Back in 2016, PFOA — so-called “forever chemicals” — were detected in the public drinking water supply in the village of Hoosick Falls, as well as in the town of Hoosick’s private drinking water.

Forever chemicals are linked to manufacturing. The community’s drinking water infrastructure had to be replaced because PFAS chemicals don’t break down in the human body; instead they accumulate in human organs and cause a variety of cancers.

After that scare, the Biden administration set standards for two kinds of PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion. 

On Wednesday, the Trump administration’s EPA announced that it will keep those standards in place, but give utilities two extra years, until 2031, to come into compliance.

The EPA also announced rules Wednesday to weaken regulations for a separate group of PFAS chemicals in drinking water. 

Rob Hayes, senior director of Clean Water, Environmental Advocates NY, explained to Capital Tonight’s Susan Arbetter what the changes will mean for New York state.