Western North Carolina residents have the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding proposed wastewater rules targeting PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals," at an upcoming hearing in Asheville. The hearing provides a platform for community members to engage with the regulatory process and learn more about how these rules could affect local waterways and drinking water.
Hearing Details
A public hearing is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Ferguson Auditorium at AB-Tech Community College, located at 19 Tech Drive, Asheville, NC 28801. Sign-in and speaker registration will begin at 5 p.m. Speaking time may be limited depending on attendance. Written comments or prepared remarks will also be accepted.
Proposed Rules and PFAS Impacts
The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (EMC) is seeking public input on proposed rules (15A NCAC 02B .0512 and 15A NCAC 02H .0923) that would require monitoring of three specific PFAS—PFOS, PFOA, and GenX—in wastewater discharges from industrial facilities with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and publicly owned treatment works receiving industrial waste. Significant industrial users may be required to develop minimization plans to reduce discharges into surface waters. PFAS are man-made chemicals found in commercial, industrial, and consumer products that do not break down in the environment, leading to accumulation in humans and animals.
The EMC is specifically seeking comments on establishing a scientifically defensible screening threshold above the lowest reporting concentration for PFOS, PFOA, and GenX to trigger ongoing monitoring and minimization. They also seek comments on limiting applicability to industries linked to PFAS via Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Proposed rules and a regulatory impact analysis are available on the EMC website.
How to Submit Comments
The public comment period is open from March 16 to June 15, 2026. Comments can be submitted via email to publiccomments@deq.nc.gov (subject line: “PFAS minimization”). Comments can also be mailed to Karen Preston, DEQ-DWR NPDES Permitting Section, 1617 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1617. In-person comments will be accepted at the hearings.
These proposed rules address PFAS contamination in wastewater, which poses a threat to North Carolina's rivers, streams, and drinking water. The Asheville hearing is an opportunity for Western North Carolina residents to influence the rules and protect local water resources.