Water treatment chemicals news on this site reports dated changes in 3 areas, the rules and standards that set chemical limits, the supply of the chemicals and the treatment technology that uses them, each with its instrument, status and date. A US lead action level of 0.010 mg/L applies from 2027-11-01 while 2 PFAS proposals are pending, so which date applies to which system?
Each item names its primary source and status and links the reference page it changes among the 16 families of water treatment chemicals.
Every item on this page is checked against the primary source it reports (Federal Register, eCFR, EPA, EUR-Lex, WHO, NSF, SCC, AWWA, CEN); see our methodology and fact-checking process.
What Does Water Treatment Chemicals News Cover?#
Water treatment chemicals news covers 3 desks: regulations and standards (EPA, EU and WHO rules, NSF/ANSI/CAN 60, AWWA and EN revisions), supply (shortages, supply chain risk and market moves) and technology (treatment chemistries, media and methods). The 3 desks are listed below.
- Regulations and standards: proposed, final and effective rules and new standard editions.
- Supply: shortages, force majeure notices and EPA supply chain profiles.
- Technology: treatment methods documented by a regulator or a peer-reviewed journal.
Consumer and recreational water products are not covered, and neither are company personnel announcements.
Water Treatment Regulations Watch: Rule Dates and Status#
The regulations watch tracks rule dates for water treatment chemicals in the United States, the European Union and the WHO guidelines, and states whether each rule is proposed, final, effective or at its compliance date. The calendar below compares the instruments.
| Date | Jurisdiction | Instrument | What it changes for treatment chemicals | Status (2026-10-20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-04-26 | US | PFAS NPDWR, 89 FR 32532, 40 CFR 141.61 | PFOA, PFOS 4.0 ng/L each; PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA 10 ng/L each; Hazard Index 1; best available technologies: anion exchange, GAC, RO, NF | final; codified 2026-10-01 |
| 2024-10-30 | US | LCRI, 89 FR 86418, 40 CFR 141.80 | lead action level 0.010 mg/L (90th percentile); lead service lines replaced within 10 years; corrosion control with orthophosphate and pH adjustment re-evaluated | final; effective 2024-12-30; compliance 2027-11-01 |
| 2026-01-06 | US | perchlorate NPDWR proposal, 91 FR 398 | MCLG 0.02 mg/L; MCL options 0.02, 0.04 or 0.08 mg/L | proposed; comments closed 2026-03-09 |
| 2026-02-24 | US | EPA RMP "Common Sense Approach to Chemical Accident Prevention" proposal | RMP revisions; thresholds in 40 CFR 68.130 unchanged until a final rule | proposed; comments closed 2026-05-11 |
| 2026-05-18 | US | 2 PFAS proposals (published 2026-05-20, 91 FR 29413 and 91 FR 29425) | rescind PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and Hazard Index determinations; PFOA and PFOS compliance extension to 2031-04-26 on request | proposed |
| 2027 | US | PFAS NPDWR initial monitoring | systems complete initial PFAS monitoring | compliance date |
| 2027-11-01 | US | LCRI | lead action level 0.010 mg/L applies (0.015 mg/L until then) | compliance date |
| 2029-04-26 | US | PFAS NPDWR | MCL compliance (as codified) | compliance date |
| no date | US | final rules on the PFAS and RMP proposals; disinfection byproduct rule revision | final decisions | pending; no disinfection byproduct revision proposed |
| 2026-01-12 | EU | Directive (EU) 2020/2184, Article 25 | chlorate and chlorite 0.25 mg/L each (0.70 mg/L where ClO2 is used), HAA5 60 µg/L, Sum of PFAS 0.10 µg/L, bisphenol A, microcystin-LR, uranium | binding |
| 2026-07-01 | EU | Directive (EU) 2024/1785 (IED 2.0) | member-state law applies the revised Industrial Emissions Directive (BAT for industrial wastewater) | transposition date |
| 2028-12-31 | EU | Implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/1273, 2017/1274, 2017/1275 (BPR active chlorine) | approvals for active chlorine from sodium hypochlorite (PT1 to PT5), calcium hypochlorite (PT2 to PT5) and chlorine (PT2, PT5) | approved 2019-01-01 to 2028-12-31 |
| 2029-01-12 | EU | Directive (EU) 2020/2184 | first risk assessment of domestic distribution | compliance date |
| 2036-01-12 | EU | Directive (EU) 2020/2184, Annex I | lead 5 µg/L (10 µg/L until then); chromium 25 µg/L (50 µg/L until then) | compliance date |
| 2026-06-17 | WHO | Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, 4th edition incorporating addenda 1 to 3 | consolidated guideline values for disinfectants and byproducts | published (guideline, not law) |
Proposed rules are not in force; codified US text is read from eCFR as of 2026-10-01.
