On 18 May 2026, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a comprehensive PFAS strategy to deliver practical, scientifically sound, and legally defensible drinking water protections under the “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. Working alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the EPA highlighted innovative treatment technologies and announced nearly $1 billion in new grant funding to help states and communities address PFAS contamination. This brings total funding under the Emerging Contaminants program to $5 billion over five years. The agency issued two proposed rules for public comment. The first upholds the existing Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS while introducing an opt-in extension allowing eligible drinking water systems up to two additional years (until 2031) to comply. The second proposed rule addresses procedural flaws in the previous administration’s regulation of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and related Hazard Index PFAS to ensure compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. The holistic approach emphasises full lifecycle management of PFAS, source prevention, robust science, and support for water systems to ensure reliable implementation while protecting public health.
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