The Trump administration is rejecting calls from Democratic governors and environmentalists to require monitoring of microplastics in tap water, arguing that more research is needed before data on the tiny particles can be collected.
In a draft rule Friday, EPA proposed 30 contaminants for water utilities to track and report, including multiple common and potentially toxic “forever chemicals.” Issued once every five years, the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule is the primary means for tracking water pollution nationwide, helping keep consumers informed of pollutants lurking in water and setting the stage for regulations.
“Across the country, Americans have concerns about exposure to unregulated chemicals in their drinking water, and the Trump EPA is ensuring these concerns are addressed with gold standard science,” Jess Kramer, EPA assistant administrator for water, said in a news release.
But despite a request from blue states to include microplastics in the rule, the agency said it will instead prioritize developing testing methods for the substances so they can potentially be monitored in the future. The next rule would be issued in 2031.
