The Environmental Protection Agency announced new limits on certain types of PFAS chemicals in drinking water.
in drinking water that will require utilities to reduce them to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.. Some utility companies have been alarmed at these new requirements and the billions of dollars they will cost.KSAT reached out to the San Antonio Water Authority for reaction on the new rules.“ SAWS has been monitoring the EPA’s evolving actions regarding PFAS over the last year.
PFAS accumulates in the body, which is why EPA set their limits for drinking water at 4 parts per trillion for two common types — PFOA and PFOS — that are phased out of manufacturing but still are present in the environment. Health experts say low doses of the chemicals can build up in the body over time, so even small amounts are a problem.
For some other types, the limit is 10 parts per trillion, and there are also limits on certain PFAS combinations. As a result of the rule, the EPA says nearly 10,000 fewer deaths will occur in the coming decades and tens of thousands of severe illnesses will be avoided.Environmental and public health groups have argued that limits should have been in place long ago, but they are generally thrilled with the announcement. They like that it sets limits for PFOA and PFOSand that the agency did not agree with some utility groups that wanted a more lenient limit.
They’ve said the EPA’s $1.5 billion annual cost estimate is too low, water bills for consumers will go up and the health benefits of the rule aren’t big enough, especially at low PFAS concentrations, to justify all the expense.
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