EPA PFAS DRINKING WATER STANDARDS ANNOUNCEMENT
For Immediate Release
Columbia, SC – April 10, 2024 –The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced legally enforceable national drinking water standards for certain PFAS family of chemicals that are part of a group called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The newly established drinking water standards, also called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for PFOA and PFOS of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) individually, and 10.0 ppt for three other PFAS compounds, along with a Hazard Index of 1 (unitless) for mixtures containing two or more of these four: PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.
While these drinking water standards do not take effect for five years, Columbia Water wants our customers to be informed about the EPA’s regulatory process and the steps we are taking to comply.
Columbia Water has proactively tested for PFAS compounds since 2020 and those results can be found here: www.columbiascwater.net/pfas.
PFAS are released into the environment by the manufacture and use of products that include PFAS compounds. These chemicals have been used by manufacturers to impart stain- and water-resistant properties on products like carpet, textiles, food package and clothing items.
Columbia Water will be actively reviewing this new regulatory development and will continue to proactively pursue ways to meet the new EPA requirements through further testing for PFAS, collaboration with our state and federal regulatory agencies and scientific community regarding advancements, and evaluating potential legal action to require compensation from polluters for treatment costs to remove PFAS. More information about the regulation can be found here: www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
Columbia Water has been protecting the public health of the Columbia community for over 115 years, and that mission has not and will not change. We will continue to be transparent with our customers throughout the process and offer updates as they become available.
For more information, please visit our website at www.columbiascwater.net/pfas.
For any press inquiries please contact [email protected].