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AWWA Regulatory Advisory - Announcement on PFAS regulation

Date postedMay 19, 2026
Posted By: Hillary M. Caron Community News, Industry, Member Blogs,

Regulatory Advisory

Get AWWA Insider news every other week when you become an AWWA Water Utility or Organizational member

Who: U.S. EPA
What: Announcement on PFAS regulation
When: Monday, May 18

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are today making a livestreamed announcement concerning PFAS.

As explained in the May 4 AWWA Regulatory Advisory, it is likely EPA will announce two rulemakings following through on EPA Administrator Zeldin’s commitment in May 2025 to revise the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation.

Given the high level of public interest in PFAS, water utilities should prepare for media and customer inquiries resulting from the announcement.

AWWA encourages members to prepare for media inquiries and to proactively communicate with the communities you serve about what your water system is doing to address PFAS exposure. In responding to inquiries, AWWA recommends that utilities:

  • Acknowledge the concern all contaminants present to safe drinking water. Emphasize to media and consumers that you are committed to protecting public health.
  • Point out that your utility seeks out and monitors for unregulated contaminants under the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) to stay ahead of potential health risks.
  • Make clear that your water meets federal and state standards for safety (clearly explaining any Safe Drinking Water Act violations).
  • Focus on how water risks are assessed and managed, using the rigorous scientific framework of the Safe Drinking Water Act and your state (equivalents).
  • Invite media and consumers to learn more about your local water quality by providing them with consumer confidence reports (CCR) and other web-based information or connecting them to the appropriate utility contact.
  • If possible, contact your local health department and/or a trusted academic voice to collaborate in communicating about PFAS.

AWWA has resources to assist water systems communicate to decision makers and the public about PFAS.

If you receive calls related to the ongoing judicial review of the current PFAS rule, please direct them to Greg Kail, AWWA director of communications, 303-913-0063.

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