EPA Draft Rule Tests Industry’s Climate Nerve

EPA’s proposed 2026 stormwater permit may spur climate based design and PFAS testing.

4 Dec 2025

The US Environmental Protection Agency is proposing major revisions to its 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit, signalling a shift in how industrial facilities manage stormwater in regions where the agency serves as the permitting authority under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

The draft rule, which is open for public comment, has drawn close attention from manufacturers, engineering firms and environmental groups anticipating one of the most significant updates to stormwater regulation in years. It points to a future in which climate-informed oversight plays a larger role in industrial planning and infrastructure design.

A central provision would require facilities to incorporate forward-looking climate projections into the design of stormwater controls, rather than relying solely on historical rainfall data. If adopted, the measure could prompt infrastructure upgrades at some sites and promote wider interest in resilient, climate-ready systems.

The EPA also proposes quarterly sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — a move analysts say could lay groundwork for future national action on these chemicals, which are highly resistant to degradation and increasingly subject to regulation.

Engineering consultants note that corporate demand for modernised drainage and filtration systems was already rising as companies reassessed long-term compliance strategies. “The draft rule accelerates a trend already underway,” one adviser said, adding that early investment in climate-ready systems could leave businesses better positioned if standards tighten.

Industry groups have acknowledged potential environmental benefits but warned that smaller operators could face financial strain depending on how the final permit and corresponding state programmes are implemented.

Analysts view the proposal as part of a broader policy shift that places climate resilience at the centre of industrial risk management. Should states choose to align their own permits with federal expectations, demand could grow for treatment technologies, filtration systems and advisory services.

With an anticipated transition date of February 2026, the year ahead is expected to be decisive for stormwater professionals and regulators alike, as they assess how the EPA’s proposal will shape the next phase of industrial water management in the United States.