EPA’s Final Regulations with Compliance Timeline
On April 10th the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever national drinking water standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While the Advisory Board recognizes the potential health benefits, it also has concerns regarding the practical implications of these new regulations on our communities.
Compliance Timeline:
The EPA has established a phased-in approach for compliance with the new PFAS regulations. Here’s a breakdown of the key milestones:
Within three years of rule promulgation (2024 – 2027):
- Initial monitoring for PFAS must be completed by public water suppliers.
Starting three years following rule promulgation (2027 – 2029):
- Results of the initial monitoring must be included in Consumer Confidence Reports (i.e., Annual Water Quality Report).
- Regular monitoring for compliance with the new standards must begin.
- Results of this ongoing monitoring must also be included in Consumer Confidence Reports.
- Public notification for any violations identified during monitoring and testing.
Starting five years following rule promulgation (starting 2029):
- Public water suppliers must be in full compliance with all established Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS.
- Public notification for any violations of the MCLs.
Important Note:
It’s important to be aware that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) may set a compliance date for these PFAS regulations sooner than the EPA’s national deadline.
MWRA Water Source Exceeds Existing and Upcoming Standards
The MWRA Advisory Board is pleased to confirm that MWRA’s well-protected source water reservoirs continue to meet the highest standards for PFAS levels. In fact, our testing has shown no quantifiable levels of the four PFAS compounds regulated by both the EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Testing of the other four PFAS compounds regulated by either the EPA or MassDEP likewise found no quantifiable levels of these chemicals.
Previously Established Standards
It’s important to clarify that MassDEP had already set a stringent standard of 20 parts per trillion (ppt) for the sum of these six PFAS (called PFAS6) in October 2020. MWRA consistently meets and surpasses this standard, with all sampling results showing zero for the combined level of these six PFAS. This means minimal impact is expected for fully served communities receiving water solely from the MWRA system.
Meeting New EPA Regulations
We are confident that MWRA will also easily meet the new EPA standards for each of the six PFAS compounds they will be regulating. These standards align closely with the existing MassDEP regulations, ensuring continued protection for our communities. The new EPA regulations require MWRA and other public drinking water sources to comply with the new rule within five years.
Partially Served MWRA Communities Need to Stay Informed
However, we recognize that some communities receive only a portion of their water from the MWRA. These communities may be more impacted by the new regulations, depending on their local water sources. We encourage our partially served communities to stay up-to-date on any new information on PFAS testing and any potential actions they may need to take.
The MWRA Advisory Board remains committed to:
- Keeping all communities informed: We will continue to provide updates on PFAS and drinking water regulations.
- Advocating for clear guidance: We will work with relevant authorities to ensure clear and consistent guidance for all communities.
- Supporting continued compliance: We are committed to supporting MWRA in maintaining its exceptional record of providing safe drinking water.
Moving Forward with Confidence
The MWRA Advisory Board is confident in MWRA’s ability to deliver safe drinking water that meets or surpasses all existing and upcoming PFAS regulations. We remain committed to transparency and collaboration as we navigate these important public health developments.