United States drinking water rules: LCRI, PFAS and perchlorate#
The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (89 FR 86418, 2024-10-30) took effect on 2024-12-30; systems must comply by 2027-11-01 (40 CFR 141.80(a)(3)), when the lead action level becomes 0.010 mg/L (0.015 mg/L until then). That value is an action level, not an MCL. The rule is challenged in AWWA v. EPA (D.C. Cir. No. 24-1376), with EPA defending it; as of 2026-10-22 the court has not ruled and the rule is not stayed.
The PFAS rule (89 FR 32532, 2024-04-26) sets PFOA and PFOS at 4.0 ng/L each, with compliance on 2029-04-26, and is still codified on 2026-10-01. Two proposals published 2026-05-20 would rescind the PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and Hazard Index determinations (91 FR 29413) and let systems that request it extend PFOA and PFOS compliance to 2031-04-26 (91 FR 29425); both are pending.
Perchlorate is a proposal only: 91 FR 398 (2026-01-06) proposes an MCLG of 0.02 mg/L; comments closed on 2026-03-09. The statute behind these rules is covered under Safe Drinking Water Act and the treatment rules.
US process safety: the EPA RMP proposal#
The EPA Risk Management Program rule is under a proposal, not a final change: the "Common Sense Approach to Chemical Accident Prevention" was published on 2026-02-24, comments closed on 2026-05-11, and no final rule exists as of 2026-10-20 (epa.gov/rmp). The chlorine threshold stays 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) under RMP and 1,500 lb (680 kg) under OSHA PSM.
EU and WHO rules: Drinking Water Directive, BPR and GDWQ#
The EU and WHO dates that change treatment chemicals in 2026 to 2028 are 4, listed below.
- Directive (EU) 2020/2184: chlorate and chlorite 0.25 mg/L each (0.70 mg/L with chlorine dioxide), binding from 2026-01-12.
- Directive (EU) 2024/1785 (IED 2.0): transposition by 2026-07-01.
- WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, fourth edition with 3 addenda: 2026-06-17.
- BPR active chlorine (Implementing Regulations (EU) 2017/1273, 2017/1274, 2017/1275): approved 2019-01-01 to 2028-12-31.
Active chlorine released from sodium hypochlorite is approved for PT1 to PT5; its PT11 and PT12 uses are still under evaluation, with no decision as of 2026-10-22.
How is the status of a rule reported?#
Every rule item carries one of 5 status words, in stage order, and never moves a rule to the next stage before the primary source does.
- Proposed: published as a proposal.
- Comments closed: comment period ended.
- Final: final rule published.
- Effective: rule takes legal effect.
- Compliance date: systems must comply.
The distinction matters: the 2024 PFAS limits remain codified while the 2026 proposals are pending.
