the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, as previously reported on the Ridgewood blog on April 10, 2024 the US EPA released the first national regulations on PFAS Compounds. Water Utilities around the country will now have 3 years to test their water sources and two additional years to take action such as installing treatment in order to be in compliance.
“Let’s be clear. PFAS is not a local problem. It is a global problem,” said Mayor Paul Vagianos. “Ridgewood Water is so far ahead of the curve because we began planning for this when it initially became a concern. By 2026, Ridgewood Water will be the standard that all other water providers will aspire towards.”
“Forever chemicals” is a term used to describe a group of synthetic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are called “forever” because they do not break down in the environment over time, hence persisting indefinitely.
PFAS are widely used in various industrial and consumer products due to their unique properties, such as resistance to heat, water, and oil. They have been used in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware (e.g., Teflon), stain-resistant fabrics, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and many other applications.
The concern with PFAS arises from their persistence in the environment and potential health effects. Because they do not break down easily, PFAS can accumulate in soil, water, air, and living organisms over time. Human exposure to PFAS can occur through ingestion of contaminated food and water, inhalation of contaminated air, and skin contact with products containing PFAS.
Studies have linked PFAS exposure to various adverse health effects, including developmental effects in infants, effects on the immune system, increased cholesterol levels, thyroid disorders, and certain types of cancer. Due to these concerns, there is growing interest in regulating and reducing the use of PFAS in consumer products and industrial processes.
Utilities have until 2029 to be compliant. Ridgewood Water will be in compliance in 2026 .
Maximum Contaminant Limit Goals are set to zero ppt Current Testing capacity can only test down to 1.3 ppt 1.3 ppt or below = nondetectable .
NJ Limits are set to 13 and 14 ppt, and the US EPA sets limits as low as 4 ppt RW’s
PFAS Treatment Master Plan is designed to reach nondetectable levels .
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You can set arbitrary standards for what amounts to acceptable levels of poison in your water but because the issue with these chemicals is that they don’t break down you’re still looking at a cumulative problem; you’ve just extended the time frame a little.
Nationwide problem
I am just curious if other municipalities are actively suing companies for millions of dollars, like the heavy hitters, 3M and Dupont for putting the PFAS forever chemicals into the municpal water in ridgewood as it expressly lays out in the Ridgewood water law suit. Obviously Ridgewood water would be concerned as they serve other towns like Midland Park, Wyckoff and Glen Rock in addition to Ridgewood and understandably will require millions to fix their current water issues, but it has become apparent that PFAS chemicals by way of artificial turf being proposed on a new field would also have serious consequences for residents who would be impacted and many people are waiting to see how Ridgewood will be handling this situation related to groundwater near private residential wells. There is a case that sounds very similar in Massachusettes where a town was involved in planning a turf field next to a brook near homes and the neighborhood was able to file an appeal to get the project halted which is the same thing should be happening in Ridgewood. It is gross negligence and should be stopped immediately.
I doubt other towns want to throw their money away like that. But it’s the obvious answer isn’t it? Why not just stop the problem at the source? But instead, we’ll regulate the problem such that it gives the impression that we’re doing something about it, and this will satisfy 99% of the walking dead.
The majority of PFAS get in the water from various manufacturing processes for things like non-stick cookware, clothing, cleaners, etc. Not so much from artificial turf. So try to imagine banning all those products that use those plastics (not likely).
I’ll believe it when I see it.
With a big increase in the water rate.
More BS from Ridgewood Water who
continues to miss deadlines,
continues to poison us
and continues to charge us to do so.