RIDGEWOOD, N.J. — Residents of 1 New Jersey city are on edge after receiving one other discover that their ingesting water system accommodates increased ranges of a household of chemical substances which were linked to most cancers and different well being issues.
As CBS2’s Christine Sloan reviews, folks come to stay to stay in Ridgewood for its college system and quaint downtown. Why so many are indignant? The water firm within the village nonetheless has not corrected the difficulty since discovering the issue greater than a 12 months in the past.
A water firm officers instructed CBS2 they’ve a response plan, they’re minimizing danger and that is going to take a while.
There are worries over Ridgewood’s water system after many residents obtained a discover from the Ridgewood Metropolis Water Division alerting them their water system exceeds state ranges of a category of chemical substances known as PFAS and PFOAS.
“It’s extremely regarding that we pay our taxes and the water state of affairs is as dangerous as it’s,” Ridgewood resident Dave Lubkenman mentioned.
Lubkenman says he now has to spend cash on some sort of water filtration system.
“Now we have youngsters. We converted after we acquired the discover final 12 months and did some analysis. We converted to bottled water. Now we’re contemplating a complete reverse osmosis filtration system to the home,” he mentioned.
Others are simply indignant.
“With the taxes we pay, it is ridiculous. It is ridiculous,” one man mentioned.
The chemical substances present in Ridgewood’s water system are utilized in foam fireplace retardants and non-stick cookware, in addition to “coating for upholstery and carpets,” in line with the discover.
The discover additionally says individuals who drink water with excessive ranges of PFAS over time may expertise issues with their “immune system, kidney, liver or endocrine system” and that PFOAS can enhance the chance of “testicular and kidney most cancers.”
“It’s extremely regarding, and they should do one thing about it,” one girl mentioned.
The water firm declined a TV interview however says, “We’re in courtroom to carry these corporations who’re chargeable for the contamination accountable, in order that they, not you, pay for the prices of getting the job executed.”
Officers additionally say they’re designing, buying and testing a remedy system, and the aged, youngsters and people with well being considerations ought to drink bottled water.
One girl instructed CBS2 she needs solutions.
“They simply say it has been round for years and years. It is like nothing to fret about or get a water filter or no matter. It is not taken actually critically,” she mentioned.
Water firm officers additionally inform CBS2 it is vital to note that water suppliers throughout the nation are coping with the identical challenges. Additionally they say they should construct 12 new water vegetation. In Ridgewood, they’ve already constructed two of them, and one is below development.
The entire course of goes to be full in 2026.
