The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released its draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL 6) for public comment, marking a significant milestone in drinking water protection. For the first time in the program's history, microplastics and pharmaceuticals — including antidepressants, hormones, and antibiotics — are designated as priority contaminant groups.
The draft list also includes PFAS, disinfection byproducts, 75 individual chemicals, and nine microbes.
Alongside CCL 6, EPA released human health benchmarks for 374 pharmaceuticals, giving water systems, states, and Tribes a new risk assessment tool.
A 60-day public comment period follows Federal Register publication, with the final list expected by November 2026. Submit comments to docket number EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0946 at regulations.gov.