EPA’s Move to Reduce PFAS Regs Tied Up in Courts

October 1, 2025

Read the full article by Dominic Butchko (Maryland Association of Counties)

"This past May, the EPA moved to pull back drinking water limits it had recently set for certain PFAS chemicals, saying parts of the rule were flawed and based on bad data. But environmental and community groups argue that weakening those limits could violate federal law, which generally prohibits rolling back existing drinking water protections. The issue is now pending in the D.C. Circuit Court, with utilities, chemical companies, and community groups all weighing in on whether the EPA can legally revoke its own rule.

For counties that operate water and wastewater systems, the final outcome will have major direct implications. If federal PFAS limits are loosened, some local systems may delay or reduce costly treatment upgrades, but at the risk of facing future liability or public health concerns if standards tighten again. If the stricter limits are upheld, counties will need to prepare for significant investments in compliance, including testing, treatment technology, and the disposal of PFAS-contaminated waste. Even though federal policy remains in flux, state leaders are likely to place tighter limits on PFAS wastewater systems. This will likely mean Maryland counties will still need to prepare for stricter PFAS limits sometime in the near future."