HB 611 — Forever Chemicals Transparency Act; enact

H.B. 611, the “Forever Chemicals Transparency Act,” requires publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) and the industrial facilities that discharge into them to identify and report the manufacture, use, or potential discharge of PFAS chemicals. The bill reflects the General Assembly’s findings that PFAS are persistent, harmful, widespread in Georgia’s water systems, and extremely expensive to remove once they reach drinking water or wastewater facilities. It establishes detailed definitions and sets up a statewide disclosure framework so the state and local utilities can trace PFAS at the source.

For cities, which operate most POTWs, the bill creates new responsibilities. By December 31, 2025, every city-owned treatment plant must request PFAS-related information from each of its industrial users, and starting in April 2026, must receive updated disclosures annually. Cities with pretreatment programs will also need to incorporate PFAS reporting into their permit applications and renewals, track certifications, and potentially adjust local ordinances or monitoring practices to stay compliant. These tasks will require additional administrative work, recordkeeping, and coordination with industrial facilities.