Strict New Limits On Water Chemicals Announced: See MA Impacts

MASSACHUSETTS — In an extraordinary move Wednesday, the federal government imposed strict new limits on “forever chemicals” in public water systems, a costly undertaking for some state's local water utilities that many say will ultimately fall on the backs of taxpayers.

This may be less of an issue for Massachusetts, one of the first states to set acceptable PFAS limits and require testing for PFAS in drinking water. That new rule began in early 2021, and led to scores of towns across the state discovering PFAS levels higher than the new state standard. Towns that have discovered high PFAS levels have moved to install new filters or seek new water sources.

The Environmental Protection Agency mandate requires that the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known collectively as PFAS, be reduced to near-zero levels. The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, which are widespread, long-lasting in the environment and have been linked to cancer and a host of other health problems.

They’re ubiquitous, found in everything from food packaging and cookware to dental floss and other personal care items to children’s toys and firefighting foams.

At least 45 percent of U.S. water systems have one or more types of PFAS chemicals, according to a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey. In Massachusetts, PFAS have been found in public water systems at these locations:

• Barnes Air National Guard Base
• Westover Air Reserve Base
• Fort Devens
• 54 Richardson Road in Chelmsford
• Precision Coating Facility in Hudson
• Bedford Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant
• Hanscom Air Force Base
• Springvale H&T Water Treatment Plant
• Naval Air Station South Weymouth
• Rehoboth National Guard Site
• Joint Base Cape Cod
• Martha's Vineyard Airport
• Nantucket Memorial Airport

Health advocates praised the Environmental Protection Agency for not backing away from tough limits the agency proposed last year. But water utilities took issue with the rule, saying treatment systems are expensive to install and that customers will end up paying more for water.

Water providers are entering a new era with significant additional health standards that the EPA says will make tap water safer for millions of consumers — a Biden administration priority. The agency has also proposed forcing utilities to remove dangerous lead pipes.

Utility groups warn the rules will cost tens of billions of dollars each and fall hardest on small communities with fewer resources. Legal challenges are sure to follow.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan says the rule is the most important action the EPA has ever taken on PFAS.

“The result is a comprehensive and life-changing rule, one that will improve the health and vitality of so many communities across our country,” Regan said.

Environmental and health advocates praised the rule, but said PFAS manufacturers knew decades ago the substances were dangerous yet hid or downplayed the evidence. Limits should have come sooner, they argue.

"Reducing PFAS in our drinking water is the most cost effective way to reduce our exposure," said Scott Faber, a food and water expert at Environmental Working Group. "It's much more challenging to reduce other exposures such as PFAS in food or clothing or carpets."

Over the last year, EPA has periodically released batches of utility test results for PFAS in drinking water. Roughly 16 percent of utilities found at least one of the two strictly limited PFAS chemicals at or above the new limits. These utilities serve tens of millions of people. The Biden administration, however, expects about 6 percent to 10 percent of water systems to exceed the new limits.

Water providers will generally have three years to do testing. If those tests exceed the limits, they'll have two more years to install treatment systems, according to EPA officials.

Some funds are available to help utilities. Manufacturer 3M recently agreed to pay more than $10 billion to drinking water providers to settle PFAS litigation. And the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes billions to combat the substance. But utilities say more will be needed.

The EPA has dramatically shifted its health guidance for forever chemicals in recent years as more research into its health harms has emerged. Less than a decade ago, the EPA issued a health advisory that PFOA and PFOS levels combined shouldn't exceed 70 parts per trillion. Now, the agency says no amount is safe.

Public alarm has increased, too.

In Minnesota, for example, Amara's Law aims to stop avoidable PFAS use. It's been nearly a year since the law's namesake, Amara Strande, died from a rare cancer her family blames on PFAS contamination by 3M near her high school in Oakdale, although a connection between PFAS and her cancer can't be proven.

Losing Amara pushed the family towards activism. They've testified multiple times in favor of PFAS restrictions.

“Four parts per trillion, we couldn't ask for a better standard,” Amara's sister Nora said. “It’s a very ambitious goal, but anything higher than that is endangering lives.”

The Associated Press contributed reporting.