MERCHANTVILLE PENNSAUKEN WATER COMMISSION FROSTHOFFER GAC PLAN

The Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission ("MPWC") recently closed on a $9 million loan from the New Jersey Water Bank to construct a new Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration system and an advanced oxidation process (AOP) unit. This new treatment facility is designed to remove PFAS and 1,4-dioxane from the water supply. MPWC cannot meet proposed regulations for these contaminants without building this plant.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic chemicals widely used in industrial processes and found in many everyday consumer products, such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, and firefighting foams. They persist in the environment and accumulate over time, contaminating soil, air, and water. Once in surface water or groundwater, PFAS can infiltrate drinking water sources and pose serious risks to human health.

1,4-Dioxane is a synthetic industrial chemical used primarily as a solvent or stabilizer in products such as adhesives, paint strippers, and some cosmetics. It is a probable human carcinogen and does not readily degrade in the environment, making it particularly challenging to remove from water. Like PFAS, 1,4-dioxane can migrate into groundwater and drinking water supplies, where it is difficult to detect and eliminate using conventional water treatment methods. Advanced oxidation processes are among the few technologies proven effective in breaking down 1,4-dioxane.