EPA Launches PFAS OUT Initiative

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the launch of the PFAS OUTreach (PFAS OUT) Initiative on April 14, 2026, aimed at proactively reducing exposure to the PFAS chemicals PFOA and PFOS in drinking water well before federal compliance deadlines. Led by EPA’s Office of Water, the initiative represents a shift toward early, hands-on engagement with water systems, states, and local partners to address contamination using science‑based solutions. EPA leadership emphasized that the health impacts of these chemicals are well understood, and PFAS OUT is intended to help communities act now rather than waiting for regulatory enforcement.

PFAS OUT focuses on providing targeted outreach, funding guidance, and technical assistance, especially for small, rural, and disadvantaged water systems that often lack resources to manage complex contamination issues. EPA plans to directly engage roughly 3,000 drinking water systems nationwide with known PFOA and PFOS challenges and will make webinars, location‑specific tools, and technical support broadly available through programs like RealWaterTA. 

The initiative aligns with broader EPA efforts announced earlier in April 2026 to address emerging drinking water contaminants including PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and disinfection byproducts which reinforces the agency’s goal of ensuring safe and reliable drinking water for all communities. 

Learn more about PFAS OUT.