Ever since the PFAS Action Plan of 2019 was released by the U.S. EPA, the world of PFAS contamination, testing, and regulation has been moving forward at breakneck speed. To help Pace^® customers stay up to date, we’ve started compiling the news and developments we think should be on everyone’s radar.

Anyone who’s read the EPA’s Strategic Plans for 2021-2024 knows the agency has big plans for PFAS over the next few years. In this post, we’ll take a look back at 2021, revisiting the actions called for by the Strategic Plan as well as those executed earlier in the year.

Once UCMR 5 goes into effect in 2023, ALL public water systems serving more than 3300 people plus 800 randomly selected smaller water systems will need to begin testing for 29 PFAS (and Lithium). That is, if EPA leaves its current UCMR 5 proposal unchanged before it finalizes the rule. It’s also likely that, before UCMR 5 sampling starts in 2023, PFOA and PFOS will have federally enforceable MCLs (Maximum Contaminant Limits) for all water systems under the SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act).