AWWA, AMWA statement on EPA motion to vacate Hazard Index portion of PFAS rule

American Water Works Association (AWWA) CEO David LaFrance and Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) CEO Tom Dobbins released the following statement today regarding EPA’s request to the U.S. Court of Appeals to vacate the regulations and regulatory determinations for six PFAS (individually and as a mixture through a novel Hazard Index):

“AWWA and AMWA share the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s goal of protecting people from potentially harmful levels of PFAS in drinking water. Our goal in filing a petition for review of the PFAS rule last year was to help the agency arrive at a regulation that protects water consumers from PFAS, is grounded in science, and is affordable to implement nationwide. We remain committed to this outcome.

“EPA’s decision to ask the Court to vacate the regulatory determinations for the Hazard Index PFAS is a positive step forward for the PFAS rule and the future of drinking water regulation. The decision is consistent with EPA’s May 14 announcement, in which the agency stated its intention to rescind the Hazard Index ‘to ensure that the [regulatory] determinations and any resulting drinking water regulation follow the legal process laid out in the Safe Drinking Water Act.’”

“The SDWA sets forth a rigorous process for developing drinking water rules. It allows EPA to evaluate potential risks and arrive at scientifically sound regulations. And it requires EPA to consider public comment at various points in the process. The introduction of a complicated Hazard Index calculation, along with reduced opportunities for public comment, strayed from this rigorous and congressionally-mandated approach.

“If accepted by the Court, EPA’s request will reopen the opportunity for meaningful public input and ultimately lead to a more scientifically defensible final rule. It will also ensure that future rulemakings better respect the SDWA process, helping EPA, water utilities, and other partners identify risks and prioritize investments.”

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About AWWA
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most vital resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life.

About AMWA
The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) has been the unified and definitive voice for the nation’s largest publicly owned water systems for over 40 years. AMWA’s membership serves more than 160 million people with safe drinking water.