Essex Fells Borough GAC Treatment Facility

Essex Fells Borough ("the Borough") recently designed and installed a permanent water treatment system that is being financed with approximately $7.9 million in loans from the NJ Water Bank, a low-rate funding program jointly administered by the DEP and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank ("I-Bank"). Because the project addresses emerging contaminants, it is eligible for $1 million in principal forgiveness ("PF"). Total savings for this project, including PF and lower interest costs, is estimated to be $3,938,151 over the 30-year term of the loan or 50% of the total project costs as compared to the borough financing it independently. In addition, this project created an estimated 95 direct one-year construction jobs.

The Borough constructed a new granular activated carbon ("GAC") filtration system to address the presence of PFAS in its drinking water supply. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals commonly used in industrial applications and found in many everyday consumer products, including non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and firefighting foams. These substances are known as "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment, accumulating in soil, air, and water over time. Once PFAS enter groundwater or surface water, they can contaminate drinking water sources and pose health risks to the public.

The new GAC treatment system works by passing water through tanks filled with granular activated carbon, which acts like a sponge, capturing and holding PFAS compounds as the water flows through. This technology is widely recognized for its effectiveness in removing long-chain PFAS from drinking water. This investment will enable the Borough to meet New Jersey's stringent Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) standards for drinking water and ensure the ongoing safety and reliability of its water supply.

"This project is a critical advancement in protecting the health and well-being of our residents and the neighboring communities that we supply," said Edward A. Davis, Mayor of Essex Fells Borough. "By installing a state-of-the-art filtration system, we're ensuring that our drinking water meets the highest safety standards, especially when it comes to PFAS. We're proud to partner with the New Jersey Water Bank, whose low-cost financing made this important investment possible. Their support allowed us to act quickly and responsibly while materially reducing the financial burden on our taxpayers and ratepayers."

This project was designed by Suburban Consulting Engineers and Anderson-Denzler Associates and constructed by Coppola Services. The GAC units were purchased from Calgon Carbon Corporation.

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