TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, the Biden administration issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard to protect communities from exposure to harmful per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals. PFAS chemicals are estimated to potentially contaminate the drinking water of more than 200 million Americans, and the severe health impacts, including reproductive and developmental effects, are still not fully understood.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also announced nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, supported by Rep. Grijalva, to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems.
Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07) issued the following statement:
“As a lifelong resident of the Tucson southside, my community is all too familiar with the toxic chemicals that polluted our drinking water and the adverse health impacts that followed. I’ve long called for enforceable standards to protect the public’s health and supply of drinking water, and today, President Biden delivered. This historic action will protect communities and provide enforcement to make certain that drinking water is safe around the country.”
“While I appreciate the Biden administration’s commitment to investing in drinking water infrastructure upgrades, environmental justice, and our collective public health, it’s critical that public water systems across our nation work urgently to exceed the established timelines. We must continue to prioritize protecting Americans from these chemicals and it will require a sustained federal response. That’s why I am calling on Congress to make funding across appropriations bills to address PFAS a priority because everyone deserves access to clean air, water, and a healthy environment.”
In 2021, Rep. Grijalva urged the EPA to implement more robust and rapid regulation of all PFAS chemicals in water sources across the country. He continues to support legislation, like the PFAS Action Act, to provide permanent protection for communities from toxic chemicals and immediate remediation for the thousands of contaminated sites found throughout our nation.