Middlesex Water Says Edison-Metuchen Water Supply Has High PFOA

EDISON, NJ — Thousands of residents in Edison and Metuchen were left with questions about the safety of their water. Middlesex Water sent a warning letter to customers telling them the water supply has high levels of the chemical PFOA.

The company said they detected high levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in groundwater samples from the Park Avenue Treatment Plant in South Plainfield.

“Because we exceeded a standard, we were required to provide notice to customers served by that plant, which includes specific language set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP),” the company said in their letter.

The company told consumers that it received a notice in early September that the PFOA limit rose to 36.1 parts per trillion (ppt) in a sample collected on Aug.2, which is more than twice the permissible limit of 14 ppt enforced by the NJ Department of Environmental protection.

Middlesex Water said the heightened reading was due to a new shift in standards by the NJDEP. The NJDEP started regulating PFOA last summer. The company said the PFOA levels still complies with the non-enforceable EPA health advisory level of 70 ppt. However, the language in the notice was required by DEP regulation.

“We understand that you may be concerned about PFOA and, because of public health perceptions surrounding PFOA, we are too. Drinking water systems like ours are not producers or users of PFOA, instead, they are potential receivers of these chemical compounds used by manufacturers and consumers,” the company said.

“As a result, we must now implement costly solutions to remediate PFOA from our groundwater supplies. Middlesex Water is not alone in battling this contaminant. PFOA has been detected in drinking water supplies throughout our state and across the country.”

Middlesex Water said they have begun litigation in U.S. District Court against the “party we believe is responsible for the presence of PFOA in our groundwater.”

Communities affected by this also include Clarke, Woodbridge, and Rahway.

The company said they are constructing upgrades to their plant, at an estimated cost of $47 million, which will utilize Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration to remove PFOA.

The plant is expected to be in service by mid-2023.

“In the interim, we advise all sensitive populations to consult their health care provider if they ever have any concerns with their water supply or about PFOA in their environment in general,” the company said.

They also asked customers to use alternative sources of water if they are severely immuno-compromised; if feeding infants; are pregnant or considering having children. Boiling water does not remove PFOA, the company said.

What Is PFOA?

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of the group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), used in the manufacture of non-stick cookware and other products, including other commercial and industrial uses. PFOA has also been used in aqueous film-forming foams for firefighting and training, and it is found in consumer products like stain-resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets, water-resistant outdoor clothing, and greaseproof food packaging.

According to the company, major sources of PFOA in drinking water include discharge from industrial facilities.

Town Hall

In a call with Middlesex Water representatives, Metuchen Mayor Jonathan M Busch said he expressed the “Borough’s deep concern regarding recent notifications.”

Busch said also spoke with Woodbridge Mayor John E. McCormac about the water issue. “The Mayor has graciously invited our residents to attend a meeting that the Township is hosting with Middlesex Water representatives in the Colonia High School auditorium this Monday, October 25 at 7 p.m.,” Busch said in a Facebook post.

Metuchen residents can attend the Townhall and ask questions from Middlesex Water representatives. Meanwhile, the borough is in the process of scheduling a similar meeting in the near future, Busch said.

On Monday afternoon, Edison Mayor Thomas Lankey announced a public meeting with senior management officials from Middlesex Water Company on Thursday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. at John P. Stevens High School, 855 Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ.

The Mayors of Metuchen, Woodbridge, Edison, and South Plainfield have been on call and are discussing the matter with officials from Middlesex Water.

For more information on PFOA and other questions, customers can visit Middlesex Water Company website.

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