US EPA announces intent to keep PFOA/PFOS MCLs while pursuing rulemaking to extend PFAS drinking water compliance timeline to 2031 and reconsider other PFAS components

EPA announced it will retain the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS, but intends to pursue future rulemaking to extend the compliance date to 2031 (described as an extension from 2029). EPA also stated its intent to rescind and reconsider regulatory determinations/regulations for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the Hazard Index mixture approach. For compliance teams at drinking water systems and impacted stakeholders, this signals a forthcoming amendment process that could change project schedules, compliance planning, and the scope of regulated PFAS parameters; however, the changes are not yet final and require tracking through the upcoming rulemaking.