PFOA Frequently Asked Questions
On September 1, 2021, the Township of Verona Water Utility released a Public Notice as required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection with regard to an excess of the PFOA in the drinking water provided by the Township. The Public Notice can be found here.
Normally, the water received by Township residents is a blend of water purchased from Passaic Valley Water Commission and water supplied by Township wells (Fairview Avenue Well and Linn Drive Well). The water in the Township wells is currently testing over the contamination limit for PFOA. Remediation to get the wells back in service so that PFOA is removed to an acceptable level will take approximately a year. Therefore, the Township has removed both Township wells from service and all water currently received by Township residents is purchased from Passaic Valley Water Commission. The water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission does not exceed the contamination limits for PFOA per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Accordingly, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink.
The Township Council began discussion of this water matter in public session at the August 2, 2021 Council Meeting. The matter was again discussed on August 16, 2021 and the August 31 special meeting. Discussion will continue to occur at all Regular Meetings of the Township Council until the wells have been remediated and are returned to service.
Lab Results
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), consisting of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), are a group of manmade chemicals with many commercial and industrial uses that have been associated with a variety of adverse health effects in humans.
All water currently received by Township residents is purchased from Passaic Valley Water Commission. The water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission does not exceed the contamination limits for PFOA per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Accordingly, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink.
Yes, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink. All water currently received by Township residents is purchased from Passaic Valley Water Commission. The water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission does not exceed the contamination limits for PFOA per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Accordingly, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink.
The Township anticipates no changes to the water bills. The water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users is safe to drink.
The Township is not able to confirm what types of home water filters, if any, are sufficient to lower or eliminate the amount of PFAS chemicals in the drinking water. However, All water currently received by Township residents is purchased from the Passaic Valley Water Commission. The water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission does not exceed the contamination limits for PFOA per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Accordingly, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink.
The Township is not able to confirm what types of home water filters, if any, are sufficient to lower or eliminate the amount of PFAS chemicals in the drinking water. However, All water currently received by Township residents is purchased from the Passaic Valley Water Commission. The water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission does not exceed the contamination limits for PFOA per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Accordingly, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink.
Unfortunately, PFAS is common in the groundwater around North Jersey and no specific source of the contamination has been identified that affects the aquifers in Verona. However, All water currently received by Township residents is purchased from the Passaic Valley Water Commission. The water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission does not exceed the contamination limits for PFOA per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Accordingly, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink.
Verona only began testing for PFAS in 2020 when required by a change in regulations by the DEP. We are unable estimate how long PFAS chemicals have been in the groundwater. The DEP issued a violation on July 21, 2021. On July 28, 2021, out of an abundance of caution the Township switched our water supplier solely to the Passaic Valley Water Commission. The water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission does not exceed the contamination limits for PFOA per the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection regulations. Accordingly, the water currently being distributed to the Township’s water users meets all safety standards and is safe to drink.
The notice that was sent is a standard form notice that is required by NJDEP. The recommendation that people contact their medical providers is due to the fact that neither the Township nor the NJDEP is qualified to provide medical advice with regard to previous consumption of water containing elevated levels of PFAS.
The Fairview Avenue well is located on Hillwood Terrace, on the right hand side prior to the Hillwood Senior Apartments.
The Linn Drive Well is located outside the Verona Community Center Annex Building.
Unfortunately, PFAS is common in the groundwater around North Jersey and no specific source of the contamination has been identified that affects the aquifers in Verona. Verona only began testing for PFAS in 2020 when required by a change in regulations by the DEP. We are unable estimate how long PFAS chemicals have been in the groundwater and if the levels have previously been lower.
Verona monitors its drinking water to ensure it meets the safety standards of the USEPA and NJDEP. Regular testing of the drinking water is conducted as required by our permit overseen by the NJDEP. If contamination is discovered, public notification and remediation will be done as is required by NJDEP and the USEPA.
