The following is a summary of the 2024 Regulatory Year in Review published in National Rural Water Association’s Rural Water magazine, First Quarter, 2025.

December 2024 marked the 50th anniversary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, signed into law on December 16, 1974. Over five decades, SDWA has strengthened public health protections and expanded drinking water oversight. Today, EPA regulates more than 90 contaminants and imposes extensive reporting requirements. NRWA recognizes the contributions of its members and affiliates—especially in small and rural communities—and remains committed to training, supporting, and advocating for water professionals as regulatory demands continue to grow.

In 2024, EPA advanced an unusually aggressive regulatory agenda affecting water systems nationwide. Many proposed and finalized rules carried significant implications for rural utilities. NRWA determined that rural water systems had a strong stake in these outcomes and responded by reviewing each rule and submitting formal comments. Through its Regulatory Committee, NRWA worked to ensure rural perspectives were represented and to highlight compliance challenges facing small systems.

Water System Restructuring Assessment Rule

EPA proposed the Water System Restructuring Assessment Rule in May 2024, establishing a framework for evaluating potential restructuring of public water systems. The rule would allow states to require mandatory assessments, conducted by EPA, states, third parties, or the systems themselves. NRWA raised concerns about cost, administrative burden, and local control, submitting formal comments in July 2024 to advocate for flexibility and protections for rural systems.

Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act (CIRCIA) Rule

In April 2024, CISA proposed cyber incident reporting requirements under CIRCIA for water systems serving more than 3,300 people. The rule would require reporting covered cyber incidents within 72 hours and ransomware payments within 24 hours. NRWA submitted comments independently and jointly with water sector partners, emphasizing the need for clear definitions, realistic timelines, and consideration of limited cybersecurity resources in rural utilities.

Lead and Copper Rule Improvements

EPA finalized the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements in October 2024, largely unchanged despite widespread sector concerns. The rule lowers the lead action level, requires full replacement of lead service lines within 10 years, and expands sampling and public notification requirements. NRWA joined industry partners in requesting a pause to implementation, which EPA denied. While funding sources were identified, NRWA remains concerned about the burden on small and rural systems.

PFAS Rule

EPA released its final PFAS rule in April 2024, setting strict monitoring, public notification, and treatment requirements. Systems must complete initial monitoring by 2027 and take corrective action by 2029 if maximum contaminant levels are exceeded. The rule establishes low MCLs for several PFAS compounds and a hazard index for mixtures. NRWA has expressed concern about the cost, technical challenges, and compliance timelines for rural water systems.

Looking Ahead

NRWA will continue monitoring federal actions and advocating for rural water interests. Through participation in national committees and workgroups, the association remains focused on ensuring regulations are practical, achievable, and adequately funded, while supporting water professionals serving small and rural communities.

Read the full article in Rural Water magazine >

About the NRWA PFAS Cost Recovery Program – Phase 2

In partnership with the National Rural Water Association and Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, we are sharing this call to action with you concerning the Phase 2 Settlement Deadline for the PFAS Cost Recovery Program.

Any public water system that has tested and found detections of ANY PFAS chemical, at any level, is eligible to receive an award from this settlement based on level of detection and maximum daily flows. This includes all 29 PFAS compounds included in the UCMR5 monitoring rule.

Phase 2 of the settlement is now open for systems that tested after June 22, 2023. The deadline to register in the program to be eligible for the settlement is July 12, 2026.

Act Now to Access Funding

There is no cost your utility systems to register for the program. Registration makes your system eligible to recover current and future costs. Systems that register will be eligible to recover costs associated with PFAS testing, treatment, and remediation if a settlement is reached.

Cost To Register: ZERO

Ongoing settlement and court proceeding for 12 other companies (future settlements). NO AWARD – NO COST. Register now to claim your share of the settlement funds.

Sign up for the program >
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Important Contacts

Hank Naughton
(978) 852-3643
hnaughton@napolilaw.com

Sam Wade
(580) 917-1425
swade@napolilaw.com