ALBANY, N.Y. — New York lawmakers are pushing to tighten the state’s drinking water standards for several so-called “forever chemicals,” as the Trump administration moves to change parts of federal PFAS regulations.
Legislation that passed both chambers of the state Legislature would lower New York’s maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS from 10 parts per trillion to no higher than 4 parts per trillion.
The measure would also establish limits of no higher than 10 parts per trillion for three additional PFAS chemicals: PFNA, PFHxS and HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large group of chemicals that can persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body. Research has linked exposure to certain PFAS with health effects including higher cholesterol, liver changes, pregnancy complications and some cancers.
Rob Hayes, senior director of clean water for Environmental Advocates NY, said lowering New York’s limits could affect communities whose drinking water meets the state’s current standard but contains PFOA or PFOS at levels above the lower federal limit.
“There are as many as 430 communities across the state of New York that have PFOA and PFOS in their drinking water above the federal limit, but below the state limit,” Hayes said. “And that means that they’re in a limbo phase right now.”
The legislation comes as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reconsiders parts of the federal PFAS regulatory framework.
The EPA is maintaining the federal maximum contaminant level of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS but has proposed allowing qualifying water systems to request an additional two years, until 2031, to comply.
In a separate proposal, the EPA is seeking to rescind federal drinking water regulations for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, as well as a hazard index used for mixtures of several PFAS chemicals.
State Sen. Brian Kavanagh, a Manhattan Democrat who sponsors the New York legislation, said the measure received support from lawmakers in both parties.
“I think New Yorkers, Democrats and Republicans, my colleagues in both houses of legislature, really understood that this was an important step to take and that our water systems can comply with it,” Kavanagh said.
Kavanagh said he has spoken with officials from the state Department of Health and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office about the legislation, though he has not discussed it directly with Hochul. He said he expects the governor to sign the measure once it reaches her desk.
Implementing lower PFAS limits could also require some public water systems to make infrastructure improvements.
Hayes said systems exceeding the limits could need to install filtration technology or find another water source. Kavanagh acknowledged those improvements could carry costs and said the state should assist water systems that need help complying.
The issue comes as some Western New York communities are already confronting separate concerns about environmental contamination.
Families in Niagara County have spent months seeking answers from state and federal officials over radiological contamination affecting properties in the area. That contamination is separate from PFAS, but environmental advocates say such cases demonstrate how concerns about contaminants can directly affect communities.
Spectrum News 1 reached out to Hochul’s office for her position on the PFAS legislation and whether she intends to sign it. A response had not been received as of publication.