EPA’s proposed PFAS rule changes could shift compliance timelines and create new considerations for utilities, municipalities, and industrial organizations managing PFAS risks and treatment planning.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced proposed changes to federal PFAS drinking water regulations that could significantly impact how public water systems plan for compliance in the coming years. The proposed rules were released on May 22, 2026, and are currently open for public comment through July 20, 2026.
The proposals introduce potential changes to both regulatory requirements and compliance timelines under the Safe Drinking Water Act, creating new questions for utilities, municipalities, and industrial organizations already working through PFAS treatment and infrastructure planning.
What Is Changing?
EPA released two proposed rules related to PFAS regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The first proposal would rescind the federal drinking water regulatory determinations and associated Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for several PFAS compounds, including PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and the Index PFAS.
Importantly, the proposal would retain the existing federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS at 4 parts per trillion (ppt).
According to EPA, the proposed rescission is based on legal and procedural considerations under the Safe Drinking Water Act rather than a reassessment of the underlying health risk or occurrence data associated with these compounds.
Proposed Compliance Deadline Extension
The second proposed rule would extend the compliance deadline for public water systems to meet the PFOA and PFOS standards from 2029 to 2031.
Under the proposal, eligible public water systems could request up to an additional two years to complete required treatment upgrades if they can demonstrate implementation challenges such as:
- Capital improvement costs
- Supply chain disruptions
- Workforce limitations
- Treatment technology constraints
Systems seeking an extension would also need to implement interim control measures and maintain PFAS levels below 12 ppt during the extension period.
EPA intends to finalize the rules before the end of 2026.
What This Means for Utilities and Industry
While the proposed rules are not yet finalized, they introduce additional uncertainty for organizations already navigating PFAS compliance planning, treatment selection, and long-term capital investments.
Many utilities and facility owners may now be reassessing:
- Treatment schedules and infrastructure planning
- Sampling and monitoring strategies
- Funding timelines and grant opportunities
- Interim mitigation approaches
- Regulatory risk and long-term compliance strategies
As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, organizations are increasingly being asked to make treatment and infrastructure decisions under compressed timelines and changing requirements.
How Kleinfelder Can Help
Kleinfelder supports communities, utilities, and industry clients with PFAS investigation, treatment planning, regulatory strategy, and implementation services across North America.
Our multidisciplinary teams provide support for:
- Site characterization and investigation
- PFAS sampling and analysis coordination
- Bench testing and treatment evaluations
- Planning and design support
- Implementation (design and design-build)
- Funding application assistance
- Regulatory strategy development
- Community outreach and stakeholder communication
Kleinfelder has also expanded its PFAS capabilities with the launch of a dedicated PFAS testing laboratory in McClure, Ohio, along with mobile pilot testing units that can be deployed across North America.
These capabilities allow clients to evaluate treatment approaches using site-specific data under real-world operating conditions, helping reduce uncertainty and support more informed treatment and compliance decisions.
Expanded capabilities include:
- Rapid Small-Scale Column Testing (RSSCTs) and batch isotherm testing
- Evaluation of treatment media including granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange, and alternative media
- Mobile pilot systems for groundwater and surface water applications
- Scalable performance data to support full-scale treatment system design and cost estimating
Learn more about our PFAS lab testing capabilities
By combining investigation, testing, pilot evaluation, design, and implementation services, Kleinfelder helps clients move from assessment through full-scale treatment solutions with a single integrated team.
Learn more about Kleinfelder’s PFAS and emerging contaminants services
What’s Next?
EPA’s public comment period on both proposed rules remains open through July 20, 2026.
The agency will also hold a virtual public hearing on July 7, 2026.
Organizations evaluating the potential impacts of these proposed changes should continue monitoring regulatory developments while assessing treatment, compliance, and long-term planning strategies.
Additional information and summaries of the proposed rules are available on the EPA website.