Water

Environmental orgs support NJ action against PFAS in Drinking Water

Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Environment New Jersey, NJ Sierra Club and Clean Water Action Advocate to remove chemicals from water supply

New Jersey officials including the Department of Environmental Protection sued chemical company Solvay for pollutants – and ignoring a mandate to clean up contaminated drinking water – at the West Deport manufacturing facility along the Delaware River earlier this week.

The case stated that “forever chemicals” perfluorononanoic acid (“PFNA”), a type of polyfluoroalkyl substances (aka PFAS) have been detected in the local drinking water “higher than has been reported elsewhere in the world”.

Around 2010, Solvay replaced PFNA and PFAS with a ‘replacement chemical’ that is still being used today. However, the replacement chemical has been released into the environment and water, which could even be more toxic than the PFNA it was supposed to safely replace. Local environmental groups (including Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Environment New Jersey, NJ Sierra Club, and Clean Water Action) are calling on NJDEP to fully investigate the occurrence of the replacement compound and to fully research the toxicity of the compound, according. to a press release. 

The Delaware Riverkeeper Network exposed Solvay as the source of contamination of the water supplies for surrounding municipalities in 2013.

In addition to supporting the legal action, local advocacy groups will continue to advocate for Solvay to stop using the replacement chemical. They are also urging NJDEP to share information with New Jersey residents about the safety of their drinking water.

Photo by Chris Henry on Unsplash


Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is Editor-in-Chief of Green Philly, sharing her expertise of all things sustainable in the city of brotherly love. She enjoys long walks in the park with local beer and greening her travels, cooking & cat, Sir Floofus Drake.

Recent Posts

SEPTA cuts are here, & Solar For Schools grants

Catch up on the latest sustainability news - with lots of SEPTA info:  First week…

21 hours ago

What to know before you buy a hermit crab at the Jersey Shore

Hermit crabs aren’t beach souvenirs. They are exotic creatures that require lots of care and…

2 days ago

Eco Explainer: What are Green Building Certifications?

Unsure what those building plaques mean? Breaking down LEED, Passive House, Living Building Challenge, and…

3 days ago

Philly’s new big cats, PGW rate hike reduction, watershed survey & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news:  Philadelphia Zoo welcomes two feline arrivals. Rory, a…

1 week ago

Circle Compost and Rabbit Recycling unite to make it easier to go zero waste in Philly

New bundled service offers residents discounted composting and recycling options to keep waste out of…

1 week ago

Controversial SEPTA funding, heat adaptation, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: PA lawmakers propose controversial funding structure for SEPTA.…

2 weeks ago