JAN 5, 2026 • 7 min read
3 REGULATORY STORMS ON THE HORIZON FOR 2026
From the final enforcement of PFAS MCLs to tighter GHG reporting standards, 2026 will be a pivotal year for compliance. Here is what facility managers need to prepare for now.
1. The 'Forever Chemical' Crackdown (PFAS)
As we approach the 2027 deadline for public water systems to meet the new EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for PFAS, 2026 will be the year of aggressive enforcement preparation. The "grace period" of monitoring is ending. Facilities that have delayed baseline testing (using EPA Method 533) may find themselves scrambling for remediation contractors.
Action Item: Conduct a gap analysis of your current discharge permits. If you haven't tested for the full suite of 29 PFAS compounds, schedule a baseline assessment immediately.
2. The Lead & Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI)
The EPA's finalized LCRI requires the replacement of all lead service lines within 10 years. For municipalities, 2026 is the critical year for inventory validation. You cannot replace what you haven't mapped.
Action Item: Review your service line inventory. If your data relies on "unknowns" or assumptions, initiate a potholing or predictive modeling program to validate materials before federal funding windows close.
3. Scope 3 GHG Reporting
While the SEC paused some climate disclosure rules, California's SB 253 and the EU's CSRD are pushing ahead. For major supply chain partners (like those serving Tesla or Google), tracking Scope 3 (supply chain) emissions is becoming a contractual requirement, not just a regulatory one.
Action Item: Audit your data collection streams. Are you still using spreadsheets to track fuel burn and energy usage? It's time to migrate to an automated environmental management system (EMS) that can withstand a third-party audit.
"These focuses for the new year will set your company on the right foot. From EPA regulations to forward-looking sustainability goals, implementing these actions will set you up for success."
— Lead Consultant Samuel Akinyemi, P.E.
The Business Case
Prepare your business for the changing regulatory landscape. If you seek guidance for complex regulations, or expertise in tracking metrics and implementing actionable data-level insights, please reach out to our team.