The State Board of Health (Board) adopted proposed changes to WAC 246-290-315 and WAC 246-290-71006 on December 15, 2025. The adopted changes keep current protections related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in place until new federal regulations are effective.
The updated Board rules will:
- Align the State Action Levels (SALs) for PFAS with newly adopted federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) to provide optimal protection from PFAS in the state’s drinking water.
- Maintain state required testing for PFAS in Group A public water systems.
- Clarify reporting requirements and ease confusion about which set of health-based standards apply until the federal regulation becomes effective in April 2029.
These changes aim to align the rule with the best available science related to PFAS contaminant levels and provide advanced public health protection. The changes also help ensure the rules are clear and effective. The updated rules will go into effect January 15, 2026.
Adopted Rule Documents
- CR-103P: Rulemaking Order with Permanent Rule Language (PDF)
- Concise Explanatory Statement, a summary of comments received (PDF)
- Significant Analysis (Word)
- Small Business Economic Impact Statement (Word)
- Environmental Justice Assessment (Word)
Rulemaking Timeline
- Informal comment period: May 29 – June 11
- File CR-102 – September 2025
- Formal comment period – October 2025
- Public hearing – November 2025
- File CR-103 – December 2025
- Effective Date - January 15, 2026
Rulemaking Files
| Documents | What's This | Date Filed |
|---|---|---|
| CR-103E-Emergency Rulemaking Order (PDF) | Adopts temporary rule amendments to WAC 246-290-315 to clarify that the MCLs and associated requirements would replace the SALs when the MCLs are effective, instead of when they are adopted. | June 24, 2024 |
| CR-103E-Emergency Rulemaking Order (PDF) | Extension of June 24, 2024, Emergency Rule: Adopts temporary rule amendments to WAC 246-290-315 to clarify that the MCLs and associated requirements would replace the SALs when the MCLs are effective, instead of when they are adopted. | October 22, 2024 |
| CR-103E-Emergency Rulemaking Order (PDF) | Second extension of June 24, 2024, Emergency Rule: Adopts temporary rule amendments to WAC 246-290-315 to clarify that the MCLs and associated requirements would replace the SALs when the MCLs are effective, instead of when they are adopted. | February 19, 2025 |
| CR-103E-Emergency Rulemaking Order (PDF) | Third extension of June 24, 2024, Emergency Rule: Adopts temporary rule amendments to WAC 246-290-315 to clarify that the MCLs and associated requirements would replace the SALs when the MCLs are effective, instead of when they are adopted. | June 18, 2025 |
| The adopted rule language in English and Spanish. | ||
| CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry (PDF) | Announces permanent rulemaking. | September 30, 2024 |
| CR-102: Proposed Rulemaking (PDF) | Announces proposed permanent rulemaking. | September 30, 2025 |
| CR-103P: Rulemaking Order (PDF) | Announces adopted permanent rulemaking. | December 15, 2025 |
Contacts
Shay Bauman, Policy Advisor, State Board of Health, 360-236-3736
Zehra Siddiqui, Rules Coordinator, Department of Health, 360-236-3010
Mike Means, Capacity Development and Policy Manager, Office of Drinking Water, 360-236-3178