EPA announced two proposed rules related to PFAS in drinking water, including one that would maintain federal drinking water standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) while giving eligible drinking water systems a process to request more time to comply.

Under the first proposal, eligible systems could apply for up to two additional years, moving the compliance deadline for enforceable PFOA and PFOS limits to 2031. EPA said the extension would not be automatic. Systems would need to affirmatively seek the extension and meet criteria set out in the final rule, while systems that do not opt in would remain subject to the original 2029 compliance deadline.

A second proposed rule would rescind and reconsider drinking water regulations for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX chemicals), and the hazard index for mixtures of those three PFAS plus perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS). EPA said the proposal is intended to address legal concerns related to the Safe Drinking Water Act regulatory process.

EPA said the two proposed rules will be published in the Federal Register with a 60-day public comment period. The agency also plans to hold a public hearing July 7, 2026.

The agency also announced nearly $1 billion in grant funding to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant program.

Sources: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas, https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-advances-comprehensive-pfas-strategy-legally-defensible-practical-scientifically