PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act Seeks to Protect Americans From Contaminated Drinking Water

New Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Preserve Federal Limits on PFAS Chemicals as Regulatory Changes and Compliance Delays Generate Public Health Concerns

What Parker Waichman LLP Found

• The PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act seeks to preserve EPA’s 2024 PFAS drinking water protections.
• The legislation would maintain the 4.0 parts per trillion standard for PFOA and PFOS.
• EPA has proposed delaying compliance deadlines for certain PFAS standards until 2031.
• PFAS contamination has been identified in drinking water systems across the United States.
• Individuals exposed to contaminated drinking water may have legal rights depending on the circumstances of their exposure.

PFAS Contamination Remains One of the Most Significant Drinking Water Issues in the United States

For decades, millions of Americans have unknowingly consumed drinking water containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. These synthetic chemicals have been used in thousands of consumer products and industrial applications because they resist heat, grease, oil, and water. Their durability made them attractive to manufacturers, but that same durability has created one of the largest environmental and public health challenges facing communities across the country.

PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they do not readily break down in the environment. Once released into groundwater, rivers, lakes, and municipal water systems, these chemicals can remain present for years or even decades. Scientific research has found PFAS contamination in public water supplies, private wells, military installations, manufacturing sites, airports, and numerous communities throughout the United States.

Growing evidence has linked PFAS exposure to serious health concerns, leading federal regulators to take unprecedented action in recent years. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the first nationwide drinking water standards for several PFAS compounds. Those standards represented a major shift in federal drinking water policy and were intended to reduce long-term exposure to chemicals that many health researchers believe pose significant risks to human health.

Now, a new bipartisan proposal known as the PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act seeks to preserve and codify those protections at a time when regulatory changes are being considered.

Understanding PFAS and Why They Are Called “Forever Chemicals”

PFAS are a large family of man-made chemicals characterized by an extremely strong carbon-fluorine bond. This bond is one of the strongest chemical bonds found in nature. As a result, PFAS resist degradation from sunlight, water, heat, and natural environmental processes.

Manufacturers have used PFAS in a wide variety of products, including:

• Nonstick cookware
• Waterproof clothing
• Food packaging
• Firefighting foam
• Industrial coatings
• Stain-resistant fabrics
• Cleaning products
• Electronics manufacturing

While these chemicals provided practical benefits for industry and consumers, their widespread use resulted in extensive environmental contamination.

When PFAS enter the environment, they can migrate into groundwater and drinking water sources. Unlike many contaminants that eventually degrade, PFAS often remain intact and continue accumulating over time.

Researchers have also found that PFAS can build up inside the human body. Repeated exposure through drinking water, food, consumer products, and environmental sources can lead to increasing concentrations in blood and tissues.

The persistence of these chemicals has generated concern among scientists, environmental organizations, public health officials, and lawmakers seeking to reduce exposure risks for future generations.

The 2024 EPA Drinking Water Rule Marked a Historic Change

In 2024, the EPA finalized a landmark regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act establishing nationwide Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for certain PFAS compounds.

Among the most significant provisions was the establishment of a Maximum Contaminant Level of 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS, two of the most widely studied PFAS chemicals.

A concentration measured in parts per trillion represents an extraordinarily small amount of contamination. The EPA adopted this strict threshold because scientific evidence indicated that even very low levels of PFAS exposure may create health concerns over time.

The rule also established standards for several additional PFAS compounds and mixtures, creating the first enforceable federal drinking water protections for these chemicals.

Under the original framework, public water systems would be required to:

• Test drinking water for PFAS contamination.
• Notify consumers about contamination levels.
• Implement corrective actions when contamination exceeds federal limits.
• Meet compliance deadlines established by federal regulators.

The rule was widely viewed as one of the most important drinking water protections adopted in recent decades.

The PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act Would Preserve Existing Federal Protections

The PFAS National Drinking Water Standard Act was introduced in Congress as bipartisan legislation designed to codify the EPA’s 2024 drinking water standards into federal law.

Supporters argue that codification would provide greater certainty for communities, water utilities, and consumers by ensuring that future regulatory changes do not weaken existing protections.

The legislation seeks to preserve the 4.0 parts per trillion Maximum Contaminant Level for PFOA and PFOS and maintain federal efforts to address PFAS contamination in drinking water supplies nationwide.

Many lawmakers supporting the bill point to widespread contamination affecting communities throughout the country. Public water systems in numerous states have reported PFAS detections, creating concerns about long-term exposure and the costs associated with remediation.

Supporters also argue that federal standards create consistency across states and provide clear guidance regarding acceptable contamination levels.

For individuals living in communities with known PFAS contamination, maintaining enforceable national standards may play an important role in ensuring continued monitoring and cleanup efforts.

EPA’s 2026 Proposed Changes Have Sparked Significant Debate

The future of PFAS regulation remains the subject of substantial discussion following EPA actions announced on May 18, 2026.

The agency proposed two separate regulatory changes.

The first proposal would rescind portions of prior regulations involving PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and Hazard Index mixture standards.

The second proposal would extend compliance deadlines for PFOA and PFOS drinking water standards by two additional years, moving compliance deadlines from 2029 to 2031.

These proposed changes have generated responses from public health advocates, environmental organizations, water utilities, industry groups, and affected communities.

Supporters of maintaining the original timeline argue that delays may prolong exposure for individuals whose drinking water contains elevated PFAS levels. Others contend that additional time may be necessary for water systems to implement expensive treatment infrastructure and comply with federal requirements.

The EPA has announced a public hearing regarding the proposals and established public comment periods that allow stakeholders to provide input before final decisions are made.

Why PFAS Exposure Has Become a Major Public Health Concern

Scientific research examining PFAS exposure continues to expand. Numerous studies have evaluated potential associations between long-term exposure and various adverse health outcomes.

Research has examined possible links involving:

• Kidney cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Thyroid disease
• Elevated cholesterol
• Liver damage
• Immune system effects
• Reproductive complications
• Developmental concerns in children

While research continues to evolve, many health authorities agree that reducing unnecessary PFAS exposure is an important public health objective.

Communities located near manufacturing facilities, military installations, airports, landfills, and industrial sites have frequently reported elevated contamination levels in drinking water supplies.

For affected residents, concerns often extend beyond current exposure and include questions about years or decades of prior consumption before contamination was discovered.

PFAS Litigation Continues to Expand Nationwide

As awareness of PFAS contamination has increased, litigation involving manufacturers and other entities has expanded across the country.

Many lawsuits allege that companies knew or should have known about the persistence and risks associated with PFAS chemicals but failed to adequately warn the public.

PFAS-related claims may involve:

• Contaminated drinking water
• Personal injury allegations
• Property damage claims
• Medical monitoring requests
• Environmental remediation costs
• Municipal water treatment expenses

Communities, water providers, property owners, and individuals have pursued legal action seeking compensation and accountability for contamination allegedly linked to PFAS-producing entities.

As scientific research develops and additional contamination sites are identified, PFAS litigation is expected to remain a significant area of environmental and toxic exposure litigation.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review

Exposure to PFAS-contaminated drinking water has affected communities throughout the United States. Individuals and families often learn years later that their water supply may have contained elevated levels of these persistent chemicals. Questions about health risks, environmental contamination, and potential legal rights can arise long after exposure first occurred.

Parker Waichman LLP is investigating claims involving PFAS contamination and the potential health effects associated with long-term exposure to forever chemicals. The firm represents individuals and families nationwide who have been impacted by environmental contamination and toxic exposure.

If you believe you or a loved one may have been exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water, contact Parker Waichman LLP for a free consultation.

Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today to discuss your potential claim. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide law firm is ready to assist you.