American Water (NYSE: AWK) confirmed today that it is prepared to meet the final United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) national drinking water standards for PFAS, which were issued just today.
“While we are assessing any changes from the proposed rule to the final rule, we have been preparing for full compliance, from capital planning to engineering to water quality. We have already gained significant experience from complying with individual state PFAS requirements and have been doing so for quite some time. We strongly support these efforts to protect public health,” said M. Susan Hardwick, President and CEO of American Water.
The following are just a few examples of where American Water has been actively treating PFAS in drinking water across its national footprint:
New Jersey American Water constructed a 3 million gallon per day ion exchange treatment system for PFAS removal at one of its well stations for drinking water supplied from that well field. This innovative project earned New Jersey American Water the New Jersey Alliance for Action’s Leading Infrastructure Project Award in February 2021.
Pennsylvania American Water recently installed a new granular activated carbon treatment system for PFAS removal at one of its water treatment plants. The new treatment process was brought online in 2023.
California American Water placed a PFAS treatment unit into operation in 2017 at one of its groundwater facilities to address elevated PFAS levels.
“While we continue to prepare for compliance with the new rules, we are advocating for funds to help mitigate compliance costs from both those who created the problem through participation in multi-district litigation and government funding. Further, we believe that all water and wastewater utility providers, whether privately or municipally owned, should have equal access to any Federal and/or state funding related to treating PFAS. We’ll also continue to advocate for permanent Federal funding for a water and wastewater low-income program,” added Hardwick.
American Water also joins other water organizations urging the U.S. EPA, Congress, and other decision-makers to implement policies that will exempt all water and wastewater systems from financial liability for PFAS under CERCLA.
To learn more about all that American Water is doing related to mitigating PFAS, click here.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
