Bill
HB 5475
HB5475 requires PFAS-focused sampling and full discharge characterization in NPDES permits and land-application of sludge to curb PFAS discharges.
Title: EPA-WASTE DISCHARGE PERMIT
Jurisdiction: Illinois
Sponsor: Rep. Laura Faver-Dias
Introduced: February 13, 2026
Purpose and intent
- The bill amends the Environmental Protection Act to strengthen the regulation of discharges and land application of waste, with a specific focus on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
- It requires NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permits to include PFAS-related sampling and discharge characterization, and to ensure PFAS testing is performed where discharges may contain PFAS.
Key provisions and changes
1) PFAS-focused sampling in NPDES permits (new requirements under Section 39.16)
- For major facilities designated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. EPA as major:
- Publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) must conduct periodic sampling of influent, effluent, and biosolids for all PFAS for which accredited wastewater analytical methods exist.
- Other facilities must conduct periodic sampling of effluent for all PFAS with accredited wastewater analytical methods.
- Requires PFAS characterization in permit applications for discharges with potential PFAS content.
2) PFAS data in permit applications (new Section 39.16)
- Any NPDES permit application for wastewater with potential PFAS must fully characterize the discharge through sample results for all PFAS with accredited analytical methods.
3) PFAS testing for sludge/biosolids land application
- No permit for land applying sludge/biosolids may be issued unless the application includes sample results for PFAS for all substances with accredited methods.
- Any such land-applied sludge/biosolids permits must require periodic PFAS sampling of the sludge/biosolids (minimum PFAS sampling coverage).
4) General and specific PFAS testing provisions (within Section 39 and 39.16)
- The Agency must require PFAS data as part of permit applications for discharges and ensure comprehensive PFAS testing where applicable.
- General NPDES permits may be used for categories of sources, but must still conform to PFAS testing expectations when applicable.
5) Public notice, data transparency, and procedural elements (as part of the Act’s permit framework)
- The provisions align with existing permit procedures: application, public notice, and written statements explaining permit decisions, ensuring PFAS data is publicly accessible as part of the permit file.
6) Related contemporaneous elements of the Environmental Protection Act (Section 39 framework)
- The bill maintains standard permit issuance procedures, timelines, and public participation requirements, with PFAS-specific data requirements integrated into the normal permit lifecycle.
Who is affected
- Facilities that discharge wastewater into navigable waters or wells under NPDES permits, especially:
- Major facilities and POTWs (publicly owned treatment works)
- Other wastewater dischargers with PFAS-containing discharges
- Facilities land-applying sludge or biosolids (biosolids management)
- Illinois EPA (Agency) and the Board, which would implement and enforce the PFAS testing and reporting requirements.
- Public stakeholders who access permit records and PFAS data as part of public notice and transparency requirements.
Timeline and procedures
- The bill prescribes PFAS testing as a minimum requirement for specified NPDES permits and related land-application permits.
- It integrates PFAS data collection into existing permit application processes, with periodic sampling requirements to be implemented as part of ongoing permit administration.
- The precise effective date and transition provisions would be determined by the act’s passage and any implementing rules adopted by the Agency and the Board.
Notes
- The bill references “accredited wastewater analytical methods” for PFAS, meaning testing would use methods recognized by authorities for PFAS analysis.
- The text emphasizes thorough PFAS characterization for discharges and for the land application of sludge/biosolids, aiming to reduce PFAS-related environmental and public health risks.
This summary captures the substantive changes HB5475 would introduce regarding PFAS testing and characterization in NPDES permits and related land-application permits, along with the affected entities and general procedural context.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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