On May 14, 2025, the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) made a significant announcement regarding drinking water standards for PFAS, a group of harmful chemicals found in various consumer products and known to pose serious health risks. While the E.P.A. decided to maintain regulatory limits on two specific PFAS chemicals—PFOA and PFOS—it also proposed to delay deadlines for utilities to comply with these standards and to rescind restrictions on four other PFAS variants.
Trump Administration Eases Regulations on PFAS in Drinking Water
Trump Administration Eases Regulations on PFAS in Drinking Water
The E.P.A. upholds limits on two key PFAS chemicals while rolling back restrictions on four others as water safety standards are adjusted.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are often dubbed “forever chemicals” due to their resilience and persistence in the environment. Research has linked these substances to several health issues, including infertility, developmental problems in children, and various types of cancer.
The Biden administration initially mandated that drinking water utilities reduce the presence of six types of PFAS to levels approaching zero. This included setting a strict limit of four parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS. In contrast, the Trump administration's recent changes indicate a relaxed approach, allowing a two-year extension for compliance with these standards, extending the deadline to 2031. Furthermore, it has chosen to eliminate existing limits on four additional PFAS chemicals.
E.P.A. Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the agency's commitment to maintaining national standards meant to safeguard public health regarding PFOA and PFOS while also promising "common-sense flexibility" in compliance timelines. He underscored that the agency will continue to exercise its regulatory powers to hold those responsible for pollution accountable.
The Biden administration initially mandated that drinking water utilities reduce the presence of six types of PFAS to levels approaching zero. This included setting a strict limit of four parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS. In contrast, the Trump administration's recent changes indicate a relaxed approach, allowing a two-year extension for compliance with these standards, extending the deadline to 2031. Furthermore, it has chosen to eliminate existing limits on four additional PFAS chemicals.
E.P.A. Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the agency's commitment to maintaining national standards meant to safeguard public health regarding PFOA and PFOS while also promising "common-sense flexibility" in compliance timelines. He underscored that the agency will continue to exercise its regulatory powers to hold those responsible for pollution accountable.
