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Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1907| Senate 
| Updated: 5/27/2021
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (12)
Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop requirements and incentives to limit the discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into certain waters of the United States. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Within two years, the EPA must publish water quality criteria for each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. The water quality criteria must determine how much of these substances can be present in water before it is likely to harm human health. Within four years, the EPA must publish a final rule that establishes, for each priority industry category specified in the bill, effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the discharge of each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. Under the Clean Water Act, effluent limitations restrict the quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources (e.g., a discernible source such as a pipe) into navigable waters, the ocean, or other specified waters. In addition, the EPA must award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works for implementing the effluent limitations guidelines and standards.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2980
Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2019
May 27, 2021
Introduced in Senate
May 27, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
May 11, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7696
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2980
    Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2019


  • May 27, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 27, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • May 11, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7696
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7696: Clean Water Standards for PFAS 2.0 Act of 2022
  • S 117-4161: Clean Water Standards for PFAS 2.0 Act of 2022
  • HR 117-3622: Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesWater quality

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-1907| Senate 
| Updated: 5/27/2021
Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop requirements and incentives to limit the discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into certain waters of the United States. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Within two years, the EPA must publish water quality criteria for each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. The water quality criteria must determine how much of these substances can be present in water before it is likely to harm human health. Within four years, the EPA must publish a final rule that establishes, for each priority industry category specified in the bill, effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the discharge of each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. Under the Clean Water Act, effluent limitations restrict the quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources (e.g., a discernible source such as a pipe) into navigable waters, the ocean, or other specified waters. In addition, the EPA must award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works for implementing the effluent limitations guidelines and standards.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2980
Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2019
May 27, 2021
Introduced in Senate
May 27, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
May 11, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7696
Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2980
    Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2019


  • May 27, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 27, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


  • May 11, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7696
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Kirsten E. Gillibrand

Democratic Senator

New York

Cosponsors (12)
Dianne Feinstein (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Charles E. Schumer (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Robert P. Casey (Democratic)Sheldon Whitehouse (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Environment and Public Works Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7696: Clean Water Standards for PFAS 2.0 Act of 2022
  • S 117-4161: Clean Water Standards for PFAS 2.0 Act of 2022
  • HR 117-3622: Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresCongressional oversightEnvironmental healthEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental regulatory proceduresHazardous wastes and toxic substancesWater quality