The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was added as an amendment to the Clean Water Act in 1972. Although PFAS testing is not yet mandated nationwide through the NPDES program, the U.S. EPA released guidance to the states in late 2022, recommending that state administrators consider adding PFAS in wastewater (and later stormwater and biosolids) to their NPDES permits.  

Late summer is often a slow time for regulatory agencies and state legislatures. State legislatures often take a break, and those serving in D.C. spend the weeks-long congressional recess to spend time with constituents back in their home districts. Nevertheless, a few notable PFAS actions have occurred over the last few weeks. In this month’s PFAS News and Views, we cover these important stories plus call out a couple of actions that did not make the cut in previous issues.

It seems we are all waiting and watching for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish its final rule on PFAS in drinking water. The agency said they expected to publish in February of 2024. However, at a recent gathering in Eau Claire, WI, EPA Administrator Michael Reagan said the agency is committed to finalizing the rule before the end of the year.

On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, USEPA proposed the first-ever National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) for PFAS. In this edition of Pace® News and Views, we provide some thoughts on the proposed rule and catch up on some other important PFAS developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.