New Jersey Adopts New PFOA AND PFOS Drinking Water Standards

On June 1, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection adopted new drinking water standards for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The new standards establish maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) of 14 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 13 ppt for PFOS beginning with first quarter sampling in 2021. This will be in addition to the existing state MCL of 13 ppt for perfluoroonanoic acid (PFNA). The state has also established groundwater quality standards at the same levels for site remediation activities and regulated discharges to groundwater, added PFOA and PFOS to the list of hazardous substances, and will require private well testing for PFAS during real estate transactions beginning December 2021. Read the announcement here.