Strict New Limits On Water Chemicals Announced: See NJ Impacts
- The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, which have been linked to various health issues.
Nicole Rosenthal, Patch Staff
Posted Fri, Apr 12, 2024 at 2:42 pm ET
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NEW JERSEY — In an extraordinary move Wednesday, the federal government imposed strict new limits on “forever chemicals” in public water systems, a costly undertaking for New Jersey’s local water utilities that many say will ultimately fall on the backs of taxpayers.
The Environmental Protection Agency mandate requires that the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known collectively as PFAS, be reduced to near-zero levels. The rule is the first national drinking water limit on toxic PFAS, which are widespread, long-lasting in the environment and have been linked to cancer and a host of other health problems.
They’re ubiquitous, found in everything from food packaging and cookware to dental floss and other personal care items to children’s toys and firefighting foams.
At least 45 percent of U.S. water systems have one or more types of PFAS chemicals, according to a 2023 study by the U.S. Geological Survey. In New Jersey, PFAS have been found in public water systems in Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Naval Weapons Station Earle, Woodbury Creek, Gloucester County Fire Training Area, Solvay Specialty Polymers Plant and the New Jersey Air National Guard Base, among others.
Health advocates praised the Environmental Protection Agency for not backing away from tough limits the agency proposed last year. But water utilities took issue with the rule, saying treatment systems are expensive to install and that customers will end up paying more for water.
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And I am sure that I get mailings every year from different “water suppliers” and municipalities telling my how “good” the water was. Were those just lies?
Of course, the taxpayers and rate payers will pay more for this new and improved water.
Argh!
Maybe instead of the Unintended Consequences of Gooferment “water”, people could be given a free market choice. For example, if I use the new and improved water for my grass, then maybe I don’t want to pay more for it. Ditto, flushing the toilet. And, how about the concrete wash out basins, do they need the new and improved more expensive water?
Of course, with Gooferment solutions, there are no choices.
I guess all the folks buying bottled water may have had good reason too.
Argh!
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Reinke Faces Life 