New Jersey America Water has completed a $21.3 million PFAS treatment installation project at the Salem Water Treatment Plant.
When New Jersey American Water acquired Salem’s water and wastewater systems in June 2024, the water system was not meeting applicable drinking water regulations for PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals linked to cancer and other health risks.
The company fast-tracked a permanent treatment solution while completing broader improvements throughout the plant. Workers broke ground on the project in May 2025, and the new treatment was placed into service that November. The final housing facility for the treatment was completed this past summer. investments like this help us build that confidence,” said Salem City Mayor Jody Veler.
The new system can treat up to 2 million gallons of water per day, providing permanent PFAS treatment for water supplied by the facility. The plant serves the city of Salem and portions of Quinton, Elsinboro and Mannington townships.
New Jersey American Water has worked with the state Department of Environmental Protection on PFAS since 2007 and began work to remove certain PFAS compounds as early as 2012, well before the state established enforceable limits.
The Salem project builds on more than $28 million invested by New Jersey American Water in the city’s water and wastewater infrastructure under the company’s ownership. The company plans to invest an additional $48 million over the next five years to further modernize the systems and strengthen service reliability.
