Middlesex Water Begins Treating PFOA Contaminated Wellfield

EDISON, NJ — Middlesex Water Company announced it has completed phase 1 construction of a water treatment facility at its Park Avenue wellfield.

The advanced facility will treat groundwater to ensure compliance with all state and federal drinking water standards, the company said.

Middlesex Water is also working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), and has begun a phased, start-up of its Park Avenue wellfield. The company said it has successfully introduced treated water into the distribution system.

The wells were turned off in November after high levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) was found in groundwater samples. Read More: Middlesex Water Says Edison-Metuchen Water Supply Has High PFOA

The company began providing water from its surface water treatment plant and other sources. Customers in a number of townships, including Edison, Metuchen, Clarke, Woodbridge, and Rahway were affected.

“As the summer months approach, our team has been focused on meeting consumption demands and constantly evaluating operational alternatives to continue to ensure a safe and reliable source of drinking water,” Dennis Doll, Chairman, President and CEO, said in a statement. “Establishing an advance treatment solution while the larger portion of the new plant is being constructed allows us to utilize an existing source of supply and produce water from our wellfield that complies with state and federal guidelines while also supporting seasonal demands.”

Water delivered to customers is in compliance with drinking water standards set by regulatory bodies, including the newly established water quality standard for PFOA.

Middlesex Water Company is also facing a class-action lawsuit over water contamination. But last month, the company filed a third-party complaint, saying 3M Company was responsible for the contamination and should be the target of the class-action lawsuit.

The water treatment facility is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

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