The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced its first-ever drinking water standard to protect people against toxic “forever chemicals” found in many household and everyday items.
The agency is so committed to removing these cancer-causing chemicals that it is making $1 billion available to states for public water system testing.
New Jersey American Water, the largest water company in the state, was thrilled by the news.
Camden-based NJAW’s president, Mark McDonough, said it is prepared to meet the EPA’s drinking water standards for PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances, also referred to as “forever chemicals” that historically have been used in many household products, including nonstick cookware, stain repellants and waterproofing.
“As a company whose mission is rooted in safeguarding clean, reliable drinking water, we support the EPA’s efforts to protect public health,” McDonough said.
The company, in fact, has been doing so for years, McDonough said.
“New Jersey American Water is well-positioned to stay at the forefront of regulatory and monitoring PFAS strategies, building on our proactive capital planning, engineering upgrades and advanced water quality treatment capabilities throughout New Jersey since 2012,” he said.
“New Jersey American Water strongly supports sound governmental policies that ensure compliance by all water utilities, while also protecting customers and communities from these costs. For this reason, we, along with American Water, are advocating for funds to help mitigate compliance costs from both those who created the problem through participation in multidistrict litigation and government funding. We also believe that all water and wastewater utility providers, whether privately or municipally owned, should have equal access to any federal and/or state funding related to treating PFAS.”
New Jersey American Water is a subsidiary of American Water; it provides water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people in New Jersery.
