Jersey Water Works Launches PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Committee
Jersey Water Works Launches PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Committee
In 2025, Jersey Water Works members advocated for the addition of a PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Committee to the collaborative’s working committees. To understand the significance of this initiative, first we must understand what PFAS is. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, “Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a large family of thousands of manmade chemicals that have been used in industrial and commercial applications for over 70 years.” PFAS—often referred to as “forever chemicals”— “repel water and oil and are resistant to heat and chemical reactions. Products that may contain PFAS include stain-resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets, water-resistant breathable clothing, greaseproof food packaging, and certain fire-fighting foams (aqueous film-forming foams used for extinguishing petroleum-based fires).”
With their widespread use, PFAS can enter the environment through multiple pathways, including:
- Release from industrial facilities through air emissions and wastewater, where they are made or used
- Release during firefighting training or use in response to a petroleum-based fire event
- Sludge and effluent from wastewater treatment plants
- Contaminated liquid from landfills (leachate), where PFAS-containing industrial waste or consumer products are disposed of
Given these concerns, the NJDEP currently “regulates PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA in drinking and groundwater because it was determined that these three PFAS occur in groundwater and drinking water and are associated with health effects.”
In 2023, 2024, and 2025, Jersey Water Works (JWW) convened a series of meetings and conference sessions focused mainly on PFAS. During these sessions, the committee explored the latest development on the issue and utilized tools such as collaborative notes and interactive polls to collect information, brainstorm, and develop key ideas. As a result, six central themes and recommendations have emerged. Moving forward, committee members will play a critical role in finalizing these recommendations, participating in additional meetings and brainstorming sessions, and contributing to the development of the white paper. The white paper offers an authoritative report on this complex issue, proposing solutions for a coordinated strategy.
The committee identified the following priorities:
- Coordinate a State-Level Campaign For PFAS And Emerging Contaminants
- Reduce and Prevent Further PFAS Contamination
- PFAS Research, Regulation, and Treatment
- Funding Initiatives
- Collaboration, Unusual Partnerships, and Consistent Messaging
- Peer To Peer Support
On February 11, the PFAS and Emerging Contaminants Committee held its inaugural meeting, drawing 44 participants. Members outlined key steps, reviewed initial ideas, and established a collaborative approach for developing the forthcoming report. Members were invited to nominate themselves to coordinate, lead a conversation around a particular action item, or serve as a contributor.
Looking ahead, the report will be released to the public and shared with policymakers, including the Governor, to advocate for the implementation of its recommendations. Promotion and distribution will be a shared responsibility. Committee members will collaborate on a distribution strategy that leverages social media, email campaigns, and dedicated landing pages. Committee members are encouraged to leverage their networks to maximize the report’s information and reach. In the meantime, subcommittee meetings are being scheduled to gather information and begin drafting the report.
The committee’s co-chairs
- Amy Goldsmith, New Jersey State Director, Clean Water Action,
- Ali Pajooman, P.E., Program Manager, Veolia North America
Leadership for this committee also includes utility representatives
- Donald C. Shields, P.E., Vice President and Director of Engineering, New Jersey American Water
- Patricia Lindsay-Harvey, Commissioner, Willingboro Municipal Utility Authority
Jersey Water Works
- Paula Figueroa-Vega, Director, Jersey Water Works Collaborative
- Alesha Vega, Program Coordinator, New Jersey Future
There are several opportunities to engage in this work. You can engage as a committee member (no fee to become a member), becoming a Sustaining Member, or with a donation. For more information, email us at info@jerseywaterworks.org.
