California: Revisions Proposed for PFAS Notification, Response Levels

Proposed levels are based on recommendations from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment

By Michael Sims

In California, the State Water Board’s Division of Drinking Water (Division) is proposing:

  • A revised notification level of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
  • A revised notification level of 4 ppt for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
  • A revised response level of 10 ppt (based on a running annual average) for perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS).
  • A notification level of 1 part per billion (ppb) and a response level of 10 ppb (based on a running annual average) for perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA).

All proposed levels are based on recommendations from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), which included review of more than one peer reviewed study.

The informational item on the proposed is planned for the State Water Board’s August 6, 2025, meeting.

The proposed notification and response levels, the OEHHA recommendations, and links to the studies are available at the Division’s website at https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/certlic/drinkingwater/NotificationLevels.html.

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