In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the first-ever national limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. However, the agency is now signaling a rollback of these regulations, sparking major concerns among health advocates and environmental experts.
The proposed regulatory rollback would remove existing limits on certain PFAS chemicals in drinking water and give manufacturers more time to comply with safety standards for two of the most common types of PFAS.
Environmental groups have expressed concerns about the widespread health effects if the new EPA PFAS drinking water standard is enacted. The U.S. Geological Survey found that nearly half of all tap water in the country contains PFAS.
“Today’s decision is a shameful and dangerous capitulation to industry pressure that will allow continued contamination of our drinking water with toxic PFAS. This will cost lives.”
– Mary Grant, Water Program Director at Food & Water Watch
PFAS, which are nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally, have been linked to multiple cancers and other serious health conditions.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a PFAS-related cancer, you may be eligible for compensation from a PFAS water contamination lawsuit.
New EPA PFAS Drinking Water Standards
In a major shift, the EPA is moving to weaken key parts of the first-ever national PFAS drinking water standards, about a year after they were finalized in April 2024.
The EPA plans to eliminate a combined hazard index standard meant to limit the overall amount of PFAS in drinking water. Experts warn that exposure to multiple PFAS at once can compound health risks, even if individual levels appear low.
Changes also include removing limits on three harmful, lesser-known PFAS types:
- HFPO-DA (known as GenX)
- PFHxS
- PFNA
These chemicals were originally included in the EPA’s PFAS drinking water standards due to mounting scientific evidence of their toxicity. Removing regulations on them could leave millions unprotected from exposure.
While the agency says it will keep enforceable limits for PFOA and PFOS, which are the two most studied and dangerous PFAS chemicals, it plans to delay the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031.
This 2-year delay gives water utility companies and PFAS manufacturers more time to adjust, but it also extends the timeline during which families may continue drinking contaminated water, putting their health at risk.
PFAS & Drinking Water: What You Should Know
For decades, communities across the U.S. have unknowingly been exposed to PFAS in drinking water. PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in a wide range of products since the 1940s, like nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and firefighting foam.
However, because PFAS don’t break down naturally, these chemicals can accumulate in the environment — including in the drinking water of millions of Americans. They then build up in the body, increasing the risk of health problems.
PFAS in drinking water have been linked to several cancers and illnesses:
- Bladder cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Thyroid cancer and disease
- Ulcerative colitis
While anyone drinking PFAS-contaminated water may be at risk, certain groups face higher levels of exposure. Firefighters, for instance, may encounter PFAS through foam and gear, as well as contaminated water at stations and training sites.
Many military bases have also been identified as PFAS contamination hotspots due to AFFF, putting service members and their families in harm’s way. U.S. Navy veterans may have been exposed on ships, bases, or boot camps.
Outside of occupational exposure, those who live in communities near industrial sites like chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, and landfills may have been exposed if PFAS leaked into local groundwater.
PFAS in drinking water isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a growing public health crisis.
Why PFAS Drinking Water Standards Matter
Setting national standards for PFAS in drinking water is more than a regulatory move — it’s an important step toward protecting public health and holding large corporations accountable.
Tap water is one of the most common ways people are exposed to PFAS, especially in communities near airports, industrial plants, and military bases where these chemicals are commonly released.
Without enforceable limits, many water systems may continue supplying households with PFAS-contaminated water without consequences.
PFAS drinking water standards help ensure:
- Communities are alerted when dangerous levels are detected
- Contaminated water is treated before it reaches homes and schools
- Utilities and manufacturers are held responsible for cleaning up pollution
Such standards can also create a legal framework to help victims seek justice if they’ve gotten sick after being exposed to unsafe levels of PFAS.
Weakening or delaying these protections could open the door to more contamination — putting countless families at risk. If you or a loved one has been harmed, we may be able to help.
Help for Those Affected by PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water
At Sokolove Law, our PFAS lawyers have over 45 years of experience fighting for everyday people and holding powerful corporations accountable for toxic chemical exposure.
Compensation from a PFAS settlement can help those affected cover their medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Our attorneys are ready to help families in all 50 states. There are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with us — we only get paid if you do.
Call (800) 995-1212 now or fill out our contact form to see if you may be able to pursue a PFAS water contamination settlement.
