On May 18, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed two significant revisions to its PFAS drinking water standards and announced new grant funding to support local compliance efforts. The first rule extends the deadline to comply with PFOS and PFOA limits; the second rescinds drinking water limits for four PFAS contaminants. A 60-day public comment period runs through July 20, 2026.
Extending the Compliance Deadline for the PFOA and PFOS Maximum Contaminant Levels
The proposed rule would allow drinking water systems to request two additional years — through April 2031 — to comply with PFOS and PFOA limits. The enforceable limits themselves would not change; the maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) set in the 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulations remain at 4.0 parts per trillion.
To be considered for an extension, systems must demonstrate why they are unable to meet the compliance deadline. Those that are granted the extension would be required to notify the people they serve of the updated timeline.
EPA will host a virtual public hearing on July 7, 2026; pre-registration is required by July 1.
Written comments on this rule (Docket ID EPA-HQ-OW-2025-1742) are due July 20, 2026.
Read more about this proposed rule.
Rescission of Regulatory Determinations and Removal of Related Provisions for Four PFAS Substances
The proposed rule would remove enforceable drinking water limits (MCLs) for four PFAS — PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and their hazard-index mixtures — on the grounds that the Biden Administration did not follow procedural steps required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA characterized the move as a corrective measure rather than a removal of protections, and said the limits could be reinstated through a proper rulemaking process.
EPA will host a virtual public hearing on July 7, 2026; pre-registration is required by July 1.
Written comments on this rule (Docket ID EPAHQOW20250654) are due July 20, 2026.
Read more about this proposed rule.
Additional Grant Funding and Support
EPA also announced nearly $1 billion in new grant funding through the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant program to address PFAS and other emerging contaminants in drinking water. In Georgia, $25.4 million is available to help communities, drinking water systems, and private well owners with testing, planning, and infrastructure projects.
EPA has additional funding programs to help drinking water systems address PFAS:
- $4 billion is available through the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds for PFAS and emerging contaminants, in addition to general state revolving fund money that can also be used for PFAS-related projects.
- More than $6.5 billion in low-interest financing is available through EPA's Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan program for PFAS-related projects.
EPA’s PFAS OUT and EPA’s RealWaterTA initiatives offers resources, tools, funding, and technical assistance to help drinking water system come into compliance with the PFOA and PFOS drinking water standards.