WaterVO Floor Model Vapor Optimizer

Microplastics on EPA's Drinking Water Watch List: Final CCL 6 Due by Nov. 17

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says its final Sixth Contaminant Candidate List, known as CCL 6, is expected to be signed for publication by November 17, 2026. In the draft, the EPA named microplastics as a priority drinking water contaminant group for the first time. Here is what the list is, what it is not, and what you can do at home in the meantime.

What is in the draft CCL 6

EPA announced the draft list on April 1, 2026. It includes four contaminant groups (microplastics, pharmaceuticals, PFAS and disinfection byproducts), 75 chemicals and nine microbes that may be found in drinking water. EPA said it is the first time in the program's history that microplastics and pharmaceuticals have been designated as priority contaminant groups. EPA also released human health benchmarks for 374 pharmaceuticals at the same time. Source: EPA news release, April 1, 2026.

WaterVO Countertop Model Vapor Optimizer
WaterVO Countertop Vapor Optimizer. Image: WaterVO

A watch list, not a new limit

The CCL is a research and priority list. It is not a drinking water regulation, and being on it does not set a legal limit. The Safe Drinking Water Act requires EPA to publish a list like this every five years. According to EPA, after the final list is published the agency must decide whether or not to regulate at least five contaminants from it, in a separate process called Regulatory Determination. Source: EPA, CCL 6 Frequent Questions.

What you can do now

  • Read your water utility's annual water quality report so you know what your system tests for today.
  • Watch for the final CCL 6 after November 17. We will cover what changes from the draft.
  • If you want a drinking water source that does not depend on a tap line, look at water-from-air. It makes drinking water from the water vapor already in room air.
Spout Monolith on a stone kitchen counter as someone pours water from the pitcher into a glass
Spout Monolith. Photo: Spout

Three ways to start with water from the air

  • Spout Monolith, $1,495. Spout says output is 0.75 to 2.5 gallons a day, depending on temperature and humidity. See the Spout Monolith.
  • WaterVO Countertop Vapor Optimizer, $1,499. Makes up to about 2.5 gallons a day depending on humidity and temperature. See the Countertop Model.
  • WaterVO Floor Model Vapor Optimizer, $1,999. In coastal Southern California, expect roughly 1.5 to 2.5 gallons a day, and up to about 2.5 to 3.0 on humid summer days. See the Floor Model.

Hydrology University covers water basics and bottle and filter guides: hydrologyuniversity.com.

WaterVO: watervo.com · Hydrology University: hydrologyuniversity.com

Page link: https://watervo.com/blogs/news/epa-ccl-6-microplastics-final-list-due-november-17

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