Japan to Mandate Inspections for PFAS in Water from April

Tokyo, March 23 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese Environment Ministry will mandate water utilities, primarily those run by municipalities, to conduct regular inspections for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are potentially carcinogenic chemicals, starting in April as part of new tap water quality standards. Through the new obligation, the ministry aims to assess PFAS concentrations in water supplies nationwide and reduce associated health risks. Conventionally, PFOS and PFOA, both PFAS compounds, have been subject to voluntary testing by water utilities. The ministry determined that it is necessary to add the chemicals to the list of items regulated under the water quality standards in the water supply law, thereby making inspections obligatory, to prevent potential health damage. A revised ministerial ordinance on the standards will take effect next month. Under the new water quality standards, the combined amount of PFOS and PFOA will be capped at 50 nanograms per liter of tap water. The figure matches the government’s provisional target for limiting the amount of PFAS, and is considered a level at which no adverse health effects are expected to occur even if a person weighing 50 kilograms drinks 2 liters of such water daily for a lifetime. Water utilities will be required to conduct tests every three months in principle. If PFAS levels exceed the standard, utilities will need to investigate the cause and implement response measures such as changing water sources and bolstering water treatment. According to a central government survey, between April 2020 and August 2025, PFAS inspections were conducted at about 98 pct of water utilities serving more than 5,000 people and about 85 pct of water utilities serving populations of up to 5,000. Of them, tests at 19 utilities showed PFAS levels exceeding the government’s provisional target, but concentrations have since fallen below the target in their latest tests. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]