SE Wyoming News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), a member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), has expressed concerns regarding the potential negative impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new drinking water standards on Wyoming's rural water providers.

"The people of Wyoming need access to clean, safe drinking water, and I support creating a standard for PFAS and PFOS levels in drinking water; however, I am worried about the standard the EPA is putting in place," said Senator Lummis. "These treatment levels seem nearly unattainable, and I have serious concerns over the cost of compliance. Wyoming taxpayers and ratepayers should not be responsible for this cost, it should be paid by those causing the pollution."

The EPA's recent announcement establishes the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water, specifically PFAS and PFOS, at four parts per trillion.

Senator Lummis' apprehensions revolve around the feasibility and financial burden that the new standards may impose on rural water providers in Wyoming. She emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water for the residents of Wyoming while also highlighting the need for responsible parties to bear the costs of pollution control measures.

This development underscores the ongoing dialogue surrounding environmental regulations and their implications for water quality maintenance in rural areas, particularly in states like Wyoming.