New Jersey American Water and the City of Salem broke ground this week on a major new infrastructure project that will enhance water quality and public health for thousands of local residents in Salem by installing a PFAS removal system at the Salem Water Treatment Plant.
“This is a turning point for Salem,” Jody Veler, mayor of Salem City said. “Our community deserves clean water, and we are proud to see this partnership with New Jersey American Water delivering results that will make a lasting difference.”
The ceremony brought together New Jersey American Water leadership, local elected officials, and key community stakeholders to celebrate the inauguration of a PFAS mitigation project—
“We are proud to partner with the City of Salem to deliver a timely solution to remove ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water and restore community trust,” Mark McDonough New Jersey American Water president said. “This project reflects our long-term commitment to safe and affordable water service and meaningful investment in communities that make them stronger.”
“This facility doesn’t just help local residents, but it sets the stage for the state of New Jersey,” Zenon Christodoulou, commissioner, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities said. “This issue will not go away easily, but starting today, in this town, it will begin to go away, thanks to your combined efforts… Our job at the BPU is to make sure that we provide safe and affordable service for all of our residents… and on behalf of the BPU, you have made our job infinitely easier. With great optimism, we look to the future.”
The project is expected to be completed within an accelerated 18-month timeline.
