Legislation introduced in the Senate on April 30 aims to improve research into the human health effects of PFAS and other unregulated contaminants that may be found in drinking water. Sponsored by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio), the bill is based on a 2017 proposal that was created with the input of AMWA and other water sector stakeholders.
Like the earlier version of the bill, this year’s Safe Drinking Water Assistance Act (S. 1251) would not impose any new screening requirements for emerging contaminants on water systems or states, nor would it establish any new regulatory mandates. Instead the bill would:
- Direct EPA to review current federal efforts to monitor and develop treatment methods for emerging contaminants. EPA would be required to work with states, water utilities and other stakeholders to develop a strategic plan for improving these ongoing federal activities.
- Establish an interagency working group led by EPA and the Department of Health and Human Services and tasked with improving federal efforts to identify and respond to emerging contaminants.
- Create a National Emerging Contaminant Research Initiative to improve the identification, analysis and treatment methods for emerging contaminants.
- Direct EPA to develop an assistance program to aid states that are in need of improved testing facilities to enable adequate screening of emerging contaminants in drinking water samples. EPA could spend up to $15 million per year to support this assistance program.
In a statement, Sen. Shaheen said the bill would ensure “transparency and accountability at every level of government to keep our water supplies clean.” While the bill does not target PFAS specifically, sponsors have made clear that the proposal could be used to further research into the treatment for, and human health effects of, those substances.
AMWA has agreed to support the legislation again this year, based on the association’s support for expending research into drinking water contaminants. On May 16, AMWA led a group of ten water and infrastructure sector organizations in writing a letter of support on the bill. According to Senate staff, the Environment and Public Works Committee could consider the bill in the coming months as part of a package of multiple PFAS-related proposals.