PFAS Regulation – Implications of States Taking the Lead

The existing framework of Federal environmental laws work in concert to prevent and remediate environmental contamination. This cradle to grave approach provides preventative mechanisms to spread the responsibility and cost of pollution prevention across all producers and users of hazardous materials. With the current lack of federal leadership on PFAS regulation, some states are implementing regulations focused on point of use, leaving drinking water utilities and their rate payers with the majority of the financial burden of addressing PFAS contamination. This regulatory approach also exposes private well owners to additional costs of characterization and treatment. This presentation will discuss the implication of the patchwork of state regulations and their varied regulatory approaches on the effectiveness of addressing the public health risks from PFAS and the potential implications of shifting to states leading on regulation of emerging contaminants.