EPA Weakens PFAS Drinking Water Rules, Rescinds Four Chemical Limits

The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has decided to maintain enforceable drinking water standards for two key PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, upholding limits set by the Biden administration to protect public health. However, the agency plans to delay compliance deadlines and rescind regulations on four other PFAS chemicals, signaling a shift aimed at balancing health protections with implementation challenges faced by small and rural water systems. This move follows legal and industry pushback against stringent Biden-era PFAS regulations, with water utilities welcoming extended compliance timelines due to the high costs and technical difficulties of filtering these contaminants. While the EPA emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding Americans from harmful PFAS exposure and holding polluters accountable, the rollback of some limits has raised concerns among environmental advocates. PFAS chemicals, widely used in everyday products and linked to serious health risks including cancers and developmental issues, remain a critical public health concern nationwide. Administrator Zeldin framed the agency's approach as providing "common-sense flexibility" while upholding key protections for the two most scrutinized PFAS substances.