Groundbreaking set for new Salem water treatment facility

New Jersey American Water, the largest regulated water utility in the state, serving about 2.9 million people, is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony at 2 p.m. on May 14 to mark the start of construction on a $5 million PFAS Removal Project at the Salem Water Treatment Plant.

The event, which will take place at 520 Grieves Parkway in Salem, will include remarks from elected officials, community leaders, and New Jersey American Water leadership.

Scheduled to attend the event are Mark McDonough, New Jersey American Water president; Dr. Jody Veler, mayor of Salem City; Robin A. Walton, chief philanthropy officer and senior vice president, external affairs of Inspira Health and chair of the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey; Zenon Christodoulou, Board of Public Utilities commissioner for New Jersey; and Gerard Velazquez, president and CEO of Cumberland County Improvement Authority.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. The PFAS treatment facility will be added to the existing Salem Water Treatment Plant. The facility was built in 2012 and will remain in service as the new treatment processes are integrated.

The new PFAS treatment addition is designed to treat up to 2 million gallons of water per day, to enhance the existing plant’s capacity to meet evolving water quality standards. The PFAS treatment is expected to be fully operational by December 2025.

New Jersey American Water expects hundreds of jobs will be supported with the PFAS upgrade, including jobs in engineering, construction, and technical services. Infrastructure upgrades are drivers of economic impact. The company says economic studies show that every $1 million invested can create up to 15 jobs across the economy.  

Instead of building water treatment plants, New Jersey American Water says it is focused on upgrading and modernizing existing facilities to meet changing regulatory standards and to help ensure long-term reliability. In 2024, the company said it invested more than $520 million to improve its water treatment and pipeline systems.

New Jersey American Water says its capital investment plan totals about $3.3 billion over the next five years. Much of that investment is focused on PFAS treatment and includes projects at its Raritan Millstone and Canal Road plants in Central New Jersey, as well as Jumping Brook, Swimming River, and Oak Glen in Monmouth County.