The Environmental Management Commission is intending to amend the rule, 15A NCAC 02L .0202 Groundwater Quality Standards, in order to establish groundwater standards for three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFOA, PFOS, and GenX.
Groundwater quality standards are the maximum allowable concentrations resulting from any discharge of contaminants to the land or waters of the state, which may be tolerated without creating a threat to human health or which would otherwise render the groundwater unsuitable for use as an existing or potential source of drinking water supply for humans. PFAS are a group of chemicals of specific concern in North Carolina. To ensure the protection of the groundwaters of North Carolina, it is necessary to identify sources of PFAS contamination in groundwater, prevent further contamination, and take steps to remediate any existing contamination.
Comments: Public comments may be submitted in writing or by email anytime through December 31, 2024, to the following:
Bridget Shelton
NC DEQ Division of Water Resources, Planning Section
1611 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1611

GWTriRevComments@deq.nc.gov<mailto:GWTriRevComments@deq.nc.gov>

Public hearings: Public hearings have been scheduled at the dates, times, and locations below:
Date: Thursday, November 21, 2024, 6:00p.m.
Location: Pine and Fraser Fir Rooms, Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services Building, 2145 Suttle Ave., Charlotte, NC 28208
Date: Monday, December 2, 2024, 6:00p.m.
Location: U-170, Union Station Building, Cape Fear Community College, 502 N. Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024, 6:00p.m.
Location: Ground Floor Hearing Room, Archdale Building, 512 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27604
At each hearing, speaker registration and sign-in will begin at 5:00 p.m. Each hearing will conclude by 9:00 p.m., however the hearing officer may conclude the hearing earlier if all registered speakers have been heard. The Hearing Officer may limit the length of time for each speaker to allow everyone an opportunity to be heard. Written comments and copies of prepared remarks will be accepted at each hearing.

More information on the proposed groundwater standards including links to the full notice published in the North Carolina Register and the associated regulatory impact analysis can be found on the DEQ Proposed Rules website<https://www.deq.nc.gov/accessdeq/rules-regulations/deq-proposed-rules/proposed-rules#ProposedAmendmentsto15ANCAC02L0202GroundwaterQualityStandards-17075>.
Please feel free to forward this email to interested parties.

Bridget Shelton
Groundwater Quality Standards Coordinator
Classifications and Standards Branch
Division of Water Resources
North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality
Office: (919) 707-9022
Bridget.Shelton@deq.nc.gov<mailto:Bridget.Shelton@deq.nc.gov>

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Email correspondence to and from this address may be subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law and may be disclosed to third parties by an authorized state official.