National PFAS Wastewater Survey Remains Pending at OMB
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A proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study of industrial per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances discharges remains pending at the White House Office of Management and Budget nearly two years after it was submitted for approval.
EPA submitted the information collection request for its Publicly Owned Treatment Works Influent PFAS Study and National Sewage Sludge Survey on Oct. 17, 2024. OMB’s public Reginfo record continues to list the request as “Received in OIRA,” referring to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, with no control number or approval posted.
The Associated Press reported that former EPA officials described the extended review as having stalled the study. EPA and OMB did not respond to the news organization’s requests for comment. The procedural record establishes that the request remains unapproved but does not identify the reason for the delay.
Under EPA’s proposed design, approximately 400 publicly owned treatment works would complete a mandatory electronic questionnaire. The agency would then select 200 to 300 treatment plants for sampling, including wastewater from approximately 2,000 industrial users.
Samples would be analyzed for individual PFAS compounds and adsorbable organic fluorine. EPA said the resulting data would help identify and prioritize industrial point-source categories where further study or regulation of PFAS discharges may be warranted.
The current study is not limited to coatings facilities. However, EPA’s earlier multi-industry PFAS work identified protective coatings, resin production, coating operations and metal finishing among industrial activities where PFAS may be used or discharged.
The pending request does not establish a new discharge limit, reporting requirement or compliance deadline. Mandatory questionnaires and sampling cannot begin under the proposed program until the information collection receives federal approval.
Primary sources: EPA’s POTW Influent PFAS Study page and OMB’s information collection record
Supporting reporting: Associated Press coverage of the review delay
The study is relevant to PCI readers following regulations that could affect PFAS wastewater data collection and future industrial discharge controls.
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