The agenda for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) annual Drinking Water Workshop, scheduled for Sep. 17,-19, 2024 in Cincinnati, is focused on per-and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) requirements and the drinking-water regulations, compliance and treatment-technologies that water systems will have to implement to meet PFAS standards, according to the agency.

The workshop will include technical presentation sessions, in-depth training sessions, breakout group roundtable discussions, topical deep dive and posters session, regional networking session, and other networking opportunities, says the EPA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Water that are hosting the workshop in partnership with the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA).

EPA recommends that officials from tribal, state, and territory agencies responsible for public water systems should attend the workshop that will feature technical, regulatory, and communication experts.

On April 10, 2024, the EPA issued a final rule that sets drinking water standards for five individual PFAS substances, including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (also known as “GenX Chemicals”). In addition, on April 19, 2024 EPA issued a second PFAS rule designating the PFAS substances perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) as hazardous substances because those chemicals have been linked to cancers, immune and developmental damage to infants and children, and has some impact on the liver and heart.

The agenda includes presentations on “PFAS and Lead Regulations”, and “Community Engagement and Risk Communications for PFAS and Lead”, and includes sessions such as:

• PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation: Initial Monitoring Requirements and EPA-State Implementation Workgroup
• PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Implementation in Kentucky
• EPA Lead Reduction in Drinking Water Updates: Focus on the Lead and Copper Rule
• Communicating Risks and Engaging Communities on PFAS and Lead
• Ohio’s Lead Strategy and Local Engagement Toolkit
• Communicating About Lead: Michigan's 1/5th Sampling, Lead/Galvanized Service Lines, and Public Advisories
• Using Research to Understand Your Audience Perceptions and Needs During a Water Emergency