Board hears proposed PFAS notification‑response changes: PFOA/PFOS NLs aligned to 4 ng/L, PFHXS RL set to 10 ppt running annual average; OEHHA recommends 1 µg/L

The State Water Resources Control Board on Aug. 6 discussed proposed revisions to notification and response levels for several PFAS chemicals and received a health‑policy recommendation from the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) to set a notification level for PFHXA at 1 microgram per liter (1 µg/L).

The discussion was informational; staff said the deputy director will follow the statutory notice and comment process before issuing final notification/response levels. Board members and several water‑sector associations provided public comments raising concerns about funding, monitoring points, and public understanding.

What notification and response levels are

Deputy director staff reminded the board that notification and response levels (NRLs) are statutory, advisory values derived under Health and Safety Code procedures (see HSC sections noted by staff). They are not maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) but are intended to prompt public notification and, in some cases, system response actions while the regulatory process continues. Under Health and Safety Code section 116378, when a water system detects PFAS under a DDW monitoring order it must follow statutory notification requirements or remove the source from service.

Proposed changes described by staff

- PFOA and PFOS notification levels: Staff proposed reducing the notification levels to 4 ng/L for both PFOA and PFOS. That value aligns with the current U.S. EPA MCL for each compound. Staff proposed no change to the existing response levels for those analytes (the response‑level approach remains in place while federal MCL schedules proceed).

- PFHXS: Staff proposed changing the treatment of PFHXS from a single confirmed sample at 20 ppt…