Sep 12, 2024
Allendale Water System Has Levels of Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) Above A Drinking Water Standard
The Allendale Water System violated a New Jersey drinking water standard, and as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation.
Veolia Water New Jersey routinely monitors for the presence of federal and state regulated drinking water contaminants. New Jersey adopted a standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for PFOA in 2020 and monitoring began in 2021. The MCL for PFOA is 0.014 parts per billion (ppb) and is based on a running annual average (RAA), in which the four most recent quarters of monitoring data are averaged.
On Nov. 14, 2022, Veolia received notice that the sample collected on Oct. 13, 2022 showed that the Allendale Water System exceeded the PFOA MCL at the West Crescent Well (Plant number TP002003). The RAA was 0.015 ppb. The West Crescent Well had been used intermittently since the third quarter of 2022 until temporary PFAS treatment went online in February 2024. The West Crescent Well was most recently sampled for regulated PFAS compounds, including PFOA, in July 2024. The results showed no detectable level of PFOA. While the RAA is now below the state MCL at 0.0038 ppb, the system is not considered to be in compliance until a permanent treatment system for PFOA is installed and operational.
Quarter Quarter Value (ppb) RAA (ppb)
2nd quarter 2021 0.0169
3rd quarter 2021 0.0149
3rd quarter 2022 0.0119
4th quarter 2022 0.0176 0.015 (MCL exceedance)
2nd quarter 2023 0.0116 0.014
3rd quarter 2023 0.015 0.014
1st quarter 2024 Non-detect (< 0.002 ppb) 0.011
2nd quarter 2024 Non-detect (< 0.002 ppb) 0.0067 (Current RAA)
3rd quarter 2024 Non-detect (< 0.002 ppb) 0.0038 (Current RAA)
Although PFAS is now not detectable in the water from this well, an updated notice is required to be provided every three months on our website until permanent treatment is in place: https://mywater.veolia.us/allendale/alert/important-information-about-drinking-water-in-allendale. Permanent treatment is estimated to be completed by Fall 2027.
Please contact Customer Service at (855)367-6708 if you wish to continue to receive direct delivery of this three-month update notice.
What is PFOA?
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a member of the group of chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), used as a processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers used in non-stick cookware and other products, as well as other commercial and industrial uses, based on its resistance to harsh chemicals and high temperatures. PFOA has also been used in aqueous film-forming foams for firefighting and training, and it is found in consumer products such as stain-resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets, water-resistant outdoor clothing, and greaseproof food packaging. Major sources of PFOA in drinking water include discharge from industrial facilities where it was made or used and the release of aqueous film-forming foam. Although the use of PFOA has decreased substantially, contamination in the environment is expected to continue indefinitely because PFAS compounds are extremely persistent in the environment and are soluble and mobile in water.
What does this mean?
*People who drink water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over time could experience problems with their blood serum cholesterol levels, liver, kidney, immune system, or, in males, the reproductive system. Drinking water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over time may also increase the risk of testicular and kidney cancer. For females, drinking water containing PFOA in excess of the MCL over time may cause developmental delays in a fetus and/or an infant. Some of these developmental effects may persist through childhood.
*For specific health information, see https://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/documents/pfas_drinking%20water.pdf
What should I do?
While the temporary PFAS treatment system is online and recent results show PFOA is not currently detected, we are still required to issue public notice and notify consumers of steps they can take to reduce their exposure.
- The New Jersey Department of Health advises that infant formula and other beverages for infants, such as plain water or juice, should be prepared with bottled water when PFOA is elevated in drinking water.
- Pregnant, nursing, and women considering having children may choose to use bottled water or a home filter designed to remove PFOA for drinking and cooking to reduce exposure to PFOA.
- Other people may also choose to use bottled water for drinking and cooking to reduce exposure to PFOA or a home water filter that is certified to reduce levels of PFOA.
- Home water treatment devices are available that can reduce levels of PFOA. If a water treatment device is used, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for maintenance and operation. For more specific information regarding the effectiveness of home water filters for reducing PFOA, visit the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International website, http://www.nsf.org/. [NSF does not certify reduction of PFOA to the NJ MCL for PFOA.]
- Boiling your water will not remove PFOA.
For more information, see https://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/pfas/.
What is being done?
Veolia completed the purchase of the Allendale Water System on Nov. 30, 2022 and immediately began planning for the installation of PFOA treatment. A temporary treatment system to remove PFOA was installed and began operating on February 6, 2024. The temporary treatment will remain in place until a permanent treatment system can be designed and built. Although temporary treatment systems reduce the levels of PFOA in the drinking water, a system is not considered in compliance with NJDEP regulations until a permanent treatment system is operational. The permanent treatment system is estimated to be completed by Fall 2027.
As reported in previous notices, Veolia also installed a treatment system for the three wells at the Allendale New Street Treatment Plant. That system has been in operation since mid-July 2023. While the New Street Plant was – and has remained in – compliance, Veolia decided to proactively treat the water to ensure superior water quality to residents.
For more information, please contact our Customer Service Department at 855-367-6708 or by email at [email protected].
*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*
This notice is being sent to you by Veolia Water New Jersey, Inc. on behalf of the Allendale Water
Department. State Water System ID#: NJ0201001
Date posted on our website: September 12, 2024