For decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — often called “forever chemicals” — have been quietly accumulating in water systems across the United States. Their chemical stability makes them resistant to breakdown, allowing them to persist in soil, groundwater, and even the human body. Now, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking decisive steps to limit exposure by proposing stricter national drinking water standards that could reshape how utilities, municipalities, and testing laboratories operate.
Understanding the New EPA Proposal
The EPA’s newly proposed regulations set maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for six PFAS compounds, including PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, PFBS, and GenX chemicals. The proposed limits aim to protect communities from the long-term health risks linked to PFAS, such as thyroid disease, liver damage, cancer, and immune system effects.
The rule represents the most ambitious federal action to date against PFAS contamination. For the first time, the EPA is targeting multiple PFAS simultaneously, requiring water utilities nationwide to monitor, detect, and report even trace concentrations of these compounds.
While the proposed thresholds are measured in parts per trillion, compliance will demand more than precision — it will require a robust and scientifically validated testing infrastructure.
Why PFAS Regulations Matter
These new standards signal a significant regulatory shift for water utilities and public agencies. Once finalized, the rule will compel thousands of facilities to conduct regular sampling and verification testing. Municipalities that fail to meet the new MCLs may face enforcement actions, public notification obligations, and costly remediation mandates.
However, the challenge is not merely in meeting the limits — it’s in proving compliance through reliable, defensible analytical results. That’s where certified independent laboratories like CMDC Labs play a crucial role.
CMDC Labs: Supporting Utilities from Sampling to Confirmation
At CMDC Labs, PFAS testing isn’t just another analytical service — it’s part of our commitment to public safety, regulatory integrity, and scientific transparency. We partner directly with water utilities, consulting engineers, and municipal authorities to design complete end-to-end testing programs that withstand both regulatory and scientific scrutiny.
1. Precise Sampling and Chain of Custody
PFAS testing begins long before a sample reaches the lab. CMDC’s trained field teams and partners use PFAS-free sampling materials and follow strict EPA-approved collection protocols (such as Method 537.1 and Method 533). Every sample is tracked through a documented chain of custody to prevent contamination and ensure traceability.
2. Advanced Analytical Techniques
Inside our ISO 17025–accredited facility, CMDC employs liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) — the industry gold standard for PFAS detection. This technology enables detection at parts-per-trillion sensitivity, far below the levels proposed in the EPA’s new standards.
Our scientists use validated methods tailored to specific water matrices (groundwater, surface water, and finished drinking water), ensuring the highest accuracy and reproducibility across diverse conditions.
3. Data Validation and Reporting
Regulatory compliance doesn’t end with detection. CMDC provides comprehensive analytical reports that align with EPA and state documentation requirements, offering utilities complete transparency and defensibility for audits or public disclosures.
Our team also provides interpretive summaries — translating complex data into actionable insights so water system operators can make informed decisions about treatment and mitigation.
4. Continuous Compliance and Advisory Support
PFAS standards and testing expectations are evolving rapidly. CMDC Labs offers ongoing advisory services that help clients adapt to new thresholds, track emerging PFAS compounds, and maintain proactive compliance with both federal and state requirements.
We also assist utilities in trend monitoring and source tracking — identifying potential contamination points to minimize long-term exposure and remediation costs.
The Broader Impact: Protecting Communities and Ecosystems
PFAS contamination is not a localized issue; it’s a national environmental health challenge. Stricter standards are a step toward restoring public confidence in the safety of drinking water and ensuring that communities — from small towns to large metropolitan systems — have access to clean, reliable sources.
By working with independent laboratories like CMDC Labs, water providers can do more than comply with regulations. They can demonstrate leadership in environmental responsibility, strengthen stakeholder trust, and set new benchmarks for public health protection.
Looking Ahead
The EPA’s proposal is expected to finalize within the coming year, but the time to act is now. Early testing, baseline assessments, and data-driven monitoring programs will help utilities stay ahead of future compliance timelines and avoid last-minute disruptions.
CMDC Labs stands ready to help water utilities prepare for this regulatory transition — from precise sampling and PFAS quantification to data interpretation and long-term monitoring strategies.
Clean water is more than a regulatory goal — it’s a shared responsibility. With advanced testing capabilities and a commitment to scientific excellence, CMDC Labs continues to empower clients to meet the nation’s most demanding water quality standards with confidence.
Sources: EPA.gov, Newsweek, Chemical & Engineering News, Environmental Working Group (EWG)
