A USA Today analysis of the Environmental Protection Agency’s USA Today, released June 2, shows that water poured from the taps of at least 42 million Americans is contaminated with unacceptable levels of “eternal chemicals.”
Single-phase and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs, are a family of artificial chemicals designed to be almost indestructible. Research shows that they can accumulate in the human body over time, leading to certain cancers and other health complications.
Over the past two years, the EPA has collected a complete series of test results from around 6,900 drinking water systems, with thousands more expected as the PFAS testing initiative continues for another year.
USA Today’s analysis of these systems with full results shows that nearly a quarter of the large water operators serving at least 100,000 customers exceed the limits approved by EPAs for two chemicals last year, approved by PFOS and PFOA.
The Water Systems in Fairfax County, Virginia and San Juan, Puerto Rico, each serving more than one million customers, have joined the list of utilities with test results, averaged the limits on the latest EPA data.
The USA Today analysis also shows that Tempe, Arizona, which provides water to more than 165,000 people, has joined the list. Multiple test locations were unable to meet the EPA standard. PFO at one sample site averaged 55 trillion parts (PPT), several times the allowable limit range of 4 PPT.
Overall, USA Today has discovered that the 774 system does not meet the limits of eternal chemicals. These utilities will likely need to install advanced filtration systems by 2031 or find alternative sources of drinking water.
The deadline for the standard-meeting system was originally set in 2029, but in May the EPA proposed an extension and announced it would cancel the restrictions on four other types of PFAs set under the Biden administration in 2024.
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said the delay would be to provide “common-sense flexibility” by “supporting water systems across the country, including small-scale systems in rural communities to address these contaminants.”
An industry group representing water companies has sued the EPA, claiming that the agency failed to follow the appropriate procedures when approving PFA restrictions last year. Last month, Zeldin said that retracting the limitations of the other four eternal chemicals would ensure that they “follow the legal process set out in the Safe Drinking Water Act.”
The lawsuit has been pending since February to allow the new administration time to consider the issue. On June 4th, the hold was extended until July 21st, but “The United States will determine the most appropriate course of action for this case in light of the EPA’s decision to reconsider some of the rules challenged.”
Advocacy groups are condemning the EPA’s proposed changes regarding Forever Chemicals. Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, described the move as “a betrayal of public health.”
“The community has been waiting for protection for decades, and now the EPA is pulling out the rug,” Benesh said. “The science is clear. PFA is dangerous even in small quantities. Agents must protect all Americans from not only two chemicals, but from the entire class of harmful PFA.”
