Clean Water Act Methods Update Rule 22 for the Analysis of Contaminants in Effluent: EPA Proposed Rule – Deadline To Be Announced

Dec 13, 2024 | Comment and Consultation

The Clean Water Act requires EPA to promulgate test methods that analyze pollutants in wastewater. On December 6, EPA released a proposed rule to add or revise analytical methods, or test procedures for measuring pollutants in wastewater. Specifically, EPA is proposing to add new agency test methods for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) chemicals and add methods previously published by voluntary consensus standard bodies such as ASTM International, or other vendors. When finalized, industries, states, and municipalities would use these methods for reporting under the EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit program. The agency will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 30 days upon its publication in the Federal Register.