EPA Wants to Roll Back PFAS Limits. These States Are Keeping Their Own

In May 2026, EPA proposed dropping federal drinking water limits for four PFAS "forever chemicals" and giving some utilities two extra years to meet the limits for the other two. For many households, though, the federal rule is no longer the number that matters most. A growing list of states have their own enforceable PFAS standards, and several have written the 2024 federal limits into state law so that a federal rollback would not undo them where they live.

Where the Federal Rule Stands

EPA's April 2024 rule set the first national PFAS limits: 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) each for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX), and a Hazard Index for mixtures of those three plus PFBS. Utilities have until April 2029 to comply.

On May 18, 2026, EPA proposed two changes. One would rescind the PFHxS, PFNA, GenX and Hazard Index limits. The other would keep 4.0 ppt for PFOA and PFOS but let qualifying systems apply for extra time, to 2031. Comments closed July 20, 2026. As of November 1, 2026, neither proposal had been finalized, so all six federal limits remain on the books. Our explainer on what EPA's rollback would change covers the federal details.

State PFAS Standards, Verified

These are enforceable state standards we confirmed on state agency pages or in state regulations. All values are in parts per trillion (ppt). "Federal values" means 4.0 for PFOA and PFOS, 10 each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a Hazard Index of 1.

The "six PFAS combined" standard in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Maine covers PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA and PFDA. Two of those, PFHpA and PFDA, are not covered by the federal rule at all.

Notes behind the table

• New Jersey was the first state to set a PFAS drinking water limit, for PFNA in 2018. In May 2025, the state's environmental commissioner asked its Drinking Water Quality Institute to recommend updated limits covering all six federally regulated PFAS. We found no proposal yet to adopt 4 ppt.
• New York's legislature passed a bill (S3207B) in June 2026 that would lower the state's PFOA and PFOS limits to 4 ppt and add 10 ppt limits for PFNA, PFHxS and GenX. As of our check, the state Senate's site showed no action by the Governor.
• Michigan's limits are under challenge by 3M. The state Court of Appeals ruled for 3M in 2023 and again in September 2025 after the Michigan Supreme Court sent the case back. News reports say the limits remain in effect while the litigation continues; we could not confirm the current status on a court docket.
• Vermont previously had a 20 ppt limit for five PFAS combined. It now lists the federal values as its state standards, effective January 1, 2026. Wisconsin, which set a 70 ppt combined standard for PFOA and PFOS in 2022, adopted the federal values effective July 1, 2026.
• Maine has also adopted the federal limits by reference. They take over from the interim standard in April 2027, with full compliance by April 2029.
• Rhode Island says it will adopt EPA's limits on the federal timeline.

States with guidance levels only

Several states publish PFAS levels that are not enforceable drinking water limits. California revised its notification levels in October 2025 to 4.0 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, with response levels of 10 ppt (PFOA) and 40 ppt (PFOS); utilities must report exceedances, but these are not legal limits. Connecticut uses action levels, and Minnesota uses health-based values that public water systems are not required to meet. Delaware enacted a law in January 2026 setting reporting and notification thresholds at the federal values; its adoption of the federal rule as a state treatment standard was still a proposal when we checked.

How States Are Responding to the Rollback

• Illinois was first to respond publicly. On May 21, 2026, three days after EPA's announcement, the Illinois EPA said its state standards, including those for PFHxS, PFNA, GenX and the Hazard Index, remain in place regardless of federal action. See our Illinois PFAS coverage.
• 17 attorneys general filed comments on July 21, 2026 arguing that the rescission would violate the Safe Drinking Water Act's anti-backsliding provision, which bars EPA from weakening an existing standard. The coalition includes Illinois, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington and Wisconsin.
• Wisconsin's rule adopting the federal values took effect July 1, 2026, about six weeks after EPA's proposal.

What This Means for Your Tap

If you live in a state with its own older standard (New Jersey, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine), your utility already has to meet that standard today, years before the federal 2029 date. Most of those limits are higher than the federal 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, so water can meet the state standard and still be above the federal one.

If your state adopted the federal values (Illinois, Wisconsin, Washington, Vermont, and Maine from 2027), the PFHxS, PFNA, GenX and Hazard Index limits stay in state law even if EPA finalizes their removal, unless your state changes its own rules. Compliance timing follows each state's rule; Illinois and Washington follow the federal 2029 date.

Everywhere else, your protection depends on the federal rule. If EPA finalizes its proposals, the limits for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX would disappear in your state, and some systems could get until 2031 to meet the PFOA and PFOS limits.

How to Check Your Own Water

1. Read your utility's water quality report. In states with PFAS standards, results usually appear in the main table. Compare each result to your state's standard and to the federal 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS.
2. Look up the national test data. EPA's final UCMR 5 results cover nearly every system serving more than 3,300 people. Our summary explains how to find your system.
3. Check your state program. State PFAS pages, listed in the sources below, often post sampling results by water system.
4. On a private well? Neither state nor federal limits apply. Test through a certified lab.

If your water is above a level you are comfortable with, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA and PFOS reduction, and confirm the model in NSF's listings. Our PFAS filter buying guide covers the options. Boiling does not remove PFAS.