On August 21, 2024, Taiwan's Ministry of Environment (MOENV) introduced a series of draft amendments to the Drinking Water Quality Standards (the Standards), which incorporates new standards for PFAS in drinking water. The draft is open for comments until October 21, 2024.1
PFAS Limits in Drinking Water
The Standards applies to water supplied for human consumption, including tap water, water from community-installed water supply systems, and water treated by stationary continuous water supply equipment. The Standards establishes standards for bacteria presence, sensory properties, and chemical contamination in drinking water.
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known for their persistence and carcinogenic risks, can significantly threaten public health if found in drinking water. To mitigate these risks, MOENV proposed setting standards for three groups of PFAS in the Standards, i.e., perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS). According to the draft, the levels of these substances in drinking water shall meet the following requirements effective July 1, 2027.
| No. | PFAS Group | Maximum Limit |
| 1 | PFOA + PFOS | 0.00005 mg/L |
| 2 | PFOS + PFHxS | 0.00007 mg/L |
Compliance Requirements Before Regulation Enactment
Beyond setting PFAS limits, the draft requires water supply and management units of water purification equipment to strengthen drinking water testing and management before the regulation is officially implemented. To be specific:
For water purification treatment equipment supplying more than 20,000 cubic meters daily, at least two tests shall be conducted before the implementation date, with a minimum of 360 days between the two tests;
For equipment supplying less than 20,000 cubic meters daily, at least one test is required before the implementation date.
If the detected PFAS levels exceed the limits specified in the table above, the water supply or management units of the water purification equipment shall notify MOENV, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), and relevant local governments within 7 days after the test report's issuance date. Moreover, the involved units shall submit a quality management plan for drinking water to MOENV within 30 days, with copies sent to MOEA and local governments. This requirement also applies if MOENV conducts a random water quality test before the implementation date, and finds PFAS levels exceeds the specified limits.
If the management plan mentions that additional equipment or construction is required, it shall be completed within two years. Extensions or modifications of the management plan due to natural disasters or force majeure can be requested by the units, but the plan's execution period shall not extend beyond the regulation's implementation date.
