CA Legislature OK’s McNerney’s Bill to Address PFAS Water Pollution
The California Legislature has unanimously approved Sen. Jerry McNerney’s SB 454, which is designed address PFAS pollution in California’s water supply. SB 454 would establish a special state fund — the PFAS Mitigation Fund — that local agencies and cities could access to help pay for the cleanup of toxic PFAS in water throughout the state.
PFAS, chemicals containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are also known as “forever chemicals” because they linger in the environment for hundreds of thousands of years. According to a recent report, PFAS has been found in water systems serving at least 25.4 million Californians.
“California has banned PFAS in consumer products ranging from food packaging and cosmetics to children’s cribs and playpens. But PFAS has been used in thousands of products during the past eight decades, so forever chemicals have contaminated a substantial portion of our water,” said Sen. McNerney, whose district is facing a significant PFAS contamination problem. “SB 454 would create a much-needed tool to help local agencies pay for PFAS cleanup, while also helping protect ratepayers from higher costs.”
SB 454 won unanimous approval in the Senate on Tuesday evening, after the Assembly passed the bill unanimously on Monday. SB 454 now goes to the governor’s desk for consideration. SB 454 is co-sponsored by the League of California Cities (Cal Cities) and the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA).
“Cal Cities urges the Governor to sign SB 454. This critical legislation would support local efforts to keep our water supply safe from forever chemicals, protect public health, and help keep our residents' water bills affordable,” said League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman. “Cal Cities is proud to sponsor this important measure.”
“Public water agencies are committed to delivering safe drinking water to Californians,” said ACWA Director of Regulatory Relations Chelsea Haines. “The development of the fund aims to leverage various funding sources to treat PFAS contamination while maintaining water affordability for communities across the state. ACWA is pleased to co-sponsor SB 454.”
PFAS are a group of more than 14,000 chemicals used because of their stain- and water-resistant and nonstick properties. A large body of research has linked PFAS to increased risk of prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers; decreased fertility in pregnant women; and developmental effects or delays in children. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Geological Survey, nearly half of the tap water in the U.S. is contaminated with forever chemicals.
The PFAS Mitigation Fund created by SB 454 would be managed by the California Water Resources Control Board, which would be authorized to seek federal and private funds designated for PFAS remediation and treatment for the fund. The fund could also receive future state dollars, upon appropriation from the Legislature. The legislation would also authorize the Water Board to award grants or loans to local agencies and cities to help offset the costs to PFAS cleanup.
Sen. Jerry McNerney is chair of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee and his 5th Senate District includes all of San Joaquin County and Alameda County’s Tri-Valley.
