U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Assistant Administrator for Water Jess Kramer has announced the launch of a new agency initiative called PFAS OUTreach — or PFAS OUT. The effort will foster proactive work with communities and water systems to reduce exposure to PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, years ahead of compliance with federal requirements.
“Protecting Americans from exposure to PFAS in drinking water is a priority for EPA. That’s why I’m thrilled to launch the PFAS OUT initiative to help water systems accelerate actions to reduce exposure to PFOA and PFOS,” said Kramer. “These contaminants are well studied, their health impacts are well understood. Through PFAS OUT, EPA will help protect public health by — for the very first time — proactively engaging with water systems, states, and other partners to address drinking water contamination.”
EPA said PFAS OUT is a “proactive outreach initiative” to provide information on resources, including funding and technical assistance, to drinking water systems with PFAS challenges. This outreach will provide practical, interactive location-specific resources, including webinars and information, on how to access funding and technical assistance to address PFAS.
EPA said it aims to directly engage about 3,000 drinking water systems nationwide that have known challenges with PFOA and PFOS, ensuring they are aware of the support available to them (approximately 2% of water systems). All water systems will be able to access PFAS OUT resources and can secure technical assistance through EPA’s RealWaterTA.
Learn more about the PFAS OUT initiative.
Small, rural, and disadvantaged water systems often have fewer resources to navigate complex contamination challenges. PFAS OUT is specifically designed to ensure these communities are not left behind, helping every affected system reduce exposure now and position itself for full compliance with enforceable drinking water standards in the coming years.
EPA said the initiative reflects the agency’s commitment to cooperative federalism, a core pillar of EPA Administrator Zeldin’s Lee Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, by working hand-in-hand with states, utilities, and local partners to deliver durable, science-based solutions that protect public health.
Recent Action on Contaminants
On April 2, 2026, EPA announced a new set of actions to safeguard the nation’s drinking water from microplastics, pharmaceuticals, forever chemicals, and dozens of other contaminants.
EPA also released the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List for public comment. This critical tool drives research, funding, and future decisions on regulating emerging threats in public water systems under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The draft CCL 6 includes four contaminant groups—microplastics, pharmaceuticals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and disinfection byproducts—as well as 75 chemicals and nine microbes that may be found in drinking water.
We need to quit using our drinking water to flush toilets!!! The water and waste forms sewage which is piped to wastewater treatment plants where they try to treat it. What is not removed ends up back in our rivers and streams and ultimately into our drinking water. Stop that cycle!!!!!’