EPA Provides Updates on PFAS Health Advisories and MDBPs at NDWAC Meeting

The National Drinking Water Advisory Council (NDWAC), provides EPA with advice and recommendations related to the national drinking water program, met virtually on December 2nd and 3rd.

While the meeting primarily focused on developing advice and recommendations to EPA on Consumer Confidence Report rule revisions, EPA provided updates to the Council on PFAS health advisories under development and a new charge to the NDWAC requesting that the Council provide the agency with advice and recommendations on key issues related to potential revisions to Microbial and Disinfection Byproducts (MDBP) rules.

The charge to the NDWAC and the solicitation of nominations for the MDBP Rule Revisions Working Group can be found under NDWAC working groups. EPA is accepting nominations for the NDWAC MDBP working group through December 13th. The agency is seeking consensus recommendations and advice on key issues related to the MDBP rules from an EPA NDWAC MDBP workgroup. The Agency plans to provide targeted technical analysis support to help ensure equitable technical expertise for all perspectives represented on the workgroup, which will include representatives from state and tribal officials, public water systems of varied sizes, and environmental and public interest groups. Working group meetings will begin in Spring 2022 and continue through Summer 2023. EPA anticipates holding between eight and fifteen meetings, likely bi-monthly and virtual, though in-person meetings will be evaluated. All meetings will be open to the public. EPA’s goal is to propose amended rules (if applicable) by July 2024.

Earlier this year, EPA released final human health toxicity assessments for two PFAS: GenX chemicals (HPFO) and PFBS. EPA is developing health advisories for these two chemicals and completing those in Spring 2022.  EPA is working on an additional five toxicity assessments for PFAS chemicals. EPA is also planning to update the PFOA and PFOS health advisories based on the updated toxicity values currently being reviewed by the Science Advisory Board. The Agency is planning to update their website to include information on health advisories that are under development.