Standards Watch: NSF/ANSI/CAN 60, AWWA and EN Revisions#
The standards watch tracks NSF/ANSI/CAN 60, the 49 AWWA B-standards, the EN standards of CEN/TC 164 and the Ten States design standards. The calendar below compares their dated editions.
| Date | Standard body | Edition or notice | What it changes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987-12 | NSF/ANSI | NSF/ANSI 60 first adopted | health-effects certification of drinking water treatment chemicals | historical |
| 2024-12-17 | CEN/TC 164 | EN 901:2024 | sodium hypochlorite product standard revised | published |
| 2025-10-23 | NSF | NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2025 Section 8 | chemicals from 61-certified on-site generators evaluated under NSF 60 | published |
| 2025-12-19 | SCC (Canada) | notice of intent, new edition of CAN/ANSI/NSF 60 | next NSF 60 edition | in development; comments 2026-01-06 to 2026-01-27 |
| 2026 | AWWA | B102-26 (manganese greensand), B116-26 (electrodialysis and ion-exchange membrane systems) | 2026 editions on the list of 49 | published |
| 2026 | CEN/TC 164 | EN 1278:2026 (ozone), EN 1018:2026 (calcium carbonate), EN 12485:2026 (test methods) | 2026 editions | published |
| 2022; 2026 | Ten States | Recommended Standards for Water Works 2022; Recommended Standards for Wastewater Facilities 2026 | design references for chemical storage and feed | current editions |
| continuous | NSF | NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 listings | 1,150 companies, 36,629 products, 54,847 product-function rows (NSF listings, 2026-10-21) | re-checked quarterly |
NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and 61 editions and listings#
NSF/ANSI/CAN 60, first adopted in December 1987, has its next edition in development under a Standards Council of Canada notice of intent of 2025-12-19. NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2025 Section 8 lets chemicals from a 61-certified on-site generator be evaluated under NSF 60 (NSF, 2025-10-23). Listings change continuously, so every listing count carries its date.
AWWA, EN and Ten States editions#
The AWWA standards list holds 49 B-standards on 2026-10-20, including ANSI/AWWA B102-26 for manganese greensand. CEN/TC 164 published EN 901:2024 for sodium hypochlorite and EN 1278:2026 for ozone. The current Ten States editions are Water Works 2022 and Wastewater Facilities 2026.
Supply Watch: Water Treatment Chemical Shortages and Supply Chain Risk#
The supply watch reports shortages and supply chain risk for water treatment chemicals against the 47 US EPA supply chain profiles, 36 for chemicals used in water treatment and 11 for precursors, updated on 2026-06-30.
The 2021 ferric chloride shortage followed a shortfall of hydrochloric acid and steel pickle liquor, and in summer 2021 liquid oxygen suppliers issued force majeure notices with zero allocation to some water systems. EPA rated ferric chloride supply risk Moderate-Low in 2022.
Market moves are reported under water treatment chemicals market; Grand View Research estimates the global market at USD 35.8 billion for 2025.
Technology Watch: Treatment Chemistries, Media and Methods#
The technology watch reports chemistries, media and methods that a regulator lists or a peer-reviewed journal documents, such as the 4 best available technologies for regulated PFAS: anion exchange, granular activated carbon, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration (40 CFR 141.61). EPA released interim guidance on PFAS destruction and disposal on 2026-04-23.
News Desk Directory: Which Pages Each Story Updates#
Each news item links the reference pages it changes; the directory lists them by desk, with one row per page.
