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, during which residents can provide input 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. According to the commission, an estimated 3.5 million North Carolinians drink tap water with PFAS levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s health-based standard set to take effect in coming years.
The first hearing is scheduled for April 7 at Ferguson Auditorium at AB-Tech Community College in Asheville. The second will be held April 20 at the Archdale Building in Raleigh, with parking available after 5 p.m. across North Salisbury Street from the venue. The third hearing is set for April 23 at Wilmington City Hall’s Skyline Center, where attendees should use the South lot via Brunswick Street; accessible parking is available for those requiring ADA access.
Written comments may also be submitted by email or mail through June 15. The proposed rules—identified as 15A NCAC 02b .0512 and 15A NCAC 02H .0923—would require industrial National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System dischargers, publicly owned treatment facilities accepting significant industrial waste, and significant industrial users (indirect dischargers) to monitor for PFOS, PFOA, and GenX compounds. Certain direct dischargers and significant industrial users would also need to develop minimization plans outlining steps to reduce these chemical discharges.
The commission is seeking feedback not only on the rule text but also on whether it would be scientifically sound to establish a screening threshold above the lowest reporting concentration as a trigger for ongoing requirements, and whether applicability should be limited based on industry classification codes linked to PFAS use or discharge.
Copies of prepared remarks will be accepted at each hearing, and speaking time may be limited depending on attendance. The full text of the proposed rules is available online.
