Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, Co-Chairs of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, expressed concern on May 18 about a proposal to roll back federal drinking water protections for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals.”
The lawmakers said the proposal would rescind limits on four PFAS chemicals under the nation’s first-ever PFAS drinking water standard and extend compliance deadlines for two others. This could leave communities exposed to contaminated drinking water for a longer period.
“Safe drinking water should never be a luxury, a legal debate, or a question at the kitchen sink. For families facing PFAS contamination, this is about the water they pour into a glass, cook with, and give to their children. These forever chemicals are found in the blood of nearly 98% of Americans, and communities that did not create this pollution should not be forced to live with the risk or pay the cost of cleaning it up. America should be moving faster to get PFAS out of our drinking water—not giving families more years of uncertainty and harm. We will not stand by while protections are weakened and working families are left waiting. We will continue fighting to protect clean water, hold polluters accountable, and put public health ahead of the interests that created this crisis,” Fitzpatrick and Dingell said.
Fitzpatrick has served in Congress representing Pennsylvania’s 1st District since 2017 according to his official website. He was born in Philadelphia in 1973 and currently lives in Levittown according to his official biography.
The letter from Fitzpatrick and Dingell marks another step in their bipartisan effort on behalf of communities affected by PFAS contamination. In June 2025 they introduced legislation aiming to codify safe drinking water regulations related to these chemicals; subsequently they led dozens of colleagues urging federal officials at EPA not to weaken existing standards.
In their letter addressed to Administrator Zeldin, Fitzpatrick and Dingell wrote: “PFAS contamination is a real and urgent public health crisis across our country, and this rollback only serves to undermine the core purpose of SDWA [Safe Drinking Water Act]… Rolling back drinking water standards for PFAS will further the existing public health crisis our communities are already facing due to these forever chemicals.” They noted that as recently as March 2026 about 176 million Americans were estimated to drink water contaminated with PFAS.
They referenced an enforceable maximum contaminant level established by EPA’s finalized rule in April 2024—four parts per trillion for two major variants (PFOS/PFOA) along with monitoring requirements—and argued rescinding those rules would allow continued spread through public systems.
Fitzpatrick graduated from La Salle University with a BS degree before earning his JD from Pennsylvania State University according to his official biography.
The lawmakers concluded by urging EPA officials: “We encourage EPA to reconsider the dangerous rollback of its 2024 PFAS National Drinking Water Standard.”
