The EPA rescinded and is reconsidering the regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA, four of the six PFAS types previously limited by regulations.
In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals.’ Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.
Last week, the EPA announced that some of those regulations, specifically those that limited levels of PFHxS, PFNA, PFBS, and HFPO-DA, would be rescinded and reconsidered. Regulations limiting PFOA and PFOS will still remain in place. Additionally, EPA plans to develop a rulemaking to provide additional time for compliance, including a proposal to extend the compliance date to 2031.
PFAS OUT
To enhance engagement on addressing PFAS, EPA will launch PFAS OUT to connect with every public water utility known to need capital improvements to address PFAS in their systems, including those EPA has identified as having PFOA and PFOS levels above EPA’s MCL. EPA will share resources, tools, funding, and technical assistance to help utilities meet the federal drinking water standards. PFAS OUT will ensure that no community is left behind as we work to protect public health and bring utilities into compliance with federal drinking water standards. PFAS OUT will engage utilities, technical assistance providers and local, State, Tribal, and Territorial leaders to develop effective, practical solutions where they are needed most.
EPA will continue to offer free water technical assistance (WaterTA) that provides services to water systems to improve their drinking water and help communities access available funding. EPA’s WaterTA initiatives work with water systems nationwide to identify affordable solutions to assess and address PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS. Services offered to utilities include water quality testing, development of technical plans, operator training support, designing public engagement and outreach strategies, and support for accessing federal funding opportunities.
What This Means in Maryland
While the federal government may be easing its initial push to remove PFAS from drinking water, the General Assembly and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) have shown active interest in responding more aggressively to this growing issue. SB732/HB909 garnered significant attention as it aimed to limit PFAS concentrations in sewage sludge, and while the legislation did not pass, there are already conversations about an even more ambitious package of PFAS bills for the 2026 legislative session. For its part, MDE is also exploring what regulatory tools it has at its disposal to limit PFAS in areas under its jurisdiction.
