Environment & Climate
Former EPA officials say White House stalled national PFAS wastewater survey
A proposed study to identify industrial sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in wastewater has been pending White House review since October 2024.
The short version
- Former EPA officials say the Trump administration has stalled a nationwide survey designed to trace industrial discharges of PFAS chemicals into wastewater.
- The survey was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for required approval in October 2024, far exceeding the typical 60-day review timeline.
- Environmental and public health advocates argue the data is critical to crafting discharge regulations, while a wastewater association contends existing data is already sufficient.
- The EPA and OMB did not respond to requests for comment regarding the status of the review.
Key facts
- A proposed nationwide EPA survey of wastewater treatment plants was submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget in October 2024 and remains unapproved.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Former OMB staffer Stuart Shapiro noted that review periods at the agency typically take about 60 days.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- The planned survey aimed to question hundreds of wastewater treatment facilities and sample industrial waste inputs to identify major industrial sources of PFAS.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- PFAS exposure has been linked by researchers to developmental issues in children, weakened vaccine response, and higher risks of certain cancers.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Cynthia Finley of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies argued against the survey, stating sufficient discharge data already exists to pursue regulation.[ABC News · Associated Press]
- Neither the EPA nor the OMB responded to requests for comment regarding the stalled survey.[ABC News · Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unclear why OMB has not acted on the survey submission or whether the Trump administration intends to approve, revise, or discard it.[ABC News · Associated Press]