Some environmental groups argue that the EPA can’t legally weaken the regulations. The Safe Water Drinking Act gives the EPA authority to limit water contaminants, and it includes a provision meant to prevent new rules from being looser than previous ones.

The Environmental Protection Agency will rescind and reconsider drinking water standards for four chemicals that have been linked to a range of illnesses.

The EPA announced plans Wednesday to roll back drinking water standards for so-called “forever chemicals.” In North Carolina, water treatment facilities across the state have spent millions to upgrade filtration systems to treat PFAS pollution.