Hoffer Water Treatment Facility Hosted Historic EPA Announcement
On Apr. 10, 2024 at the P.O. Hoffer Water Treatment Facility, PWC was proud to host U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan’s announcement of 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.’
This final rule represents the most significant step to protect public health under EPA’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap. The final rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses.
The EPA is also making unprecedented funding available to help ensure that all people have clean and safe water. In addition to today’s final rule, EPA is announcing nearly $1 billion in newly available funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment at public water systems and to help owners of private wells address PFAS contamination. This is part of a $9 billion investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help communities with drinking water impacted by PFAS and other emerging contaminants – the largest-ever investment in tackling PFAS pollution. An additional $12 billion is available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for general drinking water improvements, including addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS.
For nearly 10 years, PWC has been a leader in the Cape Fear River basin, advocating for the protection of the Cape Fear River through the reduction and prevention of the discharge of industrial pollution/PFAS into the river, our primary drinking water source.
“Since forever chemicals were first discovered in the Cape Fear River, PWC has been at the forefront of identifying treatment options and advocating for the prevention of discharging contaminants, including PFAS, into our source water,” said PWC CEO Timothy Bryant. “That focus and commitment has not changed. Ensuring clean drinking water for our community isn’t just a necessity, it’s about doing the right thing to safeguard health, environmental stability, and economic prosperity for this entire region.”
Regan commended PWC’s efforts to address PFAS contamination. “This water treatment facility right here has been on the frontlines finding ways to reduce PFAS exposure,” Regan said. “And cities like Fayetteville are showing that together we can get the job done.”
L-R: Emily Donovan, Co-Founder of Clean Cape Fear; Governor Roy Cooper; EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan; Brenda Mallory, Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality, The White House; State Attorney General Josh Stein; Mayor Mitch Colvin; and Ken Cook, President, Environmental Working Group
EPA Announces New Drinking Water Standards
