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Members of the WMUA Board and administration were joined by state, county, and municipal officials, along with representatives of the construction team led by MBE Electric Mark III, Inc. of Madison, New Jersey. (Ⓒ 2021 Jarett Mutts Photography – Visit www.jarettmutts.com)
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The Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority (WMUA) is pleased to announce it has broken ground on its new Well 5A PFOS Removal Facility located at 23 Baldwin Lane in Willingboro Township.
Short-term and long-term financing for the $7 million project is provided through the New Jersey Water Bank.
Perfluoro octane sulfonic acid, commonly known as PFOS, is extremely persistent in the environment and has been linked to various potential health problems.
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The chemical was widely used in consumer products, such as nonstick cookware, flame-retardant fabrics, and some food packaging, as well as in firefighting foam.
In 2020, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection established a maximum contaminant level for PFOS of 13 parts per trillion.
The WMUA found PFOS levels above the MCL in the finished water at the Well 5A water treatment plant, which was subsequently taken out of service until a treatment solution could be implemented.
According to WMUA Executive Director James Mackie:
This project is the result of the efforts of our Board of Commissioners and staff, our consulting engineer Alaimo Associates, and our legal and financial professionals. PFOS is a challenge that we, and water companies across the country, are working to manage. We are very pleased to bring this additional treatment technology to our customers. Moving forward, we continue to recognize the need for advance planning, design, permitting, funding, and construction of necessary water treatment facilities to comply with constantly evolving regulations.
The current construction will upgrade the existing two million gallons per day Well 5A treatment plant in order to remove PFOS from the raw water utilizing 12-foot diameter Granular Activated Carbon vessels.
The associated piping, valves, and instrumentation will be housed in a new 2,856-square-foot building. Construction is expected to be completed in September of 2023.
Mayor Kaya McIntosh said:
On behalf of the entire Willingboro Township Council, I want to thank the Willingboro Municipal Utility Authority Board for taking the initiative to address this serious concern,” said “Through their leadership, I am confident the Commissioners of this Authority will continue to ensure our residents and businesses are provided with the clean and safe water they deserve in an effective and efficient manner.
Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel added:
Clean drinking water isn’t a luxury, it’s something all residents depend on and should have confidence in,” said “I applaud the Willingboro Municipal Utilities Authority for undertaking this project. Doing so restores confidence and sets an example for other utilities to follow.
Assemblyman Dr. Herb Conaway agreed:
It is incumbent on all of us together who are concerned about the impacts on public health to take action to mitigate and remove those contaminants that are the result of industrialization. I congratulate the actions that are being taken, the foresight to protect not only the residents of this community but to send a message elsewhere that action can be taken and this problem, as difficult as it is, can be overcome.
WMUA Board Chairman Carl Turner said:
The WMUA is firmly committed to providing safe, high-quality drinking water to our customers in Willingboro, Westampton, and Mount Laurel Townships in compliance with all state and federal drinking water standards including the newly established water quality standard for PFOS,” said . “However, these necessary modifications do come with a cost. I want to assure customers that our team is working with our federal representatives, Congressman Andy Kim, and Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, who have each independently requested appropriations for EPA grant funding in order to lessen the burden on the ratepayers of this Authority. We are anxiously awaiting the passage of the FY 2023 funding bills.
2 replies on “Willingboro MUA Breaks Ground on New Water Treatment Facility”
This is great but as a resident of Willingboro, I would feel even better if those who were and are responsible for putting the PFOS into the waterways were held accountable and made to take on the costs instead of us residents who depend on WMUA to provide clean water.
The DEP is looking into this. But some of these chemicals are from so many companies that are long gone. Some are in the water table because the chemicals are used in putting out car fires or for protecting homes from a wild fire.