Utilities’ PFAS Cleanup Costs and Risks Exacerbated by New Rule

Water utilities and companies that have either of two PFAS chemicals the EPA has deemed hazardous Superfund substances face tremendous uncertainty about how they should manage those wastes, according to industry representatives and attorneys following the significant agency rule.

That uncertainty complicates waste management decisions, can increase costs, and increase liability risk, especially coming on top of the national PFAS drinking water limits the Environmental Protection Agency set on April 10, said Chris Moody, regulatory technical manager with the American Water Works Association, which represents drinking water utilities.

Yet the rule also helps communities, businesses, and property owners that are ...