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.

Where PFAS chemicals exceed the standards, the water systems are required to install systems to reduce PFAS in their drinking water by 2029.

PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don’t easily break down in the human body or in the environment, and they’ve been linked to a range of health issues such as liver problems, certain forms of cancer, fertility issues, and more. The products are often used in nonstick pans, firefighting products, cleaning products, water-resistant fabrics, and other consumer items.

The new proposal under the Trump administration, the EPA said on May 14, would allow public drinking water systems to have more time to come up with plans to address PFOA (perfluoroctonoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid), extending the date to comply with those rules to 2031.

It would also rescind the regulations and reconsider the regulatory determinations for the other PFAS chemicals, according to the agency, which added that it is planning to issue a proposed rule on the chemicals this fall and finalize it by spring 2026.

“We are on a path to uphold the agency’s nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water,“ EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement. ”At the same time, we will work to provide common-sense flexibility in the form of additional time for compliance.”

“[The new plan] will support water systems across the country, including small systems in rural communities, as they work to address these contaminants. EPA will also continue to use its regulatory and enforcement tools to hold polluters accountable.”

The EPA has estimated that more than 158 million Americans are exposed to PFAS via drinking water.

Multiple water utility companies, as well as the American Water Works Association and the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, sued the Biden-era EPA in 2024. A news release said the federal agency did not “adequately consider comments filed by the organizations and other stakeholders” when it came up with the rule to limit PFAS.

“EPA did not use the best available data and appropriate processes in developing the PFAS regulation,” the organizations said at the time.

Also in the May 14 announcement, the EPA said it will launch a campaign called PFAS OUT to connect with certain public water utilities to address the chemicals in drinking water systems.

Separately, New Jersey officials this week announced a PFAS settlement of $450 million with chemical manufacturer 3M to resolve several lawsuits. The officials described the settlement as the largest of its kind in the state.

Reuters contributed to this report.