Kansas City’s water was last tested for toxic chemicals by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2013 and found to be safe. But the new EPA rules would set higher standards for what is considered “safe.”
A new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposal issued Tuesday would tighten limits on toxic “forever chemicals” in Missouri’s and Kansas’ drinking water.
If finalized, the rule would establish the first national standard for PFAS — which stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances -- in public water supplies, bringing uniformity to a patchwork of state regulations.
States like Missouri and Kansas that do not have PFAS limits would have to enact regulations for PFAS in drinking water.