In response to EPA’s release of its Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan, the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) would like to reiterate its support of the process outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act for regulating contaminants. Both PFOA and PFOS have been included in the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) since CCL3 and have been monitored at drinking water utilities through subsequent Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rules. The next step in the development of a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) is for the EPA administrator to make a determination that the regulation of these chemicals presents a meaningful opportunity for health risk reductions for persons served by public water systems. AMWA encourages the use of sound science and continued transparency as the agency considers this determination and looks forward to the agency’s decision by the end of this year.
AMWA also supports EPA’s plans to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances and move to develop interim groundwater cleanup recommendations so that polluters take responsibility for contamination of water sources with these chemicals. AMWA also supports EPA’s plans to develop new analytical methods and tools. AMWA’s members are committed to protecting public health and look forward to working with EPA throughout this process.