NAWC Statement on EPA’s PFAS Announcement

May 21, 2025

PHILADELPHIA – The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) and its member companies are committed to providing safe and reliable drinking water to the communities they serve. NAWC President and CEO Robert F. Powelson issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent announcement regarding adjustments it intends to make to the final PFAS rule:

“We applaud the EPA for maintaining the national standards for PFOA and PFOS. These are two of the most prevalent PFAS compounds and maintaining these limits is a crucial step in safeguarding public health. “Our members, America’s regulated, private water companies, are leaders in investing in advanced treatment technologies to address emerging contaminants like PFAS and remain dedicated to protecting public health. For example, Veolia recently announced the opening of what is expected to be one of the largest PFAS treatment plants in the world, and Aqua Pennsylvania is already significantly ahead of schedule in compliance with the current standards set for 2029. These investments demonstrate an unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality water.

“NAWC members have proactively worked to control these dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water even in the absence of state or federal standards. Water companies do not create or produce PFAS chemicals, nor are they used in the water or wastewater treatment processes. The only reason water and wastewater utilities handle and dispose of PFAS is because they are cleaning up after the polluters’ environmental failures.

“As we move forward, it is critical that water companies can recover the significant investments they are making in PFAS treatment technologies. These investments are essential to ensuring regulated, private water companies can continue to provide safe and reliable drinking water to their customers. And NAWC continues to advocate for Congressional action to ensure that polluters, not water customers, bear the financial responsibility for cleaning up PFAS contamination at Superfund sites.

“NAWC and its members will continue to work collaboratively with the EPA, Congress, state regulators and other stakeholders to address PFAS contamination and ensure the long-term safety of our drinking water supplies.”