THE WILLINGBORO MUNICIPAL UTILITIES AUTHORITY PFAS TREATMENT RIBBON CUTTING EVENT

The Willingboro MUA ("WMUA") recently celebrated the completion of a PFAS treatment facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony to acknowledge the key contributors to the project. WMUA Executive Director James Mackie introduced Board Chair Patricia Harvey who recognized federal, State, county, and local officials, along with the DEP and the NJ I-Bank for the success of the project. 

The WMUA financed the $6.50 million project with funding from the federal bipartisan infrastructure law (BIL) including a $3.45 million federal grant, a $1.0 million principal forgiveness loan from the NJDEP and a $2.04 million low interest rate loan from the New Jersey Water Bank to upgrade its 2.0 MGD water treatment plant to remove PFAS from the WMUA's water supply. The $2.04 million loan was financed at terms equivalent to a 50% DEP interest-free loan and 50% I-Bank market rate loan. Total cost to the WMUA's rate payers is just $2.96 million resulting in an estimated net savings for this project of $7.93 million over the 30-year term of the loan in comparison to the $10.89 million the WMUA would have paid if it had financed the project on its own.

Perfluoro octane sulfonic acid is one of a group of related chemicals known as perfluorinated alkylated substances (PFAS). These chemicals are commonly used in a wide range of industrial processes and are found in many consumer products where they can penetrate the water supply and affect drinking water quality. Exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health conditions. 

The upgrade included the installation of four 12-foot diameter granular activated carbon ("GAC") vessels, associated piping, valves, and instrumentation. A new building was installed with HVAC, a control panel, and a generator to house the PFAS treatment system and a self-cleaning filter. A 50-micron self-cleaning filter system was also installed upstream of the radium removal system to remove iron and suspended solids. The well pump was upgraded to increase capacity and the site work included grading, excavation, and fence relocation.

This project was designed by the Alaimo Group and the electrical work was performed by MBE Mark Electric.