After an extensive review exceeding a year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled out new federal regulations setting maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for the notorious 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS in drinking water. These synthetic substances have been linked to a slew of health problems and are notoriously persistent in the environment. The new MCLs put a cap on the concentration of these chemicals allowable in public water supplies, promising a stricter oversight than seen before, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

Acting in concert with the federal move, Washington state is gearing up to align with the freshly minted standards. In a statement obtained by the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), officials will elucidate how these MCLs will frame the regulation of PFAS in the Evergreen State's drinking water. A virtual media briefing pegged for April 10 at 1 p.m. is on the books to discuss this significant shift in policy.

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have been commonplace in products that tout stain-resistance, water-resistance, and non-stick properties. In Washington, they've seen action in specific firefighting foams utilized by various fire departments and the military. Due to their resistance to degradation, PFAS compounds have earned the grim moniker of "forever chemicals." Accumulating these substances in the human body at elevated levels can trigger adverse health effects, warranting the attention they're currently receiving.

In advance of these federal regulations, Washington was already proactive, setting state action levels (SALs) in 2021, compelling more than 2,430 Group A water systems to test for PFAS by December 2025. Of those tested so far, 1,228 systems have been tested and PFAS levels topping the SALs were found in 30 systems, sparking concerns over water safety which the new federal guidelines aim to address.