The Trump administration delayed a comprehensive survey of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater, according to two former officials involved in its creation. A public notice shows that the first-of-its-kind survey of wastewater treatment plants was submitted to the White House for approval nearly two years ago during the Biden administration—far longer than usual. PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals linked to health issues like cancer and developmental problems, are often found in industrial waste. A nationwide survey of hundreds of wastewater treatment plants could help identify which industries are responsible for PFAS contamination, potentially leading to new regulations. Robert Wood, a former director of the EPA’s Office of Water, said that identifying the top sources of PFAS pollution would allow for more detailed studies and targeted regulations. “If we can determine the top one, the top two, the top three” industries that dump PFAS, Wood said, “then we start work on the detailed studies and the regulation to get after nationwide limits on PFAS for the predominant industrial dischargers.” PFAS are notoriously difficult to remove from the environment, and wastewater treatment plants are typically not equipped to filter them out. As a result, these chemicals often end up in rivers and soil. The survey, submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in October 2024, has been delayed for nearly two years. Stuart Shapiro, a former OMB staffer, said the delay is unusual, given that reviews typically take about 60 days. The EPA and OMB have not responded to requests for comment. While the Trump administration has pledged to combat PFAS, they have faced criticism from environmental groups and the Robert F. Kennedy Jr.-aligned “Make America Healthy Again” movement for what they see as a regulatory approach that favors industry interests. Some states, like Michigan, have already taken steps to address PFAS contamination by collecting their own data and imposing limits on PFAS discharges. Activists have called for the Trump administration to act decisively, emphasizing the urgency of reducing toxic exposure to PFAS. “The survey or a similar effort is urgently needed data to help decrease toxic exposures and ultimately the chronic disease epidemic,” said Kelly Ryerson, a “Make America Healthy Again” activist. “We have no more time to waste in addressing these harmful exposures, especially on behalf of bureaucratic interests.”