EPA Announces Comprehensive Study to Detect Over 1,000 Potential Drinking‑Water Pollutants

EPA announced a new scientific study that will use non‑targeted analysis to scan drinking‑water samples for more than 1,000 potential contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, PFAS, and microplastics. The study expands beyond conventional testing, which measures only a handful of chemicals, and will identify unknown pollutants that may have gone undetected. It complements the agency’s ongoing Safe Drinking Water Act programs, including the draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List that now prioritizes microplastics and pharmaceuticals, and the proposed Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule that would require monitoring of 30 unregulated substances. By revealing the full spectrum of contaminants, the research will help EPA prioritize future regulatory actions and provide clearer information to the public about the safety of their drinking water.