The First Federal Regulation of “Forever Chemicals” in Drinking Water

On March 14, 2023, the Biden-Harris Administration and the EPA announced a proposed rule for regulating public drinking water called the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR). If finalized, this rule would be the “first-ever national drinking water standard” by regulating chemicals in drinking water. Although many supporters praise the proposed rule, critics wonder whether the federal government is providing public water systems and municipal utilities with enough resources to implement the rule and succeed.