The Biden administration on Wednesday finalized strict limits on certain so-called “permanent chemicals” in drinking water, requiring utilities to reduce chemicals to the lowest levels that can be reliably measured. Officials say this will lead to 100 million fewer infections and prevent thousands of diseases, including cancer.
This rule is the first national drinking water restriction on PFAS, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are widespread and long-lasting toxic in the environment.
Health advocates praised the Environmental Protection Agency for not reversing tougher restrictions it proposed last year. But water utilities challenged the rule, saying treatment systems were expensive to install and customers would end up paying more for their water.
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Water utilities are ushering in a new era with significant additional sanitary standards that the EPA says will make tap water safer for millions of consumers and a priority for the Biden administration. This is a matter of concern. The agency also proposes forcing power companies to remove dangerous lead pipes.
Utility groups have warned that the rules would each cost tens of billions of dollars and would have the greatest impact on small communities with fewer resources. Legal challenges are sure to follow.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the rule is the most significant action the agency has ever taken against PFAS.
“The result is comprehensive, life-changing rules that will improve the health and vitality of many communities across our country,” Regan said.
Water researcher Eva Stiebel pours water samples into small glass containers for experiments as part of her drinking water and PFAS research at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response in Cincinnati on February 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)
PFAS chemicals are dangerous because they do not break down in the environment and have been linked to health problems such as low birth weight and kidney cancer. These are used in everyday items such as nonstick pots, fire extinguishers, and waterproof clothing. Some of the most common types are being phased out in the United States, while others remain. Water utilities will now have to remove pollutants released into the environment by other industries.
“The problem is the accumulation,” said Scott Belcher, a professor at North Carolina State University who studies PFAS toxicity. “Every time you drink water throughout your life, even if it’s just a little, a little, a little, the amount continues to increase, leading to health effects.”
PFAS are a broad group of chemicals, and the new rules set strict limits of 1 part per trillion for two common types called PFOA and PFOS. Three others, including GenEx Chemicals, which is a big problem in North Carolina, are limited to 1 in 10 trillion. Water utilities must test for these PFAS chemicals and notify the public if levels are too high. Some of his PFAS type combinations are also restricted.
Regan is scheduled to announce the rules Wednesday in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
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Environmental and health advocates applauded the rule, but PFAS manufacturers have known for decades that the substances are dangerous and are hiding or downplaying the evidence. said. The breaking point should have come sooner, they argue.
“Reducing PFAS in drinking water is the most cost-effective way to reduce our exposure,” said Scott Faber, food and water expert with the Environmental Working Group. “Reducing other exposures, such as PFAS in foods, clothing, carpets, etc., is much more difficult.”
Over the past year, the EPA has been regularly releasing utility test results for PFAS in drinking water. Approximately 16% of utilities were found to have levels at or above the new limits for at least one of the two highly restricted PFAS chemicals. These utilities serve tens of millions of people. But the Biden administration expects about 6% to 10% of water systems to exceed the new limits.
Water utilities typically have a three-year testing period. If those tests exceed the limits, EPA officials say they will have two more years to install a treatment system.
There are also funds available to support public utilities. Manufacturer 3M recently agreed to pay drinking water suppliers more than $10 billion to settle PFAS lawsuits. And the bipartisan infrastructure bill includes billions of dollars to combat the substance. But the utility claims it will need more money.
For some communities, the test results were surprising. Last June, a suburban Philadelphia power company that serves about 9,000 people learned that one of its wells had PFOA levels of 1:235 trillion, the highest in the country at the time. .
“Obviously it was a shock,” said Joseph Hastings, joint public works director for the Collegeville and Trapp districts, whose job is to solve problems posed by the new regulations.
The well was quickly drained and taken offline, but Hastings still doesn’t know the source of the contamination. Several other wells exceeded the EPA’s new limits, but were lower than the limits previously set by Pennsylvania. Currently, Hastings says installing a treatment system can be a multi-million dollar effort, which can be a big expense for a small customer base.
Mike McGill, president of water industry communications firm WaterPIO, said the new regulations “will disrupt public confidence in drinking water.”
The American Water Works Association, an industry group, says it supports establishing limits on PFAS in drinking water, but says there are major problems with the EPA’s rules.
The association said the high costs were underestimated and could not be justified in areas with low PFAS levels, which would result in higher water bills for customers. In addition, there is a shortage of professionals and workers, and the supply of filtration media is limited.
Construction has started in some places. Veolia operates utilities serving approximately 2.3 million people in six eastern states and manages water systems for millions more. Veolia built his PFAS treatment for a small water system serving about 150,000 people. But the company expects to need treatment at about 50 more facilities, and he is working to scale up efforts to reduce PFAS in the larger communities it serves.
These efforts were made in response to the dramatic changes in the EPA’s health guidance regarding PFAS in recent years as research into the health hazards caused by PFAS has progressed. Less than a decade ago, the EPA issued a health advisory that combined levels of PFOA and PFOS should not exceed 70 parts per trillion. Currently, government agencies say no amount is safe.
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The public’s sense of caution is also increasing. In Minnesota, for example, Amara’s Law is aimed at deterring avoidable uses of PFAS. It’s been nearly a year since Amara Strand, the law’s namesake, died from a rare cancer that her family blames on PFAS contamination by 3M near Oakdale High School. However, the link between PFAS and her cancer has not been proven. Biden administration officials say no community should suffer as Oakdale did. 3M said it extends its deepest condolences to Amara’s friends and family.
Amara’s loss spurred the family into action. They have testified repeatedly in support of PFAS limits.
Amara’s sister Nora said, “Four trillionths of a trillion, you can’t ask for a better standard.” “This is a very ambitious goal, but exceeding it puts lives at risk.”
