Timeline of Standards Development
October 2021
In the US EPA’s October 18, 2021 publication of the PFAS Strategic Roadmap, the EPA stated that it expected to propose MCLs for PFOA and PFOS in the fall of 2022, with a final rule to follow in late 2023.
May 2022
DEQ provided an informational presentation to the full EMC on PFAS in North Carolina, including updates on Chemours, EPA actions, the prevalence of PFAS in NC and the status of regulations in other states.
View the May 2022 Presentation
June 2022
On June 7, DEQ released the North Carolina Action Strategy for PFAS, outlining state actions to complement the federal actions and address PFAS, five years after the discovery of GenX in the Cape Fear River. A key component of the Strategy is proposing regulatory standards for groundwater, surface water and drinking water. Read the NC Action Strategy for PFAS
- Also in June, the EPA published interim updated Lifetime Health Advisory levels of 0.004 ppt for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS, as well as final LHAs of 10 ppt for GenX chemicals and 2,000 ppt for (PFBS).
July 2022
DEQ provided a PFAS update to the Full EMC, detailing recent EPA actions, the Action Strategy for PFAS and how DEQ is moving forward. Read the July Minutes Summary
March 2023
The EPA announced the proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation to establish Maximum Contaminant Levels for six PFAS.
June 2023
One year after the Action Strategy was released, DEQ announced it was moving forward with rulemaking for groundwater and surface water standards.
July 2023
DEQ presented information items on PFAS standards rulemaking concepts and federal actions to the EMC Committees.
View Presentation to the Groundwater Committee
View the Presentation to the Water Quality Committee
November 2023
DEQ provided an informational presentation to the full EMC on PFAS Water Quality Standards rulemaking.
January 2024
DEQ began stakeholder meetings on proposed rulemaking, with a 02L Stakeholder Meeting on January 22, 2024, and virtual 02B Stakeholder Meetings on January 29 and January 30, 2024.
DEQ gave informational presentations to the Committees on affected sources and the cost-benefit analysis approach.
View the January presentation to the Water Quality Committee
View the January presentation to the Groundwater Committee
February 2024
DEQ held 02L Stakeholder Meetings on February 8 and February 22, 2024.
March 2024
DEQ gave informational presentations to the EMC Committees.
View the PFAS Update on Stakeholder Meetings and Status of EPA Actions presentation to the Water Quality Committee.
View the PFAS Groundwater Quality Standards Rulemaking Update to the Groundwater Committee
April 2024
On April 10, EPA announced final National Primary Drinking Water Standards for six PFAS.
May 2024
DEQ’s action item on the PFAS Groundwater Quality Standards was changed to an informational presentation before the Groundwater Committee.
Read Secretary Biser’s Letter urging the EMC to take action
View the Rulemaking Update Presentation | Rule Amendment | Regulatory Impact Analysis
An informational presentation to the Water Quality Committee was on the agenda but the committee did not hear it.
View the Update on PFAS Surface Water Quality Standards Rulemaking
DEQ held 02B Stakeholder Meetings on May 30 and May 31, 2024.
The Office of State Budget and Management certified the regulatory impact analysis or fiscal note for the 2L Groundwater standards. Read the Fiscal Note
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content
- Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
- Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
- Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
- Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including electronic waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement
- Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density
- Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. | Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including electronic waste, and other chemicals that meet their commitments and obligations in transmitting information as required by each relevant agreement |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. | Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.3: By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought, and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world. | Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area |
Source: deq.nc.gov
