(May 20, 2020) – The Water Asset Management Conference went virtual this year, and on May 14 held a special panel session on PFAS. The online event included experts from the water and wastewater sector – including NACWA – and offered discussion on key state regulatory actions happening in Michigan, California and New England, as well as the state of play with EPA and its PFAS Action Plan. Panelists also discussed Congressional asks, the possibility of seeing PFAS in future legislation and potential implications to the water sector.

Although PFAS may appear to have retreated as a front-burner concern due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NACWA continues to urge members to remain active on this issue. EPA is working on several PFAS Action Plan items that will have an impact on the water sector, including the initial stage of proposing whether or not to regulate PFOA and PFOS under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

NACWA also continues its advocacy efforts on PFAS with key Congressional offices urging that any legislation must be workable for public utilities as they are passive receivers that do not produce or profit off PFAS.  Any legislation must follow the processes outlined in the Clean Water Act in order to advance the goals of clean and safe water.

NACWA would like to thank Water and Finance Management for asking NACWA to participate in this year’s Water Asset Management Conference. If members have questions, please contact Emily Remmel, NACWA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs.