EPA proposes new standards to protect communities from ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan came to Wilmington to announce proposed regulations to make drinking water safer.

The National Primary Drinking Water Regulation would establish legally enforceable levels, called Maximum Contaminant Levels,  for six PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in drinking water.

The proposed rule would also regulate GenX chemicals, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFBS to determine if the combined levels of these forever chemicals would pose a potential risk to human health.

The NCDEQ has been working with public water systems to prepare for the proposed regulation and assess PFAS levels in drinking water systems across the state.

“North Carolina has been leading efforts to address forever chemicals in our drinking water and today’s EPA announcement provides additional federal support and a roadmap for the public water systems in our state,” said Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser. “Having clear direction on national drinking water standards supports DEQ’s work with public water systems to protect the people of North Carolina.”

The proposed rule would also require public water systems to:

• Monitor for these PFAS
• Notify the public of the levels of these PFAS
• Reduce the levels of these PFAS in drinking water if they exceed the proposed standards

Regan says the proposed national standard has been put together by the best available science, and would help provide states with the guidance they need to make decisions that protect their communities and prevent PFAS-related illnesses .

“When finalized, this proposed regulation will require public water systems to monitor these chemicals. It will also require systems to notify the public and reduce the level of the PFAS as prescribed. Folks, this is a tremendous step forward in the right direction,” said Michael Regan, EPA administrator.

EPA anticipates finalizing the regulation by the end of 2023. EPA expects that if fully implemented, the rule will prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses.

PFAS are a large family of synthetic chemicals that have been in use since the 1940s. Many of these compounds have unique physical and chemical properties that make them highly stable and resistant to degradation in the environment—colloquially termed “forever chemicals.” A prime example is GenX, which was found in the Cape Fear River in 2017 and tied to the Chemours facility in Fayetteville.

PFAS have been found in the air, drinking water, and food, and are linked to cancer and other severe health problems.

Rebecca Trammel, a Wilmington native and resident said she was shocked to learn about the toxic chemical in the Cape Fear River, leading her to join Clean Cape Fear in their efforts to get clean drinking water.

“Oh, I was infuriated. I was infuriated, –I couldn’t believe that our water wasn’t safe. It looks clean, but it’s not safe,” said Rebecca Trammel, Wilmington resident.

Those in attendance for the announcement were pleased with the EPA’s proposed rule.

“These are strong, strong, regulations. That said, this type of regulation does not hold polluters accountable. It does put the burden on the community, and the utilities to pay for upgrades, but these are the starts that need to happen, to push the other actions along, right. So, this is a absolutely crucial step in this colossal fight that we have,” said Dana Sargent, Cape Fear River Watch executive director.

“I’m just glad to hear that our government is working for the people,” said Trammel.

In addition to Regan, Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, North Carolina Department Of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser, and Community Activist Emily Donovan with Clean Cape Fear spoke in support of the proposed rule.

“No one should ever wonder if the PFAS in their tap water will one day make them sick,” said Emily Donovan, Clean Cape Fear co-founder.

The proposed rule will go up for public comment, and Regan says he plans to have the rule finalized by the end of this year.

Once the proposed EPA rule becomes final, public water systems will have three years to comply with the regulation. More information on the EPA announcement and how to provide public comment is available here.