TLDR Summary: The EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, has announced it will uphold the national drinking water limits for PFOA and PFOS—two of the most studied and dangerous PFAS chemicals—while proposing to rescind and reconsider limits for GenX, PFNA, PFHxS, and the PFAS Hazard Index mixture. The agency will also provide utilities with two additional years—until 2031—for compliance, launch the PFAS OUTreach Initiative to support small and rural systems, and pursue a “polluter pays” approach to reduce contamination at the source.
EPA Holds the Line on PFOA and PFOS—but Loosens Grip on Other PFAS
In a significant policy update released yesterday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed it will retain its enforceable limits for two major “forever chemicals” in drinking water: PFOA and PFOS. These chemicals, known for their serious health impacts, remain the focal point of the agency’s regulatory strategy.
However, regulations for four other PFAS compounds—GenX (HFPO-DA), PFNA, PFHxS, and a mixture-based Hazard Index—will be rescinded and reconsidered, pending further review under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
“We are on a path to uphold the agency’s nationwide standards to protect Americans from PFOA and PFOS in their water,” stated EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin in the EPA News Release.
What’s Changing and Why
What stays:
- Enforceable MCLs for PFOA and PFOS
- Legal support for ongoing enforcement against polluters
- Continued regulatory progress under the 2024 Final PFAS Rule
What’s under reconsideration:
- Maximum contaminant levels for GenX, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFBS
- The Hazard Index approach combining lesser-known PFAS
- Regulatory determinations for these chemicals will be reassessed to ensure legal durability and scientific rigor
Extended Compliance Timeline
To ease the burden on public water systems, the EPA also announced its intent to extend the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031. This change will:
- Give water systems more time for planning and infrastructure upgrades
- Support smaller and rural utilities facing funding and engineering constraints
- Encourage state regulators to align timelines while pursuing primacy
- This proposed rule will be released in Fall 2025, with finalization expected by Spring 2026.
New Support for Utilities: PFAS OUTreach Initiative
In tandem with the policy shift, the EPA launched PFAS OUT, a national technical assistance program that will:
- Contact every utility with known PFOA/PFOS exceedances
- Provide support for funding, design, public engagement, and treatment strategies
- Deliver free WaterTA (Technical Assistance) services to help with compliance and capital planning
The goal? No community left behind.
“This commonsense decision provides additional time… and ensures water systems have the resources and support they need,” said Matthew Holmes, CEO, National Rural Water Association.
Holding Polluters Accountable
The EPA emphasized a strong “polluter pays” principle as a core component of this strategy. Since water systems are passive receivers of PFAS – often downstream from industrial dischargers – the agency is:
- Advancing wastewater Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) for upstream PFAS contributors
- Supporting litigation efforts to hold polluters financially accountable
- Pursuing a liability framework to prevent water systems from passing contamination costs to consumers
Looking Ahead: A Balanced Approach
Administrator Zeldin’s announcement seeks to balance environmental protection, legal compliance, and practical timelines for implementation – especially in underserved regions. By anchoring the policy in PFOA and PFOS enforcement while reevaluating lesser-known PFAS compounds, the EPA aims to make durable, defensible progress on a deeply complex issue.
“EPA is following the science, the law, and the reality on the ground for small and rural systems,” said Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the State Drinking Water Administrators.
How SPL Can Help
SPL supports drinking water systems across the Mid-Atlantic in identifying, quantifying, and navigating PFAS compliance. Our team offers:
- PFAS panel testing (including PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and more)
- Local expertise on funding and regulatory changes
- Fast turnaround times and defensible, NELAP Accredited data.
👉 Need help understanding your PFAS results or preparing for the 2031 deadline? Contact us today to speak with one of our compliance specialists.