EPA Acting Administrator Wheeler Addresses 15th Annual Drinking Water Workshop

On August 29, EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler addressed the 15th Annual Drinking Water Workshop that’s jointly sponsored by EPA and ASDWA. He emphasized his commitment to providing greater certainty for environmental protection for the American public in three areas:

  1. Certainty for states and local government, including tribes
  2. Certainty within EPA programs
  3. Certainty in risk communication

For his last point, he wants EPA to speak with one voice and to be accurate in characterizing the risk. People need an answer to the basic question – what is the risk that people face?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are EPA’s latest challenge. EPA is finalizing the Agency’s efforts on community engagements with the final one in Leavenworth, Kansas on September 5th. EPA is concluding these engagements in order to complete the Agency’s PFAS Management Plan this fall.