| # | Desk | Instrument or topic | Jurisdiction | Page updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Regulations | all rules and standards (index) | US, EU, WHO | water treatment regulations and standards |
| 2 | Regulations | Safe Drinking Water Act, NPDWRs | US | Safe Drinking Water Act and the treatment rules |
| 3 | Regulations | LCR, LCRR, LCRI | US | Lead and Copper Rule (LCR, LCRR, LCRI) |
| 4 | Regulations | LCRI corrosion control (orthophosphate, pH) | US | corrosion control treatment for lead and copper |
| 5 | Regulations | PFAS NPDWR and 2026 proposals | US | PFAS removal in drinking water treatment |
| 6 | Regulations | perchlorate proposal (ion-exchange removal) | US | selective and chelating resins |
| 7 | Regulations | Stage 1 and 2 DBPR; revision | US | disinfectants and disinfection byproducts rules |
| 8 | Regulations | DBP formation and control | US, EU, WHO | disinfection byproducts: formation and control |
| 9 | Regulations | SWTR, IESWTR, LT2 | US | Surface Water Treatment Rules |
| 10 | Regulations | NPDES permits | US | NPDES permits and chemical discharges |
| 11 | Regulations | 40 CFR 403 pretreatment | US | National Pretreatment Program |
| 12 | Regulations | ELG revisions; IED 2.0 | US, EU | effluent limitations guidelines |
| 13 | Regulations | 21 CFR 173.310 amendments | US | 21 CFR 173.310 boiler water additives |
| 14 | Regulations | FIFRA registration actions | US | FIFRA registration of water treatment biocides |
| 15 | Regulations | RMP and PSM | US | EPA RMP and OSHA PSM for water treatment chemicals |
| 16 | Regulations | Directive (EU) 2020/2184 | EU | EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184 |
| 17 | Regulations | BPR approvals | EU | EU Biocidal Products Regulation |
| 18 | Regulations | GDWQ editions and addenda | WHO | WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality |
| 19 | Regulations | ASHRAE 188 and Guideline 12 editions | US | ASHRAE 188 and Legionella water management programs |
| 20 | Regulations | EU parameters and US rules for utilities | US, EU | drinking water treatment chemicals |
| 21 | Standards | NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 and 61 editions, listings | US, Canada | NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 |
| 22 | Standards | AWWA B-series editions | US | AWWA B-series standards |
| 23 | Standards | EN editions (CEN/TC 164) | EU | EN standards for drinking water treatment chemicals |
| 24 | Standards | dated values per chemical (NSF, AWWA, EN, CAS) | all | water treatment chemical database |
| 25 | Standards | EN 901:2024, AWWA B300-24, BPR active chlorine | US, EU | sodium hypochlorite in water treatment |
| 26 | Supply | supplier types, NSF 60 sourcing | all | water treatment chemical suppliers |
| 27 | Supply | market estimates, acquisitions | global | water treatment chemicals market |
| 28 | Supply | utility bids and contract awards | US | water treatment chemical bids |
| 29 | Supply | 2021 shortage; EPA profile | US | ferric chloride in water treatment |
| 30 | Supply | 2021 force majeure; EPA criticality | US | oxygen (LOX) in water treatment |
| 31 | Technology | PFAS media, EPA disposal guidance | US | activated carbon in water treatment |
| 32 | Technology | on-site generation, disinfectant choice | US, EU | drinking water disinfection |
How Are Water Treatment Chemicals News Items Verified and Dated?#
Each water treatment chemicals news item is verified in 4 steps.
- Open the primary source.
- State instrument, section and ISO date.
- Label the status.
- Update the linked reference page.
A wrong date or value is corrected with a dated note; report one through contact WaterTreatmentChemicals.net.
Who Helps a Plant Act on a Rule Change?#
A rule change reaches the dosing pump through a treatment program: providers review corrosion control, disinfection or PFAS treatment, and suppliers deliver to the new specification.
After a rule change, comparing program providers is covered under water treatment companies.
What Changed for Water Treatment Chemicals in 2026, and What Comes Next?#
2026 brought 3 binding or current changes, 3 pending US proposal topics and 2 US milestones in 2027.
Which rules became binding in 2026?#
3 changes became binding or current in 2026: the EU Drinking Water Directive parameters on 2026-01-12, the WHO guidelines edition of 2026-06-17 and the IED 2.0 transposition deadline of 2026-07-01.
Which proposals are still pending?#
3 US proposal topics are pending on 2026-10-20: perchlorate (2026-01-06), the RMP revisions (2026-02-24) and the 2 PFAS proposals of 2026-05-18; none has a final rule.
Which compliance dates fall in 2027?#
2 US milestones fall in 2027: PFAS initial monitoring is complete in 2027, and the LCRI lead action level of 0.010 mg/L applies from 2027-11-01.