# Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021

This bill tackles a growing water pollution problem by requiring the EPA to create strict rules about "forever chemicals" that contaminate drinking water and the environment. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are human-made chemicals used in everything from non-stick cookware to water-resistant clothing to firefighting foam. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally and accumulate in our bodies and water supplies over time. Right now, there are no federal limits on how much PFAS can be discharged into our water, which means factories and treatment plants can legally release them without restriction.

The bill gives the EPA two main tasks with specific deadlines. First, within two years, the EPA must establish safe drinking water standards for PFAS—basically determining how much of these chemicals is acceptable in our water. Second, within four years, the EPA must create discharge limits for nine major industries that use or produce PFAS, including chemical manufacturers, paper mills, textile factories, metal finishing plants, and electronics makers. These industries would then have to treat their wastewater to remove PFAS before releasing it into rivers and streams.

To help water treatment facilities actually implement these new rules, the bill provides $200 million per year from 2022 through 2026 in federal grants. This money helps local water systems upgrade their equipment and processes to remove PFAS from drinking water and wastewater. Without this funding, many communities wouldn't have the resources to comply with the new standards. For everyday people, this means cleaner drinking water and reduced PFAS exposure, though it may eventually result in slightly higher water bills as treatment facilities invest in new technology. For industries, it means they'll need to invest in pollution control equipment to meet the new discharge limits.

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021

Pappas, Chris

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop requirements and incentives to limit the discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into certain waters of the United States. PFAS&nbsp;are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Within two years, the EPA must publish water quality criteria for each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. The water quality criteria must determine how much of these substances can be present in water before it is likely to harm human health. Within four years, the EPA must publish a final rule that establishes, for each priority industry category specified in the bill, effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the discharge of each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. Under the Clean Water Act, effluent limitations restrict the quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources (e.g., a discernible source such as a pipe) into navigable waters, the ocean, or other specified waters. In addition, the EPA must award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works for implementing the effluent limitations guidelines and standards.