The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission announced on Mar. 10 that it will hold three public hearings in April to gather comments on proposed rules for monitoring and minimizing three types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater discharged into the state’s surface waters.
The hearings are part of a public comment period beginning March 16, allowing residents to share their views on new regulations aimed at addressing PFAS contamination. These chemicals, often called “forever chemicals,” do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in humans and animals. An estimated 3.5 million people in North Carolina drink tap water with PFAS levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s health-based standard, which is set to take effect in coming years.
The first hearing will be held at Ferguson Auditorium at AB-Tech Community College in Asheville on April 7 at 6 p.m., with sign-in starting at 5 p.m. The second hearing is scheduled for April 20 at the Archdale Building in Raleigh, also beginning at 6 p.m., with parking available after 5 p.m. across North Salisbury Street. The third hearing will take place April 23 at Wilmington City Hall’s Skyline Center, where attendees should use the South lot via Brunswick Street.
Written comments can be submitted by email or mail from March 16 through June 15. The commission is seeking input not only on the proposed rule adoptions—specifically rules 15A NCAC 02b .0512 and 15A NCAC 02H .0923—but also on whether it would be scientifically defensible to establish a screening threshold for PFOS, PFOA, and GenX as a trigger for ongoing monitoring requirements, and whether applicability should be limited to certain industrial classifications known to use or discharge PFAS.
The proposed rules would require some industrial dischargers and significant industrial users to develop plans for reducing direct or indirect discharges of these chemicals into surface waters. Copies of prepared remarks will be accepted at each hearing, and speaking time may be limited based on attendance.
More information about the proposed rules is available online.
