Posted On: April 10, 2024 - 3:45 p.m.
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced new federal drinking water standards called Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water to safeguard public health and enhance water quality nationwide. With this rule, EPA establishes legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur individually or as mixtures in drinking water. EPA will regulate five PFAS individually. They are PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. EPA will regulate four PFAS as a mixture: PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is carefully reviewing the new regulations and will continue to work closely with public water systems to ensure that they meet the new standards. For more information about EPA’s PFAS rule | Visit EPA's Website >
Public water systems have three years to complete initial PFAS monitoring requirements, after which they are obligated to inform the public about the levels of PFAS detected in their drinking water. For cases where monitoring shows PFAS levels higher than the standards, water systems must then implement effective solutions to meet the PFAS standards within five years.
Fortunately, ADEQ has been proactive in addressing PFAS contamination in Arizona since 2018 and has launched a comprehensive statewide effort to test public water systems for 29 different types of PFAS. The test results have been published in a detailed interactive map that identifies where PFAS has been detected, enabling targeted mitigation efforts. ADEQ will update the PFAS map and resources on its website to reflect EPA’s final MCLs for PFAS | View PFAS Map >
As of April 10, 2024, 83% of all Arizona public water systems subject to the PFAS final rule have been tested for PFAS. Approximately 10% of systems tested to date have found PFAS at a level higher than an MCL. Many of these systems have already taken actions to reduce customers’ PFAS exposure.
To provide support to small water systems and disadvantaged communities that need assistance to address PFAS, ADEQ developed and is implementing a statewide drinking water PFAS mitigation plan to ensure safe water for all Arizonans. This plan was made possible by Governor Katie Hobbs’ $5 million state funding allocation for PFAS mitigation in 2023. ADEQ’s PFAS mitigation plan leverages both the $5 million in state funding and an additional $42 million in federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. ADEQ is providing assistance to the communities of Globe and Payson, AZ, providing PFAS education for drinking water professionals, and conducting hydrogeologic studies in identified areas with high PFAS contamination, including Chino Valley, Payson/Star Valley, and in the vicinity of the Santa Cruz River in Santa Cruz County.
ADEQ remains committed to protecting public health and will continue to provide guidance and support to Arizona's water providers as they work to maintain safe drinking water. ADEQ will be updating our PFAS Resources page with the latest information | Learn More >
