EPA Moves to Scrap Four PFAS Water Rules
Published Date: 5/20/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is proposing to undo its rules for four PFAS chemicals (PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and a mix including PFBS) in drinking water because the original process wasn’t done right. This means public water systems won’t have to monitor or treat these chemicals for now. People and water providers should weigh in by July 20, 2026, and a virtual hearing happens July 7.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Public Water Systems Freed from PFAS Rules
The EPA proposes to rescind the drinking-water rules for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the mixture that includes PFBS. If finalized, public water systems (community and non-transient noncommunity systems) would no longer be required to monitor, treat, or report for those four PFAS; the rule does not change the existing PFOA and PFOS MCLs of 4.0 ng/L (ppt). You can comment by July 20, 2026; a virtual hearing is July 7, 2026.
Estimated National Compliance Cost Savings
EPA estimates removing the standards for these PFAS would reduce national compliance costs. The agency estimates about $11.6 million per year (2022 dollars) in annualized quantified savings attributable to including PFHxS, potential additional annualized savings of about $82 million (2022 dollars, sensitivity estimate) from removing PFNA, HFPO-DA, and the Index PFAS, plus smaller savings such as about $11.3 million in treatment cost reductions and roughly $240,000 in annual monitoring/administrative savings.
Rescission Lowers Previously Estimated Health Benefits
EPA estimates the proposed rescission would reduce previously expected national benefits by about $6.7 million in annualized quantified terms (2022 dollars) and would also reduce additional nonquantified health benefits tied to regulating these PFAS. The agency notes evidence linking these substances to developmental, reproductive, immune, liver, and thyroid harms, and says those nonquantified benefits may be forgone if the rescission is finalized.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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