A new drinking water health standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been proposed in Pennsylvania.
According to Patch News, the new health standard will target PFAS, which Pennsylvania has never set a state-level specific limit for in drinking water.
The new rule would set a maximum contaminant level (MCLs) of 18 parts per trillion for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and 14 perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
The proposed PFOA and PFOS MCLs will apply to all 3,117 community, nontransient noncommunity, bottled, vended, retail and bulk water systems in this Commonwealth, according to the proposed rulemaking. 1,905 are community water systems that serve a combined population of approximately 11.4 million residents in this Commonwealth. 1,096 are nontransient noncommunity water systems serving approximately 507,000 persons.
"Since Governor Tom Wolf signed an executive order in 2018, DEP has worked tirelessly to protect Pennsylvanians from these chemicals," said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell in a statement, reported Patch News.
A 60-day public comment period began Feb. 26 for residents to evaluate and comment on the new proposal.
"This public comment period allows stakeholders to share their feedback and concerns as we continue to put the safety and health of Pennsylvanians first," McDonnell said, reported Patch News.
Virtual public hearings on the new rules will be held in March via Webex on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Agency's website (EST).
The hearings will occur on:
- Monday, March 21, 2022 at 1:00 PM
- Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 6:00 PM
- Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM
- Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 9:00 AM
- Friday, March 25, 2022 at 9:00 AM
Comments can be submitted by emailing [email protected] or writing through the DEP's website.
