WA’s public water systems would need $1.6 billion for initial PFAS cleanup, state officials say

SEATTLE — The Environmental Protection Agency announced the first national drinking water standard for six so-called forever chemicals Wednesday, a change that could cost Washington public water utilities an estimated $1.6 billion, according to state officials.

The EPA’s legally enforceable limits for two of the most persistent of these chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, are set at 4 parts per trillion, which is less than half the advisory levels that were put in place by Washington state in 2021. The EPA is also setting a nonenforceable goal of zero, which the agency says reflects the latest science that shows there is no level of exposure to these contaminants without risk of health effects, including certain cancers.

The state Department of Health anticipates about 10% of all public water syst