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EPA Solicits Comment on Draft Interim Recommendations for Addressing Groundwater Contaminated with PFAS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will accept public comment until June 10, 2019, on the agency’s draft interim guidance for addressing two per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater.  When finalized, the recommendations will provide a starting point for making site-specific cleanup decisions under federal cleanup programs, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).  What is more, EPA anticipates that its guidance will be used by other federal, state and tribal agencies in carrying out “authorized” cleanup programs (e.g., federal facility cleanup programs and approved state Resource Conservation and Recovery Act corrective action programs). 

The draft guidance describes EPA’s interim recommendations for screening levels and preliminary remediation goals to inform final cleanup levels for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and/or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) contamination of groundwater that is a current or potential source of drinking water. 

According to EPA, the proposed guidance states that federal agencies with jurisdiction over drinking water sites should clean up groundwater contaminated with PFOA and/or PFOS to concentrations lower than 70 parts per trillion (ppt) level. The guidance also states: “In situations where groundwater is being used for drinking water, EPA expects that responsible parties will address levels of PFOA and/or PFOS over 70 ppt.” 

To view the draft guidance and see other EPA actions to address PFAS, visit https://www.epa.gov/pfas.

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