EPA’s New PFAS Rules Under Siege by Water Utility Trade Groups, Continuing a Trend of Regulatory Resistance
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing a legal challenge to its new drinking water limits for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), spearheaded by U.S. water utilities. These utilities, represented by their trade groups, argue that the EPA’s rules are based on flawed data, though they claim not to oppose PFAS regulation outright. This resistance is part of a broader pattern, as utilities and their trade associations have a long history of opposing stricter water quality regulations, including limits on toxic substances like lead and carcinogenic disinfectants. Despite their mission to provide safe water, these groups have frequently lobbied against rules designed to enhance water safety, often in collaboration with the chemical industry.
The trade groups leading this opposition, particularly the American Water Works Association (AWWA), have faced criticism for prioritizing financial concerns over public health. For decades, these groups have delayed or weakened regulations, including those related to the removal of lead pipes. Critics argue that the industry’s actions have led to prolonged public health risks and higher costs for consumers. While the Biden administration has proposed more stringent regulations, such as replacing all lead pipes within ten years, the AWWA continues to push back, citing high costs and feasibility issues, despite evidence of the long-term benefits of such measures.
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Puraffinity is pleased to announce that its G400+ adsorbent media has been certified to NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 standards for Point of Entry (POE) and Water Treatment Plant End Use applications The certifications confirm that G400+ meets the required health effects criteria for materials used in drinking water system components. This milestone enables Puraffinity to support installations where NSF-certified products are required, including municipal drinking water applications. “As a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA), I see this certification as an important step for broader municipal adoption, ” said Neal Megonnell, Chief Commercial Officer at Puraffinity. “It enables utilities to deploy our technology where NSF compliance is required, and it strengthens our ability to scale PFAS treatment solutions while maintaining the highest standards of safety and performance.” Designed for highly effective PFAS removal with rapid kinetics, the advanced adsorbent media G400+ supports compact system design and efficient treatment across a wide range of water matrices. Building on this milestone, the company continues to advance water treatment solutions that help utilities and industry address PFAS compliance and protect drinking water quality.
Puraffinity partners with the U.S. Army ERDC to evaluate Puratech G400, an advanced adsorbent for PFAS removal, through lab and field trials comparing its performance and cost-effectiveness to existing PFAS treatment technologies
Puraffinity signs first commercial agreement for full-scale deployment of its PFAS removal technology
An exclusive panel featuring Puraffinity CEO Vincent Caillaud, who will join industry leaders to discuss cutting-edge solutions for combatting PFAS, “forever chemicals”, in drinking water. With PFAS contamination presenting urgent health challenges due to their extreme persistence, mobility, and health impacts at trace levels, this session will spotlight the realities of PFAS in water supplies, the latest science driving regulatory change, and the next generation of removal technologies.
WEFTEC 2025 is the world’s largest annual water quality conference and exhibition, held September 27–October 1, 2025, at McCormick Place in Chicago. It gathers over 20,000 water professionals from 100+ countries to explore cutting-edge water technologies, attend technical sessions and workshops, and network with sector leaders. The event features a massive exhibition of advanced solutions, educational opportunities, and speciality pavilions focused on topics like sustainability and digital innovation. Our CEO, Vincent Caillaud , and CCO, Neal Megonnell , will be in attendance.
In the Building World-Class Teams webinar series, Henrik Hagemann and Jessica Middlesmiss will be discussing how to Create Cultures that Scale