On Aug. 11, 2026, the EPA’s Office of Water issued an internal memo to Office of Water program directors rescinding the December 2022 guidance, Addressing PFAS Discharges in NPDES Permits and Through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Program. PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are linked to cancer, impacts on the liver and heart, and immune and developmental harm to infants and children. The previous guidance provided suggestions for states to use Clean Water Act authority to reduce PFAS contamination. The previous guidance recommended certain additions to NPDES permits, including: Best Management Practices (BMPs) for discharges of PFAS, BMPs to address PFAS in firefighting foam, and effluent limits for PFAS discharges. The guidance also recommended states use monitoring technology to screen for 40 PFAS parameters.