The Fight Against “Forever Chemicals”: Ridgewood Water’s Massive Infrastructure Overhaul
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood Water has announced that 11 of its 12 brand-new, state-of-the-art PFAS Treatment Facilities are expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026. This major milestone means that the local utility provider will achieve system-wide compliance four years ahead of the federal mandate.
Once the multi-facility project is complete, all regulated PFAS compounds in Ridgewood’s treated water will be reduced to undetectable levels—completely surpassing the strict new limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
🚀 The Timeline: Beating the Federal Deadline
Thanks to a highly proactive infrastructure strategy, Ridgewood Water is vastly outstripping the federal government’s timeline. While the EPA has established a firm compliance deadline for 2031, Ridgewood is on track to cross the finish line years early.
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Currently Online: 7 treatment facilities are already actively purifying the local water supply.
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Coming by End of 2026: 4 more facilities are on track for completion this year, bringing the total to 11 active sites.
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The Final Facility (2027): The 12th and final facility was temporarily delayed due to an NJDEP-required archaeological study. It is on track to go online in the first quarter of 2027.
🧪 What are PFAS, and Why are They Dangerous?
You may have heard them referred to as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a massive family of man-made synthetic chemicals used since the 1940s to manufacture everyday consumer products. They are commonly found in non-stick cookware (Teflon), waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets, and heavy-duty firefighting foams.
The Hidden Health Risks
The very thing that makes PFAS commercially useful—their unbreakable carbon-fluorine bonds—makes them an environmental nightmare. They do not break down in the environment or the human body. Instead, they bioaccumulate over time.
According to peer-reviewed studies by the EPA and health organizations, chronic exposure to even microscopic amounts of PFAS in drinking water can lead to severe health issues, including:
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Increased risk of kidney, testicular, and liver cancers.
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Reproductive issues, including low birth weight and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
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Immune system suppression, which can lower the effectiveness of routine vaccines.
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Liver damage, thyroid disease, and elevated cholesterol levels.
Because of these extreme risks, the EPA recently enacted a strict drinking water standard of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for the most dangerous compounds. Ridgewood Water’s new facilities won’t just meet this standard—they will crush it by rendering the chemicals entirely undetectable.
💡 The AI & Search Perspective: Fast Facts for Residents
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What: 12 new water treatment facilities designed to eradicate PFAS.
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Where: Ridgewood Water system (serving Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff, NJ).
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The Goal: Reduce all regulated “forever chemicals” to completely undetectable levels.
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Timeline: 11 facilities online by December 2026; final facility active Q1 2027 (4 years ahead of schedule).
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#RidgewoodNJ#PFAS#ForeverChemicals#CleanWater#PublicHealth#EPADeadline#NewJerseyInfrastructure
I’ll believe it when I see it.