What: On May 20, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to extend the compliance deadlines for a 2024 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) drinking water regulation. The agency also proposed rescinding parts of the rule regulating four specific types of PFAS.
Why: In 2024, the EPA finalized a Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) rule establishing maximum limits for PFAS in drinking water. Currently, the deadline for water systems to comply with this rule is April 26, 2029.
The EPA is proposing to extend the deadline until April 26, 2031, for any systems that request additional time to comply with the rule.
In a separate but related proposal, the EPA is also proposing to rescind portions of the 2024 rule regulating the following types of PFAS:
- Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS).
- Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA).
- Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt (HFPO-DA).
- Mixtures of these three PFAS plus perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS).
The EPA states that these rescissions are necessary because the portions of the 2024 rule dealing with these PFAS did not comply with the SDWA. The Office of Advocacy submitted comments on the 2024 rule requesting additional compliance time for small water systems, as well as the removal of the four specified PFAS.
The EPA will hold a virtual public hearing on July 7, 2026, to discuss both the proposed deadline extension and the rescission of the four PFAS from the 2024 rule.
Action: Read the proposals and submit your comments by July 20, 2026.
PROPOSED COMPLIANCE EXTENSION:
PROPOSED RESCISSION:
ADVOCACY’S 2023 COMMENTS:
PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Rulemaking (Docket ID: EPA HQ-OW-2022-0114)
PROPOSED DEADLINE EXTENSION:
Extending the Compliance Deadline for the PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Levels
PROPOSED RESCISSION OF PFAS SUBSTANCES:
Rescission of Regulatory Determinations and Removal of Related Provisions for Four PFAS Substances
PUBLIC HEARING REGISTRATION:
Proposed Regulations Related to PFAS in Drinking Water
CONTACT: Nick Goldstein
EMAIL: nick.goldstein@sba.gov
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