Trump EPA Proposes Repeal of PFAS Water Limits, Delays Deadlines

The Trump administration has moved to repeal national drinking water limits for four types of toxic "forever chemicals" and delay compliance deadlines for two others, a significant rollback of landmark environmental standards set in 2024. The Environmental Protection Agency announced the proposal on Monday, initiating a formal public comment period.

The plan would rescind legally enforceable limits for the chemicals PFNA, PFHxS, GenX, and PFBS. For the two remaining regulated chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, water utilities would be allowed to apply for a two-year extension to meet the standards, shifting the compliance deadline from 2029 to 2031. The 2024 rule was the first new federal drinking water contaminant standard in nearly three decades and the first ever national limit for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, appearing alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., defended the action. He argued the previous administration failed to follow required legal procedures under the Safe Drinking Water Act when establishing the limits, making them vulnerable to court challenges. Zeldin stated the agency is now committed to...