Water groups fear the chemicals' new classification as hazardous substances will leave them open to lawsuits from PFAS producers. 

Agency seeks public input on expanding scope of PFAS chemicals to regulate, a move that has raised concerns of municipal water supply agencies.

Administrator Michael Regan said some cleanups have awaited federal dollars for give more than five years; new infrastructure bill funding will start work at 49 sites in 24 states.

Agency plan for so-called forever chemicals include regulation under the federal Safe Water Drinking Act and under the Superfund law

Declining funding, inconsistent policies and changing administrations hamper federal program to clean up nation’s most polluted sites