PVWC Post Brook System Has Levels of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) Above Drinking Water Standards

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

The Passaic Valley Water Commission- Post Brook System Has Levels of Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS) Above Drinking Water Standards

Our water system recently violated a New Jersey drinking water standard. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did/are doing to correct this situation.

We routinely monitor for the presence of federal and state regulated drinking water contaminants. New Jersey adopted a standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for PFOS in 2020 and monitoring began in 2021. The MCL for PFOSis 0.013 micrograms per liter (µg/L) and is based on a running annual average (RAA), in which the four most recent quarters of monitoring data are averaged. On January 13, 2022, we received results that our sample taken January 3, 2022 was 0.047 µg/L. The RAA for PFOS based on samples collected over the last year is 0.052 µg/L which exceeds the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for PFOS.

What is PFOS?

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) is a member of the group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), that are man-made and used in industrial and commercial applications. PFOS is used in metal plating and finishing as well as in various commercial products. PFOS has also been used in aqueous film-forming foams for firefighting and training, and it is found in consumer products such as stain-resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets, water-resistant outdoor clothing, and greaseproof food packaging. Major sources of PFOS in drinking water include discharge from industrial facilities where it was made or used, and the release of aqueous film-forming foam. Although the use of PFOS has decreased substantially, contamination is expected to continue indefinitely because it is extremely persistent in the environment and is soluble and mobile in water.

What does this notification mean?

People who drink water containing PFOS in excess of the MCL over time could experience problems with their immune system, kidney, liver, or endocrine system. For females, drinking water containing PFOS in excess of the MCL over many years may cause developmental effects and problems with the immune system, liver, or endocrine system in a fetus and/or an infant. Some of these developmental effects can persist through childhood.

For more information refer to: https://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/documents/pfas_drinking%20water.pdf.

What should I do?

•     If you have specific health concerns, a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water.

  • The New Jersey Department of Health advises that infant formula and other beverages for infants, such as juice, should be prepared with bottled water when PFOS is elevated in drinking water.
  • Pregnant, nursing, and women considering having children may choose to use bottled water for drinking and cooking to reduce exposure to PFOS.
  • Other people may also choose to use bottled water for drinking and cooking to reduce exposure to PFOS or a home water filter that is certified to reduce levels of PFOS. Home water treatment devices are available that can reduce levels of PFOS. For more specific information regarding the effectiveness of home water filters for reducing PFOS, visit the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International website, http://www.nsf.org/.
  • Boiling your water will not remove PFOS.

For more information, see https://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/pdf/pfoa-pfos-faq.pdf.

What is being done?

Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) has been monitoring PFOS in the Nosenzo Pond Wells for multiple years to determine whether the Post Brook water supply contains PFOS, at what levels, and at what frequency. After reviewing the data PVWC determined that the installation of a treatment system that can remove PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals is the best course of action.

PVWC received temporary approval on January 11, 2022 for installation of a temporary treatment system. Due to supply chain issues we are still waiting on the needed materials for installation. We hope to have the temporary treatment operational by mid-year. In the interim we have continued moving forward with mapping out and planning for the permanent treatment system to reduce the levels of PFOS in the water delivered to your community.

To view all the drinking water quality data collected by PVWC visit https://www9.state.nj.us/DEP_WaterWatch_public/index.jsp and enter NJ1615008 for the PWSID.

For more information, please contact our Customer Service Department at 973-340-4300 or customerservice@pvwc.com.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

This notice is being sent to you by Passaic Valley Water Commission. State Water System ID#: NJ1615008

Contact Us

Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Main Office:
Passaic Valley Water Commission
1525 Main Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011

Telephone: 973-340-4300
Fax: 973-340-5598

Emergency:
By calling Customer Service 973-340-4300 at any time, day or night, Passaic Valley Water Commission will respond to water emergency situations for you.

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