allocation brings total funding through the program to $5 billion over five years.
“PFAS contamination is a serious public health challenge that demands rigorous science, clear standards, and practical solutions,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “Across HHS, we are advancing gold-standard research to better understand PFAS exposure, toxicity, and long-term health impacts on Americans. EPA’s actions today take important steps to reduce exposure, strengthen drinking water protections, and support communities as we work to address environmental contributors to chronic disease and advance the Make America Healthy Again agenda.”
EPA officials said the first proposed rule would continue health-based drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS while allowing eligible water systems to apply for up to two additional years — until 2031 — to meet compliance requirements.
A second proposed rule seeks public comment on legal and procedural concerns involving previous Biden administration regulations for several additional PFAS chemicals, including PFHxS, PFNA and GenX chemicals.
The agency said it is also pursuing efforts to reduce PFAS pollution at its source through wastewater discharge standards, chemical reviews and pollution enforcement initiatives.
EPA officials highlighted ongoing work involving PFAS treatment and destruction technologies, including granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis and emerging destruction methods such as electrochemical oxidation and plasma treatment.
The proposed rules will be published in the Federal Register and open for public comment for 60 days. EPA said a public hearing is scheduled for July 7.
For more information about the proposed rules, including pre-publication versions of the proposals, fact sheets, directions for submitting comments, and information about a forthcoming public hearing, visit EPA’s webpages here and here. Also, learn more about PFAS OUT.
