EPA’s proposed POTW Influent PFAS Study would survey and sample hundreds of publicly owned treatment works to characterize PFAS in industrial wastewater discharges. The agency says the resulting data would help identify and prioritize industrial categories that may warrant additional study or regulation. The information collection also includes provisions for a national sewage sludge survey to better understand PFAS occurrence in biosolids.

The information collection request was submitted to the Office of Management and Budget in October 2024 and remains pending. Former EPA and OMB officials cited in the reporting described the length of the review as highly unusual.

The delay comes as wastewater utilities continue to face PFAS management challenges because conventional treatment processes generally are not designed to destroy the chemicals. EPA currently recommends that states monitor biosolids for PFAS, identify likely industrial sources and use pretreatment requirements where appropriate to reduce PFAS entering treatment plants.

EPA has continued other PFAS-related work. In July 2026, the agency released draft guidance for reducing potential risks from PFOA and PFOS in biosolids and is separately pursuing effluent limits for PFAS manufacturers under the Organic Chemicals, Plastics and Synthetic Fibers category.

The National Association of Clean Water Agencies has questioned whether a new nationwide survey is necessary, arguing that state and utility monitoring programs have already produced substantial PFAS discharge data. Supporters of the study contend that a consistent national dataset would help regulators better identify industrial sources and determine where source-control requirements should be focused.