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FLUKE
Kimball Electronics
Tolomatic
Industrial Scientific
AHEAD
roboception
By Hitesh Ram | Tue Jan 6 2026 | 2 min read

Table of Contents

Maryland has taken a significant step towards safeguarding its water resources with the enactment of House Bill 1153, known as the Protecting State Waters - PFAS Pollution Act. This legislation aims to curb the contamination of state waters by regulating the discharge of PFAS chemicals, which are notorious for their persistence in the environment and potential health risks. Let's dive into the key provisions of this act and understand what it means for industrial users and the overall water quality in Maryland.

Key Provisions of Maryland’s PFAS Pollution Act

Establishing PFAS Discharge Limits in Maryland

One of the cornerstone elements of HB1153 is the establishment of a strict discharge limit for PFAS chemicals. Significant industrial users must ensure that any water, including stormwater, they discharge contains no more than 4 parts per trillion (ppt) of PFAS chemicals. This stringent limit aims to drastically reduce the amount of PFAS entering Maryland's water bodies.

PFAS Requirements for Significant Industrial Users in Maryland

The act places several obligations on significant industrial users, defined as entities that discharge substantial amounts of processed wastewater or have a notable impact on the capacity of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs).

These users are required to:

Reduce PFAS Levels: Industrial users must implement measures to reduce PFAS levels in their wastewater to comply with the 4 ppt limit. This can involve substituting products containing PFAS, decontaminating equipment, and avoiding accidental discharges.

  • Monitor and Report: By January 1, 2025, the Department of the Environment, in collaboration with POTWs, will develop monitoring and testing protocols. Significant industrial users must measure and report their PFAS levels by specified deadlines.
  • Mitigation Plans: By June 1, 2025, the Department, together with POTWs and industrial users, will establish action levels and mitigation plans to address PFAS contamination. These plans will include strategies for reducing PFAS presence, such as replacing contaminated equipment or using alternative substances.

PFAS Safe Storage and Disposal in Maryland

HB1153 also outlines requirements for the safe storage and disposal of PFAS chemicals. Industrial users must store PFAS chemicals safely and can reuse them in facility operations as permitted by law. However, disposal methods are tightly regulated to prevent further environmental contamination. Disposal at solid waste landfills, incineration, and land application are prohibited unless approved by the Department.

PFAS Timeline and Compliance in Maryland

The act sets forth a clear timeline for compliance:

  • October 1, 2024: Identification of significant industrial users currently using PFAS.
  • January 1, 2025: Development of PFAS monitoring and testing protocols.
  • June 1, 2025: Establishment of PFAS action levels and mitigation plans.
  • September 1, 2025: Significant industrial users must report their PFAS levels.
  • July 1, 2026: Implementation of measures to reduce PFAS in discharged water.

What are the PFAS Implications for Industrial Users in Maryland

Industrial users in Maryland will need to adapt to these new regulations by investing in technologies and practices that minimize PFAS contamination.

This may involve:

  • Product Substitution: Finding alternatives to PFAS-containing products used in manufacturing processes.
  • Process Changes: Implementing new processes to decontaminate equipment and prevent accidental releases.
  • Monitoring Systems: Establishing robust systems to monitor PFAS levels and ensure compliance with discharge limits.

State and Federal Collaboration for PFAS in Maryland

HB1153 mandates that Maryland’s Department of the Environment collaborate with POTWs and significant industrial users to ensure the effective implementation of the act. The Department will also align its actions with federal regulations and guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Maryland's HB1153 represents a proactive approach to addressing the environmental and health challenges posed by PFAS pollution. By setting stringent discharge limits and requiring significant industrial users to adopt comprehensive monitoring, reporting, and mitigation measures, the state aims to protect its water resources and public health.

Download our eBook to learn more about PFAS Reporting and Recordkeeping under TSCA section 8 (a)7.

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Maryland’s HB1153 PFAS Pollution Act Protecting State Waters

Maryland House Bill 1153, the Protecting State Waters – PFAS Pollution Act, is a state-level environmental law designed to prevent PFAS contamination of surface waters and wastewater systems. Unlike product bans or disclosure rules, this law targets industrial discharges. It reflects Maryland’s decision to regulate PFAS at the point of environmental release, particularly where industrial wastewater threatens drinking water sources and public treatment infrastructure.
HB 1153 establishes one of the most stringent PFAS discharge limits in the United States. Significant industrial users must ensure that any water discharged — including stormwater — contains no more than 4 parts per trillion (ppt) of PFAS. This is not a reporting benchmark; it is a hard operational limit that will require treatment, substitution, or process redesign for many facilities.
A significant industrial user generally includes facilities that discharge substantial volumes of processed wastewater or materially affect the capacity or operation of publicly owned treatment works (POTWs). If your facility interacts with POTWs or discharges treated or untreated wastewater in Maryland, you should assume potential coverage until confirmed otherwise by the Maryland Department of the Environment.
HB 1153 requires Maryland to develop standardized PFAS monitoring and testing protocols in coordination with POTWs. Once implemented, significant industrial users must measure and report PFAS levels according to state-defined schedules. This moves PFAS compliance from voluntary sampling to mandatory, regulator-aligned measurement, with data expected to support enforcement and corrective actions.
Industrial users must actively reduce PFAS levels in wastewater to meet the 4 ppt limit. This may include substituting PFAS-containing inputs, decontaminating equipment, modifying production processes, and preventing accidental releases. By mid-implementation, mitigation plans are expected to be formalized, documented, and aligned with state-defined action levels — not handled informally.
HB 1153 restricts how PFAS chemicals may be stored, reused, and disposed of. While reuse within facility operations may be allowed, disposal routes such as landfilling, incineration, or land application are prohibited unless explicitly approved by the state. This shifts PFAS management from waste handling to controlled lifecycle oversight, increasing liability for improper disposal decisions.
Maryland’s approach under HB 1153 is designed to align with evolving federal PFAS policy while moving faster at the state level. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides guidance and federal standards, but Maryland is asserting its authority to impose stricter discharge controls. For industrial users, this means federal compliance alone will not satisfy Maryland’s water protection requirements.