In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the critical state of the local water system, which has been described as a \"sinking ship\" and \"in crisis.\" The system, over 100 years old, has faced numerous violations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), leading to significant legal challenges for the management team.

Upon taking office in 2015, the current manager inherited a system that had not been updated for decades, with critical infrastructure such as storage tanks and pump stations in dire need of investment. To address these issues, a $40 million capital plan was initiated in 2016, focusing on eliminating the most pressing violations. This plan included upgrading storage tanks, enhancing security measures, and modernizing the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, which had been operating on outdated technology.

While this initial investment was crucial, officials indicated that an additional $200 million is necessary for further upgrades to the aging infrastructure. However, the implementation of these projects has been delayed due to the emergence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) regulations, which require immediate attention to ensure safe drinking water. The manager emphasized that the PFAS remediation efforts have taken precedence, complicating the simultaneous execution of the broader infrastructure upgrades.

Despite the setbacks, smaller projects are ongoing, including the replacement of lead service lines and water distribution mains. The planning for the larger $200 million project is underway, with construction expected to begin in 2027, following the completion of the PFAS treatment facilities.

Officials acknowledged that had the PFAS issues not arisen, many of the current water supply problems could have been mitigated. The manager expressed confidence that the planned upgrades would ultimately enhance the system's reliability and eliminate the need for lawn watering restrictions, which have been a concern during dry spells.

The meeting concluded with gratitude expressed towards the staff for their hard work in addressing recent water quality issues, highlighting the ongoing commitment to improving the community's water infrastructure.