Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021

To require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to develop effluent limitations guidelines and standards and water quality criteria for PFAS under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, to provide Federal grants to publicly owned treatment works to implement such guidelines and standards, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021 2. Clean Water Act effluent limitations guidelines and standards and water quality criteria for PFAS (a) Deadlines (1) Water quality criteria Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register human health water quality criteria for each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of such substances. (2) Effluent limitations guidelines and standards for priority industry categories As soon as practicable, but not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator shall publish in the Federal Register a final rule establishing, for each priority industry category, effluent limitations guidelines and standards, in accordance with the Federal Water Pollution Control Act ( 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. (b) Notification The Administrator shall notify the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate of each publication made under this section. (c) Implementation assistance for publicly owned treatment works (1) In general The Administrator shall award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works, to be used to implement effluent limitations guidelines and standards developed by the Administrator for a perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, or class of such substances. (2) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this subsection $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator (2) Effluent limitation The term effluent limitation 33 U.S.C. 1362 (3) Measurable The term measurable (A) a test procedure promulgated or approved in accordance with part 136 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations); or (B) another analytical method for measuring a perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, or class of those substances, if the analytical method is validated by the Administrator. (4) Perfluoroalkyl substance The term perfluoroalkyl substance (5) Polyfluoroalkyl substance The term polyfluoroalkyl substance (6) Priority industry category The term priority industry category (A) Organic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers, as identified in part 414 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (B) Pulp, paper, and paperboard, as identified in part 430 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (C) Textile mills, as identified in part 410 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (D) Electroplating, as identified in part 413 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (E) Metal finishing, as identified in part 433 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (F) Leather tanning and finishing, as identified in part 425 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (G) Paint formulating, as identified in part 446 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (H) Electrical and electronic components, as identified in part 469 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (I) Plastics molding and forming, as identified in part 463 of title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations). (7) Treatment works The term treatment works 33 U.S.C. 1292 (8) Water quality criteria The term water quality criteria 33 U.S.C. 1314(a)(1)

Summary: Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2021 This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop requirements and incentives to limit the discharge of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into certain waters of the United States. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Within two years, the EPA must publish water quality criteria for each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. The water quality criteria must determine how much of these substances can be present in water before it is likely to harm human health. Within four years, the EPA must publish a final rule that establishes, for each priority industry category specified in the bill, effluent limitations guidelines and standards for the discharge of each measurable perfluoroalkyl substance, polyfluoroalkyl substance, and class of PFAS. Under the Clean Water Act, effluent limitations restrict the quantities, rates, and concentrations of chemical, physical, biological, and other constituents which are discharged from point sources (e.g., a discernible source such as a pipe) into navigable waters, the ocean, or other specified waters. In addition, the EPA must award grants to owners and operators of publicly owned treatment works for implementing the effluent limitations guidelines and standards.