State commission once again delays implementation of new PFAS water standards

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The NC Environmental Management Commission has once again declined to start the rulemaking process to keep “forever chemicals” like GenX out of groundwater and surface waters.

In April the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted new federal drinking water standards for the first time for some PFAS. While the EPA doesn’t set surface water and groundwater standards, it expects states to set standards once a federal drinking water standard is finalized.

At their May meeting, the Environmental Management Commission postponed implementation of new PFAS water standards. Some commissioners said an analysis—known as a Fiscal Note—evaluating state and local expenditures associated with implementing the new standards was not provided.

On July 11, the groundwater and waste management committee of the Environmental Management Commission declined to move the proposal out of committee again. The groundwater committee asked the Department of Environmental Quality to drop five of the manmade chemicals from the proposed regulations.

“It would be comical if it wasn’t so dangerous for our population listening to these meetings,” says Cape Fear River Watch Executive Director Dana Sargent. “It was pathetic, really; extremely disingenuous and disheartening and offensive to the people who have been affected by these chemicals, which is this entire region.”

The EMC will meet again for their next regular meeting on September 12.