Mahwah Water Well To Be Turned Back On, With $800K Grant: Officials

MAHWAH, NJ — Mahwah's largest of seven ground wells, which supply nearly 70% of the town's drinking water, will soon be turned back on, thanks to a new $800,000 federal investment that will enable the town to design and build a filtration system, according to state and local officials.

The well was taken offline after tests showed last year that the water was out of compliance with newly adopted state standards for per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), a group of what are commonly called "forever chemicals."

The water source, Well 19, will soon have a new filtration system, designed by the Mahwah Water Department and water utility engineer, that will be funded through a $169 million investment in New Jersey water infrastructure awarded through a federal bipartisan bill. This filtration device will help the town meet state drinking water requirements.

District 5 Rep. Josh Gottheimer and Mahwah Mayor Jim Wysocki announced the $800,000 allocation award to Mahwah during a press conference Tuesday.

"A key part of keeping our communities safe and healthy is ensuring our families and children have access to clean drinking water — free of any forever chemicals/PFAS," Gottheimer said in a Facebook post. "This is a bipartisan issue that can bring everyone together."

Gottheimer, in announcing the investment, spoke about the potential risks associated with these water contaminants, including cancer, kidney and liver damage, and impaired child development.

"The science is clear and concerning," the congressman said. "Our families deserve action now and for us to make sure we are doing as much as we can, as quickly as we can. That is what this fight is about."

Mayor Wysocki said he was "relieved" to hear the town would be receiving these funds, as he was concerned resident taxpayers would otherwise have to "foot the bill" for the project through a bond.

"(A filtration system) seemed to be the solution; however, the $800,000 price tag was a burden," Wysocki said, grateful that that this federal grant relieves taxpayers of such a burden.

Not only then will this investment help Mahwah power back on the well, Gottheimer said, it will enable the town to achieve budget goals and "make life more affordable," not to mention safer, for residents.

"Every child and every family deserves to drink water that is free of lead and dangerous chemicals," the congressman said.