Information about the MassDEP's establishment of a drinking water standard for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in 2020.
- This page, Massachusetts PFAS Drinking Water Standard (MCL), is offered by
- Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Massachusetts PFAS Drinking Water Standard (MCL)
Table of Contents
Massachusetts PFAS Standard for Public Drinking Water Supplies
On October 2, 2020, MassDEP published its PFAS public drinking water standard or Massachusetts Maximum Contaminant Level (MMCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L), or parts per trillion (ppt) applicable to community (COM) and non-transient non-community (NTNC) systems for the sum of the concentrations of six specific PFAS. The six PFAS are: perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS); perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA); perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS); perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA); perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA); and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA). MassDEP abbreviates this set of six PFAS as “PFAS6.” This drinking water standard is set to be protective against adverse health effects for all people consuming the water.
Additional information on the MassDEP public drinking water standard:
Information for PWS regarding Compliance with the MCL
- Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Drinking Water Regulations Quick Reference Guide
- PFAS in Drinking Water - Q&A for PWS: A Collection of Frequently Asked Questions
- PFAS monitoring flowchart for small PWS serving less than 3,000 people - COM and NTNCs
- PFAS monitoring flowchart for PWS - COM and NTNCs
- PFAS Public Education and Public Notice Templates
Massachusetts PFAS Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Amendments & Public Comment
PFAS Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) Proposed Amendments & Public Comment
MassDEP has filed proposed regulatory changes with the Secretary of State for formal notice and publication in the Massachusetts Register. MassDEP will being accepting public comments starting December 27, 2019.
Massachusetts Stakeholders Meeting #2 - June 20, 2019
Open PDF file, 1.42 MB,
Presentation to PFAS Stakeholder Group Meeting, June 20, 2019
(English, PDF 1.42 MB)
Open PDF file, 204.85 KB,
Agenda for PFAS MCL Stakeholder Group Meeting #2
(English, PDF 204.85 KB)
Agenda for PFAS MCL Stakeholder Group Meeting #2 on June 20, 2019
Open PDF file, 228.72 KB,
Questions for Discussion at June 20, 2019 PFAS MCL Stakeholders Meeting
(English, PDF 228.72 KB)
Open PDF file, 168.61 KB,
Glossary of Drinking Water Regulatory Terms
(English, PDF 168.61 KB)
Glossary of regulatory terms for PFAS MCL stakeholders meeting. June 2019.
Open PDF file, 266.02 KB,
Glossary of Waste Site Cleanup Terms
(English, PDF 266.02 KB)
List of common terms and their definitions used in the Massachusetts DEP's Waste Site Cleanup Program
Video on MassDEP's YouTube channel
Link to the video of the June 20, 2019 meeting,
Massachusetts Stakeholders Meeting #1 - April 11, 2019
Open PDF file, 203.38 KB,
Agenda for PFAS MCL Stakeholder Group Meeting #1
(English, PDF 203.38 KB)
Open PDF file, 219.88 KB,
Invitation to MassDEP Drinking Water PFAS MCL Stakeholder Group
(English, PDF 219.88 KB)
Open PDF file, 180.49 KB,
Drinking Water Program PFAS MCL Stakeholder Invited Members List
(English, PDF 180.49 KB)
Video on MassDEP's YouTube channel.
Link to the video of the entire April 11, 2019 meeting, available as a 7-part playlist on MassDEP's YouTube channel.
Help Us Improve Mass.gov with your feedback
Thank you for your website feedback! We will use this information to improve this page.
If you need assistance, please visit the MassDEP Contacts & Service Center page.
If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site.