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Ridgewood urges $3.1M to finish PFAS treatment network for four communities
Summary
Ridgewood mayor and Ridgewood Water officials asked the Senate committee for $3.1 million in the FY2026 budget to help complete PFAS treatment facilities for Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park and to reduce rate pressure on customers who financed the capital work.
Mayor Paul Vagianos of Ridgewood and Richard Kalbi from Ridgewood Water told the committee Ridgewood was among the earliest water systems to plan for PFAS removal and that the municipal utility now faces a large multi‑site capital program to meet state health‑based standards. Vagianos asked the Legislature for a $3.1 million appropriation in FY2026 to help finance 1 of 12 PFAS treatment plants the utility is building to serve Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Wyckoff and Midland Park.
The mayor said Ridgewood residents have financed a large capital program and that the appropriation would reduce the size of future surcharges. Kalbi said the investments protect public health and reduce long‑term hospital and health costs associated with PFAS exposure. Both asked the committee to consider parity with funding other water utilities have received and to support infrastructure funding mechanisms that limit customer impacts.
No vote occurred; the request will be considered amid broader statewide water infrastructure decisions and the DEP’s continuing implementation of PFAS standards.
