EPA abandons communities by weakening drinking water safeguards against PFAS, including GenX

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—EPA announced today its ill-advised plan to rescind essential drinking water standards for PFAS, eliminating standards for PFAS chemicals known to cause cancer and other health harms—including GenX, the PFAS chemical Chemours released in North Carolina tainting the drinking water for over 500,000 people downstream.  

“When this administration talks about deregulation, this is what they mean–allowing toxic chemicals in drinking water at the request of polluters,” said Kelly Moser, senior attorney and leader of the Water Program at the Southern Environmental Law Center which led successful litigation against Chemours in North Carolina to stop GenX and other PFAS pollution of the Cape Fear River and people’s drinking water. “This action also undercuts Administrator Zeldin’s acknowledgment of the severe health harms of PFAS; what people need are protections from pollution, not press releases feigning concern.” 

Today’s announcement ignores sound science and puts polluters before people by removing a key tool for keeping PFAS out of people’s drinking water. Now, more than ever, EPA, states, and wastewater treatment plants must use their authority under the Clean Water Act to require that industry stop their pollution at the source. If existing laws are enforced, as they should be, they will keep PFAS pollution out of our waterways and downstream drinking water, so people are protected and the polluter pays for treating their own pollution. 

As EPA has recognized, PFAS—a family of chemicals estimated to number in the thousands—pose a significant health risk. Known as “forever chemicals,” they do not dissipate, dissolve, or degrade but stay in water, soil, and our bodies. PFAS are not removed by conventional water treatment so keeping them out of drinking water sources is critical to avoid burdening downstream communities. Polluters should have to bear the cost of their pollution not downstream communities.