Tennessee bill would regulate PFAS in drinking water with peer-reviewed science

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — More than 37 million Americans drink water from systems that exceed limits on toxic "forever chemicals," according to USA TODAY's analysis of the first update of Environmental Protection Agency data under the Trump administration.

That data shows trace amounts of PFAS -- or 'forever chemicals' -- in locations throughout the Tennessee Valley, including

• Hixson Utility District
• Cleveland Utilities
• East Side Utility District
• Tennessee American Water
• Signal Mountain Water System
• Walden's Ridge Utility District

A new Tennessee bill looks to change drinking water regulations. It would require state agencies to only make rules regarding substances like PFAS if they are based on peer-reviewed, scientific data.

According to the EPA, PFAS — or 'forever chemicals' — are in water, air, fish and soil at locations around the world.

As far as regulation goes, State Representative Chris Todd says the PFAS studies officials rely on are often not credible.

But some argue, the current regulations work just fine.

"We seen in other states where folks have had issues with rules and regulations. When they started digging into it, they were not based on something that even the public would say is really sound facts," Todd says.

The “Sound Science in Regulations Act” wants to limit the research Tennessee relies on to ensure safe drinking water.

The act mandates that 'a state agency can't release, suggest, or finalize any rules about substances, chemicals, or mixtures related to things like drinking water, pollution control, hazardous materials, site cleanup, air quality, or waste management unless the rules are based on the best, peer-reviewed scientific and technical data available.'

But Tennessee State Senator Hiedi Campbell says this act might create negative consequences.

"With great admiration for the intent of the sponsor of this bill, I worry that actually this does the opposite of that, and actually limits our ability to control, particularly PFAs. The PFAs levels that we're finding in the water in our state right now are alarming, and I think that this actually limits our ability to mitigate that."

The bill has passed the state Senate and now goes to the House's Regular Calendar.