Associations endorse bill to hold PFAS polluters liable for cleanup

Five water sector associations representing drinking and clean water utility systems submitted a letter to Congress last week in support of the "Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act." The bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate and aims to hold polluters accountable for Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) cleanup costs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

The legislation was introduced by Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wy.). The "Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act" preserves the "polluter pays" principle for cleanups of PFAS under CERCLA by protecting drinking water and wastewater systems from cleanup liability when they properly dispose of water treatment byproducts containing PFAS.