State Department of Health to Issue Proposed Regulations for PFAS in Drinking Water Systems
ALBANY, N.Y. (October 4, 2022) – The New York State Department of Health will issue proposed regulations for 23 additional emerging contaminants in drinking water in the State Register on October 5, starting a 60-day public review and comment period. The proposed rulemaking was developed with input and support by the New York State Drinking Water Quality Council (DWQC) in accordance with amendments to Public Health Law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.
The proposed regulations are the Department's latest effort to address emerging contaminants in drinking water, such as PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This family of chemicals has been widely used for decades in fabric waterproofing, certain fire suppression foam used by professional firefighters, and non-stick cookware, among other applications. PFAS break down slowly in the environment and in certain cases have contaminated drinking water supplies leading to concerns about exposure and health risk.
The proposed regulations would set new drinking water standards, or maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), for four additional PFAS, requiring public water systems to reduce levels under the outlined requirements. These would join regulations in place since 2020 requiring reductions of the two categories of PFAS of highest concern: PFOA and PFOS. The proposed rules would also require testing, reporting, and public notification for 19 additional PFAS compounds.
"New Yorkers should know that their drinking water is among the most protected in the country." New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. "New York has been leading the way on emerging contaminants and today's announcement represents another important milestone."
The Department is also releasing a short video, entitled, "From Source to Tap," describing how public drinking water is protected, and the network of public health professionals responsible for keeping keep New York's drinking water safe. View it at www.health.ny.gov/publicwater.
The proposed regulations will appear in the NYS Register on October 5th at: https://dos.ny.gov/state-register where the public will then have until December 5, 2022 to review and comment. The Department will then review submitted comments, develop responses, and propose a final rule for the Public Health and Health Planning Council to consider for formal adoption.