This Wednesday (April 10), the United States finalized strict restrictions on certain specific chemicals known as "forever chemicals" in drinking water, which will require water utilities to reduce them to the lowest levels that can be reliably detected. Officials say this will reduce exposure by 100 million people and help prevent thousands of diseases, including cancer.
At the same time, the rule marks the first implementation of nationwide drinking water restrictions on toxic PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and perfluoropolyalkyl substances) that are ubiquitous and persistent in the environment.
Wellness advocates praised the Environmental Protection Agency for not abandoning the strict restrictions it proposed last year, but the water utility disputed the rule, saying that the treatment system was expensive to install and that customers would end up paying more for water. The implementation of these regulations heralds a new era for water providers, signaling a prioritization of additional health standards in the United States.
Notably, the EPA also made it mandatory for water utilities to eliminate dangerous lead pipes, further underscoring its commitment to ensuring millions of people have safe access to tap water.
Water utilities have warned that compliance with these rules can involve huge costs, which can run into hundreds of billions of dollars, especially for small communities with limited resources, and the burden could be even greater. Legal challenges are expected to arise and the implementation of these provisions will face difficulties.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan called the rule the EPA's most significant action on PFAS, highlighting its potential impact on the health and well-being of communities across the country. "This outcome is a comprehensive, life-changing rule that will improve the health and vitality of many communities across the United States," he said. ”
PFAS chemicals pose a significant hazard due to their non-degradable nature and association with a variety of health problems, including low birth weight and kidney cancer. While some PFAS types have been discontinued in the United States, others persist, requiring water providers to address pollution from various industries.
The accumulation of PFAS over time has exacerbated the health risks, underscoring the urgency of strict regulations. The new regulations have a strict limit of 4 parts per trillion for two common types of PFAS: PFOA and PFOS, and 10 parts per trillion for the other three types. In addition, water providers must test for these chemicals and promptly inform the public when water quality exceeds standards. The combination of certain PFAS types will also be restricted.
Scott Belcher, a professor at North Carolina State University who studies PFAS toxicity, said. "Even if the amount of water you drink at a time in your life is small, small, small, this toxicity can accumulate and have health effects. ”
Reagan announced the rule in Fayetteville, North Carolina, emphasizing its national significance.
Environmental and health advocates applauded the rule, but criticized the slow action, pointing out that PFAS manufacturers have known the dangers of these substances for decades while concealing or downplaying the evidence. They believe that restrictions should be implemented earlier to effectively reduce exposure.
Over the past year, the EPA has regularly published utility test results for PFAS in drinking water, showing that a significant percentage of water utilities detect high levels of these chemicals. Although the Biden administration expects 6-10% of water systems to exceed the new limit, water utilities have been granted up to five years to test and install treatment systems.
While some financial assistance is available, including settlements from PFAS lawsuits and provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, water utilities claim they need more funding to meet compliance requirements. For some communities, the test results are worrying, forcing them to act quickly to address the source of the contamination. However, the prospect of installing a treatment system presents significant financial challenges, especially for small communities with limited resources.
Currently, there is optimism about the overall goal of improving water quality safety, but concerns remain about public confidence and affordability. The American Water Association supports the development of PFAS limits, but criticizes the EPA's rules for underestimating costs and lacking sufficient resources to enforce them.
Even so, work has already begun in some areas, such as Veolia, which has already implemented PFAS treatments. However, expanding these efforts to the larger community comes with logistical and financial complexities.