New Partnership Could Cut Water Testing Time from Weeks to Just 24 Hours
photos courtesy of the Ridgewood Water
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
RIDGEWOOD, NJ – The fight against PFAS “forever chemicals” in Bergen County water is moving into a new, accelerated phase. Ridgewood Water, which serves residents across four municipalities, has initiated a promising new collaboration aimed at drastically improving the speed and efficiency of its water treatment and testing processes.
Facilitated by NJIT’s Center for Translational Research, the utility recently met with PFASolve Inc. to discuss implementing cutting-edge solutions for the widespread contaminants.
From Weeks to Hours: Revolutionizing PFAS Testing
The most immediate benefit of the partnership lies in testing technology. According to Ridgewood Water Director Richard Calbi, the utility is constantly seeking ways to enhance PFAS treatment and testing methods.
“PFASolve is developing a testing method that delivers results in just 24 hours, compared to our current turnaround time of two weeks or more,” Calbi stated.
This massive reduction in turnaround time could be a game-changer, allowing Ridgewood Water to monitor and adjust its treatment facilities with unprecedented speed, potentially leading to faster compliance and safer drinking water.
Extending the Life of Critical Filters
In addition to rapid testing, the collaboration is focused on optimizing the utility’s existing infrastructure. PFASolve is also exploring methods to extend the life of the granular activated carbon (GAC) filters used in Ridgewood Water’s numerous PFAS Treatment Facilities.
Extending the life of these essential filters would not only improve operational efficiency but also provide significant cost savings for the four towns served by the utility (Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff).
Treatment Buildout Status: On Track for 2026 Goal
The new partnership comes as Ridgewood Water continues its massive infrastructure upgrade to address PFAS contamination across its service area.
During a recent Village Council work session, Village Manager Keith Kazmark provided an update on the buildout of the PFAS treatment facilities:
- 9 of 10 contracts for the new facilities have already been awarded.
- The final project is scheduled to be awarded before the end of this year.
- The utility remains on track to achieve undetectable levels of PFAS by the end of 2026.
However, residents like Denise Pierce Lima have expressed frustration over the timeline, noting that PFAS has been detected in the water for 11 consecutive years. Lima questioned why contamination levels haven’t yet improved, suggesting that a simple “flip of a switch in 2026” may not solve the complex issue.
The collaboration with NJIT and PFASolve is a clear indication that Ridgewood Water is seeking every available technological edge to meet that critical 2026 deadline and definitively solve the decades-long issue of “forever chemicals” in North Jersey drinking water.
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