By Patricia Hilliard • Conservation Chair, Hudson County Group
Whether you think the glass is half full or half empty, the real concern is whether the water is safe to drink! “Decades old drinking water infrastructure systems, declining water use, costs of regulatory compliance, and stagnant federal funding have resulted in many water utilities struggling to fund the cost of operations and maintenance of these systems,” the American Society of Civil engineers said in a report. New Jersey residents need to keep up the pressure for improvements. Below are some recent highlights of water quality improvement efforts:
Water Quality, Past to Present
Although Gov. Chris Christie’s administration (2010-2018) obstructed water quality improvement efforts, Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration has ushered in higher standards for safe drinking water, worked to mitigate lead contamination, and more. Needed upgrades have been posted, including for Trenton, Newark, and Jersey City.
The Star-Ledger reported in April of 2022 that Newark began a $23 million water quality and capacity upgrade at Pequannock Water Treatment Plant at West Milford. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka spoke to Congress on how quickly and efficiently 23,000 lead-containing service lines were replaced in Newark (in three years as opposed to the 10 projected), making Newark’s effort a model. Other communities in New Jersey are seeing improvements as well.
In August 22, 2022, the Star-Ledger reported that “Feds shortchanged N.J.” on lead pipe replacement funds. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) misallocated funds based on incomplete data. New Jersey got $138 in federal funding for each lead-containing connection in need of replacement, but Hawaii got $10,098. Democratic lawmakers have asked the EPA to fix this.
On March 3, 2022, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported an analysis by Environment New Jersey and the Black Church Center for Justice and Equality that noted lead in 66 of 72 school water systems in Atlantic County’s 25 school districts.” It said lead contamination in Atlantic County was “just the tip of the toxic iceberg” for NJ schools. The analysis was based on data from 2017 to 2022, although one school administrator told the Inquirer her district had begun remediations.
Can It Get Any Worse Than Lead? PFAS!
What are PFAS? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—carbon-based chemicals that are used in firefighting foams, coatings for upholstery and carpets, and in water- and grease-resistant coatings on clothing and food containers. PFAS are widespread throughout New Jersey, although new standards have been imposed.
What Is Being Done?
On June 1, 2020, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) established maximum contamination levels of 14 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and 13 ppt for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). These members of the PFAS family are linked to serious illnesses, including cancer. The rules were initially far stricter than the EPA’s guidelines, which were amended last summer to 0.004 ppt for PFOA and 0.02 ppt for PFOS.
The Biden administration is offering funds for PFAS cleanup. Many NJ water systems exceed PFAS maximums. In April 2022, a Superior Court judge ruled allowed a class-action lawsuit against Middlesex Water Company, which exceeded limits of PFOA in drinking water.
Monitoring Water Quality
Practically all schools in New Jersey are required to test their water and make the results publicly available on the school’s website and in the school four days after receipt of final laboratory results.
Here is the guidance for school districts on lead testing requirements.
How to monitor your home/business drinking water: Click on the link and see the highlights box on the right. Click on “get a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report.” If you have private water, you will need a testing service.
Resources
ASCE 2021 Infrastructure Report Card: bit.ly/3zTMVQq
Needed NJ Upgrades: bit.ly/3hopGYF
Your school’s water quality: bit.ly/3WIuxEc
Lead guidance for schools: bit.ly/3tadOw4
Monitoring home/business water: bit.ly/3fIyCHF