NJDEP Issues PFAS Survey to NJPDES Permittees
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Water Quality, is requiring NJPDES Category B (Industrial) permittees as well as Wastewater Treatment Plants with approved Industrial Pretreatment Programs permittees to evaluate potential sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their influent and comply with an online survey. If you are a permittee under either scenario, this request is designed to profile your current and past practices that may be PFAS sources. The NJDEP states that no fines or penalties will be assessed to permittees based solely on the survey answers, however the NJDEP also states that future actions may include investigation of probable sources and reduction/elimination of found sources.
Permittees must provide the following data by June 21, 2021:
- Detailed information if Class B firefighting foam (aka aqueous film forming form or AFFF) has ever been stored, used, released, or discharged
- List nearby sources where Class B firefighting foam has likely been stored, used, released and/or discharged
- Acknowledge if your facility is one of the listed[1] manufacturing facilities
- Detail records of past and current storage, use, application, or manufacturing of PFAS containing retail products, electrostatic control agents, friction control agents, dirt repellents, or anti-adhesives
- Information regarding discharges containing PFAS
- Also, identify any fluorinated chemicals handled, stored, used, applied, manufactured, machined, processed, treated, or disposed
Contact GES for expert environmental support to complete this complex request for information. In addition to completing the survey, GES’ Emerging Contaminants Team can assist you with identifying PFAS uses and potential impacts at your facilities, preparing site investigation work plans and sampling plans, collecting and analyzing samples, evaluation and remediation of nearby receptors, site investigation, reporting, emergency response, and if needed, remediation services.
Don’t delay. The June 21st deadline is quickly approaching. Contact your designated GES point of contact or our NJ Operations Manager, Jaimie Wuelfing, LSRP for expert environmental support at jwuelfing@gesonline.com or 800.220.3068 ext. 4170.