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the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Clean water is finally on tap for Ridgewood students. During the July 10th Coffee Talk with Superintendent of Schools Mark Schwarz, it was confirmed that PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) filters are now being installed at all functioning water fountains across Ridgewood schools.
PFAS are harmful “forever chemicals” linked to serious health concerns, including developmental issues in children and increased cancer risk. For months, parents raised alarms about the presence of unfiltered water fountains, urging the district to take stronger action. Initial responses from officials suggested that universal PFAS filtering was cost-prohibitive and proposed alternative funding efforts via Home & School Associations (HSAs) and even Dad’s Night fundraising.
But Ridgewood parents didn’t back down.
💧 Parents Push, District Listens
Despite the district’s earlier reluctance, residents kept the pressure on, demanding consistent, PFAS-free water across all school buildings. One key concern was that unfiltered fountains were still accessible to students, leaving families with no assurance of safe drinking water.
In response to the growing outcry, BOE Trustee Saurabh Dani emerged as a critical ally, advocating for taxpayers and pushing the district to fund a real solution.
🚰 What’s Next for Ridgewood’s Water Fountains?
According to Schwarz, all fountains that can be brought into PFAS compliance will be equipped with certified filters. While it’s not yet fully confirmed, any fountain that cannot meet filtration standards may be shut down. (Note: This point is subject to clarification pending review of the meeting recording.)
This shift in policy represents a major win for community advocates and student health.
🙌 Advocacy in Action
This victory underscores the power of organized, persistent parent advocacy. Thanks to a unified effort by concerned residents—and leadership from responsive officials like Trustee Dani—the school district is finally taking meaningful steps to safeguard children’s health.
Stay tuned for official updates from the Ridgewood Board of Education and the Superintendent’s office regarding filter installation timelines and affected fountains.
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What about replacing the water fountains in wall of village buildings.
Guess about five years ago they removed all the water fountains and never replaced them, we don’t know the true reason I’m saying, the pipes are rusty, or the water fountain inside where rusting out, which is it I don’t know. Maybe that’s why the village hole has water being delivered. Which is ridiculous when we own a water company talk about wasted money. Replace the dam water fountains in all village buildings. My God you can’t even get a drink of water, especially in the Fleet building who’s behind this. I’m tired of dealing with idiots in management
Five years ago, they removed all of the water fountain in the Fleet building, we were told that the pipes are rusted. So which is it and yet Village Hall and other office locations receive bottled water delivery service. And yet we own a major water company in North Jersey. Something is not right. So I guess the pipes are rusted or contaminated because they’re still continuing purchasing water. For the Office person now. But no bottled water for blue collar.
great news but what took so long…