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SB219

Alaska SB 219: PFAS Water Testing and Cleanup Rules

Last scannedSep 21, 2026, 12:32 AM

In one sentence

This law requires the state to test public drinking water for specific chemicals, sets limits that trigger free safe water if exceeded, assigns cleanup costs based on who caused a release or followed rules, and creates permit requirements for thermal cleanup methods.

What it does

  • Requires the department to test all public drinking water systems in Alaska at least once every year for PFAS chemicals.
  • Mandates testing if a chemical is released near a water supply and provides free safe water if limits are exceeded.
  • Sets specific concentration limits, such as 4 parts per trillion for certain acids, that trigger action by the department.
  • Makes people who cause releases liable for costs if they failed to follow laws or manufacturer instructions during use or disposal.
  • Shifts liability to product manufacturers if the person using the product followed all applicable rules and instructions.
  • Requires facilities cleaning up contamination with heat to get a permit that ensures minimal release of airborne compounds.

Who it affects

  • Public water systems located in Alaska
  • People who cause releases of PFAS substances
  • Manufacturers of products containing PFAS substances
  • Facilities using thermal remediation to clean up contamination

Limits and unknowns

  • The law takes effect on January 1, 2027, except for liability rules which take effect immediately.
  • Specific limits and definitions may be updated if the department establishes new regulations in the future.

Plain language

Terms to know

PFAS
Short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of chemicals that can contaminate water.
Thermal remediation
A cleanup method that uses heat to treat or destroy contamination from PFAS substances.
Hazard index
A calculation used when multiple chemicals are mixed in water by adding the quotients of their measured concentrations divided by health-based values.

Official record

Sources

Validated
Official bill pageIntroduced textCurrent bill text

Official summary

PFAS USE & REMEDIATION, WATER TESTING An Act relating to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances; relating to thermal remediation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination; and providing for an effective date.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. (S) Minutes (SSTA)Min
  2. (S) Heard & HeldText
  3. (S) STATE AFFAIRS at 03:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)Text
  4. (S) COSPONSOR(S): KIEHL, TOBIN, GRAY-JACKSON, CLAMAN1490
  5. (S) REFERRED TO STATE AFFAIRS1489
  6. (S) STA, FIN1489
  7. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS1489