Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act

This bill would protect many water and wastewater services from paying cleanup costs under the federal hazardous-waste cleanup law when PFAS are released as part of normal water work, as long as they follow all applicable laws. Covered groups include public water systems, publicly or privately owned treatment works, cities with stormwater permits, local government water agencies that sell water wholesale, and contractors doing PFAS handling or disposal for them. The protection applies only to certain PFAS that are listed as hazardous under federal law.

The shield is limited. It only applies when these entities handle PFAS during and after moving or treating water and do so in line with permits and other laws—for example, managing biosolids under the Clean Water Act, discharging treated water with a permit, disposing of treatment byproducts like filters or media, or storing/moving water to conserve supply. There is no protection if the entity acts with gross negligence or willful misconduct.

• Who is affected: Public water systems; publicly or privately owned treatment works; municipalities with stormwater permits; local government wholesale water agencies; and their contractors handling PFAS.
• What changes: These groups would be shielded from cleanup liability for certain PFAS releases tied to normal water operations, if they follow all laws and permits.
• Limits: No shield if they are grossly negligent or engage in willful misconduct.
• Examples of covered activities: Managing biosolids, permitted discharges, disposing of treatment byproducts (like filters or carbon media), and storing or moving water for supply needs.