Full Notification

Residents,
 
As we work toward the installation of PFAS treatment for our water system, we share resident’s frustrations with the length of time it has taken to begin construction. We cannot move forward with installing treatment systems until regulatory approvals are secured for construction, land use, and financing. Since January of 2021, the Borough has had standing monthly calls with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) to help move our applications through the regulatory process as quickly as possible.
 
Presently, the Borough is waiting for financing approval from the I-Bank, the state financing authority responsible for providing low interest rate loans to municipalities. We expected to receive financing approval in January, 2023, but the review process has taken longer than expected. Below is an updated timeline that we developed with the I-Bank earlier this month.
 

• March 31, 2023 – Receive approval to advertise for bids
• April 27, 2023 – Open bids
• May 5, 2023 – Complete engineering bid review
• May 19 – Complete I-Bank bid review
• May 23, 2023 – Contract award
• Early 2024 – Project completion

 
Once a contract is awarded, the largest impact on the project completion date will be the availability of materials such as pipes, valves, and the treatment vessels. After contract award, the materials will be ordered by the contractor and we will be able to establish a clearer timeline. We now expect the project will be completed in early 2024.
 
We will continue to provide regular communications on the water treatment system project and PFOA and PFOS in our water. In the meantime, should you have questions or concerns:

• Visit the PFAS page of our website -  https://www.waldwicknj.org/index.asp?SEC=3D7C5915-58CD-43DA-8FF9-0A29A75E2CD0&DE=A49B0169-88DE-4842-A7F2-E7F8AF096B1D
• Read the NJ Dept. of Health, Drinking Water Facts: PFAS in Drinking Water - https://www.nj.gov/health/ceohs/documents/pfas_drinking%20water.pdf
• Contact the Borough Administrator, Patrick Wherry, at [email protected] or (201) 652-5300 x227.