U.S. EPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Radhika Fox, testified October 20 before the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee (EPW) on the federal response to the presence and impacts of PFAS chemicals on our environment. The hearing, “Evaluating the Federal Response to the Persistence and Impacts of PFAS Chemicals on our Environment,” comes the same week as EPA’s release of its PFAS Roadmap (see related story). A recording of the hearing can be viewed here.

Senators utilized the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to the PFAS Roadmap and draw attention to localized PFAS issues in their home states.

There were a number of specific questions from senators about how EPA may seek to protect clean water utilities from excessive regulation for PFAS since they are passive receivers of the chemicals. Fox did not give specific answers to those questions, indicating it may be an issue ultimately up to courts to decide. Fox was also asked questions about PFAS and biosolids, and she indicated EPA has an ongoing risk assessment on the issue as laid out in the Agency’s PFAS Roadmap.  Senators additionally took the opportunity during the hearing to raise other concerns regarding EPA’s Office of Water priorities.

Members with any questions about this week’s hearing or NACWA’s Congressional PFAS Advocacy can contact Kristina Surfus, NACWA’s Managing Director, Government Affairs.