Federal PFAS Drinking Water Rules Enter Final Rulemaking Phase
What the EPA proposed on May 18, 2026
The agency announced two proposed rules affecting the 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for PFAS.
The first proposed rule would uphold the federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion each, while providing an option for drinking water systems to request an additional two years — moving the compliance date from April 26, 2029, to April 26, 2031. Source: EPA, Proposed PFOA and PFOS Compliance Extension Rule.
The second proposed rule would rescind the MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (commonly known as GenX chemicals), and Hazard Index mixtures of these three PFAS plus PFBS. Source: EPA, Proposed PFAS Rescission Rule.
Current Status
• The 2024 rule remains in effect. The proposed rescissions are not yet finalized, and the original 2024 regulations remain legally enforceable. Source: Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, August 14, 2026.
• Comment period closed July 20, 2026, following a virtual public hearing held July 7, 2026. Source: EPA.
• Finalization expected by year-end 2026. Source: Kleinfelder regulatory analysis, May 2026.
• Approximately 12% of U.S. water utilities are above the 2024 PFOA/PFOS limits, based on EPA sampling. Source: Associated Press reporting.
Where certified point-of-use treatment fits
Certified point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) devices remain part of the recognized PFAS treatment landscape and are supported through the Water Quality Association's certification programs and dealer resources. Source: WQA PFAS Portal for Water Treatment Professionals.
WQA is also currently backing bipartisan Senate legislation — the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act of 2026, unanimously approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on July 15, 2026 — that would establish a federal pilot program evaluating certified POU treatment technologies for contaminants including PFAS and lead. Source: WaterWorld, July 2026.
Two customer scenarios most relevant to dealers this fall
Homeowners on public water systems seeking the two-year extension. If EPA finalizes the extension provision and a homeowner's utility applies, that community may not reach full 4 ppt PFOA/PFOS compliance at the tap until April 2031.
Homeowners on private wells. The federal PFAS rule applies only to public water systems. Penn State Extension guidance notes that certified point-of-use devices for PFOA/PFOS reduction are one of the direct paths available to homeowners managing PFAS in their own drinking water supply. Source: Penn State Extension, Home Water Treatment for PFAS.
What to say when customers ask
“I heard EPA is rolling back PFAS rules — is this even something I need to worry about anymore?”
“The 2024 rule is actually still in effect. What EPA proposed in May would keep the limits on PFOA and PFOS — the two most common PFAS — but give utilities two extra years, until 2031, to meet them. They also proposed dropping limits on four less common PFAS. Nothing’s been finalized yet. So for the two most widespread PFAS, the federal standard is still 4 parts per trillion — that hasn’t changed.”
“My utility says our water is fine — do I still need a system?”
“That may be true today. But if EPA finalizes the extension, some utilities won’t reach full 4 ppt compliance at the tap until 2031. The question is really: do you want treated water at your tap now, or are you okay waiting? If you want it now, a certified point-of-use system is the direct route — and it’s not dependent on how the federal rulemaking plays out.”
“I’m on a well — does any of this apply to me?”
“Not really — and that’s the part most people miss. The federal PFAS rule only covers public water systems. If you’re on a well, no federal limit applies to you, and no one is required to treat your water. Point-of-use or whole-house treatment is really the only path if you want PFAS reduction at your tap.”
“How do I know if a system actually reduces PFAS?”
“Look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certification, specifically listing PFOA and PFOS reduction. That’s the third-party benchmark. Our Micromax 8500 carries that certification — it’s tested and certified by the Water Quality Association.”
Puronics Micromax 8500
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
The Puronics Micromax 8500 five-stage reverse osmosis drinking water system is tested and certified by the Water Quality Association against NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for the reduction of VOCs and PFOA/PFOS. The system is additionally certified against NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for the reduction of arsenic, barium, cadmium, hexavalent and trivalent chromium, copper, fluoride, lead, radium 226/228, selenium, turbidity and total dissolved solids; NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for aesthetic chlorine taste and odor reduction; NSF/ANSI Standard 401 for the reduction of BPA, estrone, ibuprofen, naproxen and nonylphenol; and NSF/ANSI Standard 372 for low lead compliance.
See full Micromax 8500 certifications and specificationsAPPENDIX · FULL SOURCE LIST
• EPA — Proposed PFOA and PFOS Compliance Extension Rule: epa.gov/sdwa/proposed-pfoa-and-pfos-compliance-extension-rule
• EPA — Proposed PFAS Rescission Rule: epa.gov/sdwa/proposed-pfas-rescission-rule
• EPA — PFAS in drinking water (overview page): epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
• Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (Aug 14, 2026) — Current status of PFAS regulation: ihmm.org
• Kleinfelder — EPA PFAS Rule Changes 2026 analysis: kleinfelder.com
• AP reporting on utility compliance data (via MarketBeat): marketbeat.com
• Water Quality Association — PFAS Portal for Water Treatment Professionals: wqa.org/education/pfasportal
• WaterWorld — WQA backs Senate drinking water bill with POU pilot (July 2026): waterworld.com
• Penn State Extension — Home Water Treatment for PFAS: extension.psu.edu
• Puronics Micromax 8500 product page (certification language source): puronics.com/drinking-water-systems/micromax8500
