The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) reaffirmed its commitment to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), by announcing it will create effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) and establish a clear liability framework that ensures polluters pay and parties impacted by PFAS are protected. USEPA also said it will provide a toolbox that will help States and communities dealing with PFAS contamination.
The steps announced by USEPA in late April include:
- Implement PFAS testing strategy under Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 4
- Develop ELGs for PFAS manufacturers and metal finishers and evaluate other ELGs necessary for reduction of PFAS discharges
- Address the most significant compliance challenges related to national primary drinking water regulations for certain PFAS
- Add PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)
- Enforce Clean Water Act and TSCA limitations on PFAS use and release to prevent further contamination
- Use Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authority to investigate and address immediate endangerment
- Prioritize risk-based review of new and existing PFAS chemicals
- Provide more frequent updates to the PFAS Destruction and Disposal Guidance—changing from every three years to annually as USEPA continues to assess the effectiveness of available treatment technologies
- Ramp up the development of testing methods to improve detection and strategies to address PFAS
- Advance remediation and cleanup efforts where drinking water supplies are impacted by PFAS contamination
- Work with States to assess risks from PFAS contamination and the development of analytical and risk assessment tools
- Finish public comment period for biosolids risk assessment and determine path forward based on comments
- Provide assistance to States and Tribes on enforcement efforts
The Update team will continue to monitor PFAS regulatory developments. To access additional AE2S perspectives and insights about PFAS, visit our website.