In 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the first-ever national drinking water limits for several Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals. Now, the agency is proposing to roll back protections for several PFAS substances, while also providing an option to delay compliance deadlines for other dangerous chemicals.
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals.” This is because they do not break down easily in the environment. They accumulate in water, soil, wildlife, and even people over time!
Clean Water Action and communities across the country have fought for years to address the PFAS crisis. We need stronger protections and faster action — not dangerous rollbacks that put our health and drinking water at risk.
The public comment period is only until July 20, 2026.
Take action today and tell EPA to protect our water from toxic PFAS contamination.
Trump’s EPA wants to remove protections against toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water.
EPA is proposing to remove federal drinking water protections for several dangerous PFAS chemicals, including PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS mixtures. At the same time, EPA is also planning on providing an option to delay compliance deadlines for PFOA and PFOS, from 2029 to 2031. These toxic “forever chemicals” are linked to cancer, immune system harm, hormone disruption, liver and thyroid damage, developmental impacts, and other serious health problems.
Instead of strengthening protections and stopping PFAS pollution at the source, EPA is trying to weaken safeguards that communities fought for over years to secure.
PFAS contamination has been detected in drinking water across the country. Families should not have to worry that the water coming from their tap could make them sick.
This proposal would:
- Remove drinking water standards for multiple dangerous PFAS chemicals;
- Undermine science-based public health protections;
- Delay urgently needed action on toxic contamination;
- Shift more cleanup costs onto communities and taxpayers instead of polluters;
- Put the interests of chemical manufacturers ahead of public health.
Clean Water Action is calling on EPA to reject these dangerous rollbacks and protect communities from PFAS contamination.
