Pace® PFAS News and Views – November 2026
- By: Lindsay Boone, M.Sc.
- Tags: Pace® PFAS News and Views, PFAS
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PFAS in the news this month: a federal bill to compensate firefighters for PFAS-related illness, new EU limits on PFAS in apparel, drinking water and biosolids sampling requirements advancing in several states, and upcoming industry events and webinars.
FEDERAL ACTIONS
EPA Releases PFAS TECH Strategy
In October, EPA released its PFAS Technology Evaluation, Coordination, and Harmonization (PFAS TECH) Strategy, a two-year plan to accelerate the development of technologies that detect, remove, and destroy PFAS. The strategy focuses on research and development, pilot-scale demonstrations with utilities and other partners, and practical tools for states and communities.
As new technologies move from the lab to the field, proving that they work is essential. The Pace® Center of Excellence for PFAS Treatability Studies can help technology developers, utilities, and consultants validate PFAS removal, remediation, and destruction technologies with reliable data. Reach out to Pace® to learn more about PFAS Treatability Studies.
Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act of 2026 Introduced in Congress
Legislation introduced in Congress on September 16, 2026, would enact the Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act of 2026 (H.R. 10462). If passed, the bill would direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to establish a program allowing firefighters with two or more years of service, and who can show evidence of PFAS-related injury, to file a claim for compensation; for a PFAS-related death, one heir of a deceased firefighter could file a claim. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be required to review claims within 120 days of submission.
EU UPDATE
New EU Limits on PFHxA in Apparel Takes Effect
The EU’s restriction on PFHxA, its salts, and related substances under REACH Annex XVII (adopted via Regulation (EU) 2024/2462) became applicable on October 10, 2026. Clothing, clothing accessories, and footwear sold to the general public may no longer contain PFHxA/salts at or above 25 ppb or PFHxA-related substances at or above 1,000 ppb (homogeneous material). The restriction will expand to cover all other textiles, leather, furs, and hides starting October 10, 2027.
KEY STATE ACTIONS
Illinois
On September 30, U.S. EPA issued a tentative approval of Illinois’ revised Public Water System Supervision program, which would grant the state primacy (enforcement authority) over the federal 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. The approval becomes final October 30 absent a qualifying public hearing request.
Illinois adopted its own PFAS drinking water standards matching the federal 2024 rule earlier this year; community water systems must complete initial monitoring by April 25, 2027, begin ongoing compliance monitoring April 26, 2027, and comply with the applicable MCLs by April 26, 2029. Because these are Illinois’ own state regulations rather than an automatic mirror of the federal rule, they would not change automatically if EPA finalizes its pending proposals to extend PFOA/PFOS compliance deadlines to 2031 and rescind standards for GenX, PFHxS, and PFNA and use of the Hazard Index — potentially leaving Illinois enforcing broader requirements than the federal baseline it is taking over.
Pennsylvania
On October 5, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 980 by a 48-1 vote on October 5. Sponsored by Sens. Gene Yaw and Nick Miller, the bill restricts the manufacture, sale, distribution, and use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam. It now moves to the House, where a companion bill (HB 1261) already passed unanimously in 2025.
Pennsylvania House Bill 2883, officially introduced on October 28, 2026, would prohibit the sale and use of pesticides containing PFAS in the state when safer alternatives are available. The bill has been referred to the House Environmental and Natural Resource Protection Committee.
Washington
Under Washington’s biosolids PFAS requirements, most facilities covered by the Statewide General Permit for Biosolids Management must sample their biosolids for PFAS between January 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028, following a schedule set by the state Department of Ecology based on operation type and annual biosolids production. Before sampling, facilities must submit an approved Sampling and Analysis Plan (SAP) at least 60 days ahead of their first sampling event; for facilities on the January 1, 2027 start date, that puts the SAP deadline at November 2, 2026.
Wisconsin
On October 28, 2026, Governor Evers approved the Department of Natural Resources rule (DG-02-25) for PFAS groundwater standards, which the state Natural Resources Board had adopted earlier that day. The rule sets groundwater standards of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS; 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX); and 2,000 ppt for PFBS. The rule now goes to the state Legislature for review before it can take effect.
EVENTS
If you are in the area or attending one of these upcoming events, we would love to meet with you. Contact us to request a meeting.
NC ONE Water Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC, November 2–4.
SC Operators Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC, November 2. Presentation: Biosolids Analysis for PFAS: Challenges, Considerations, and Options, November 2, 1:00–1:30 PM EST.
North Carolina Pretreatment Consortium Annual Conference and Industry Day, Greensboro, NC, November 4. Presentation: PFAS Impacts on Industrial Users, November 4.
RemFest, Phoenix, AZ, November 5. Presentation: USC PFAS Panel, November 5, 2:40–3:15 PM MST.
Geology Days, Saratoga Springs, NY, November 11–13. Presentation: PFAS Analytical Methods for Geologists: Applications in Soil, Groundwater, and Brownfield Site Characterization, November 12, 12:40 PM.
WEBINARS
On-Demand Webinar: U.S. EPA UCMR 6 Proposal Issued—What’s Next?
Pace® experts break down EPA’s proposed sixth Unfiltered Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6), what it means for water systems, and how to prepare for the next round of nationwide PFAS monitoring.
Keep Pace with PFAS
PFAS regulations keep evolving at every level of government, and staying current is part of staying in compliance. We’ll keep tracking the federal, state, and international developments that matter most and bringing you the updates each month. If you have questions about how any of these changes affect your testing or reporting requirements, reach out to connect with a PFAS expert.
