NAWC Releases Statement on PFOS/PFOA Regulation

Contact: Marybeth Leongini, VP, Communications
Phone: (202) 349-7310   
Email: Marybeth@nawc.com

Washington, D.C. (July 11, 2019) – The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) released a position statement today on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) review to determine whether to set a maximum containment level (MCL) for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA).

Position of the Members of the National Association of Water Companies on PFOS/PFOA Regulation:

1. To ensure a consistent and appropriate science-based standard for all water systems, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should complete its process on whether to set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFOS and PFOA as soon as reasonably possible
2. EPA should provide routine updates on its schedule for making a final decision on setting an MCL for PFOS and PFOA
3. EPA should take all appropriate actions to ensure that polluters pay for treatment and site clean-up costs related to PFAS contamination
4. When NAWC member companies become aware that they are delivering water that has tested for PFOS and/or PFOA at levels above those set forth in EPA standards/Health Advisories or an applicable state standard, they will:
   1. Take reasonable measures to publicly disclose such test results
   2. Take steps to reduce PFOS and/or PFOA levels in finished drinking water, working with environmental and rate regulators to receive the necessary permits and rate recovery for any required capital improvements
   3. In the case of an in-effect contract operations agreement, work with the water system owner to determine appropriate next steps with consideration for the actions set forth above

Statement from Robert Powelson, NAWC president and chief executive officer:

“The National Association of Water Companies (NAWC) urges the EPA to complete the process of determining whether to set a maximum containment level for PFOS and PFOA as soon as possible. Further, as NAWC member companies do their part to ensure the drinking water they deliver to customers meets the standards that have been set, it is imperative that the parties responsible for introducing these contaminants into our water supply shoulder the responsibilities, not consumers, whose water systems are forced to clean up after those polluters.”