EPA Will Uphold Limits on 2 ‘Forever Chemicals’ While Rescinding Rules on Others

Public drinking water systems will have more time to draft compliance plans to address PFOA and PFOS.

Water from a tap fills a glass in San Anselmo, Calif., on July 6, 2023. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on May 14 that it will keep current drinking water regulations on two “forever chemicals” but will roll back rules on several others.

A rule finalized last year by the EPA under the Biden administration set limits for five individual PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. It gave all public water systems three years to complete monitoring for these chemicals and requires them to inform the public of the level of PFAS in their drinking water.