California Bill Would Set State Drinking Water Limits for PFAS in Case EPA Standards are Weakened
Image credit: Andres Siimon via Unsplash
Citing concerns that the Trump Administration could roll back or weaken drinking water standards for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Biden Administration, California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-46) has introduced Assembly Bill (AB) 794, which would set state-level drinking water standards for PFAS.
In April 2024, EPA issued the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard for PFAS, setting legally enforceable limits for six PFAS of concern (PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS). Exposure to these “forever chemicals” has been linked to cancer, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.
According to a statement from Assemblymember Gabriel’s office, lawsuits filed by water utilities and chemical companies challenging these federal standards in court have raised concerns that the Trump Administration could weaken or roll back EPA protections. The new administration has already withdrawn a pending Biden-era EPA plan to limit PFAS in manufacturing waste discharged into waterways.
AB 794 would address these concerns by requiring the California State Water Board to adopt and enforce state-level regulations to protect Californians from PFAS exposure. The legislation would direct the State Water Board to establish emergency regulations that are at least as protective as current federal standards, while also allowing the state to conduct its own analysis and adopt even stronger protections if warranted.
The bill was introduced on February 18, 2025, and may be heard in Committee on March 21.
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