DEP sampling found PFAS exceedances in local wells; residents press for more testing and reimbursement

Residents reported drinking‑water contamination concerns during public comment and asked the council to push state authorities for fuller investigation and remediation.

"We had it tested...166.3 parts per trillion of different compounds of 50 different PFAS," resident Marsha Tucker said, asking whether the New Jersey DEP had assessed the hill associated with industrial uses. The mayor said DEP conducted December sampling and notified property owners whose wells had exceedances; the city is forwarding resident test results to county and state officials and is asking DEP for additional sampling and a formal source investigation.

Another resident said he installed a filtration system in October and has not yet been reimbursed by the state's spill fund. "I'm out over $5,000," a resident said. Council members urged the mayor to request another public meeting with DEP and to post guidance for residents about filing test results and possible reimbursement and how to submit letters or comments to the court that has a related filing.

The mayor said DEP mailed letters to 14 property owners after December testing and has agreed to further testing and a source investigation but had not provided dates; the city will continue to follow up and expects an update at the council's March 20 meeting.

What happens next: the mayor said he will request another public DEP briefing and continue to collect and forward resident water tests to state and county agencies. Residents asked the city to share an accessible guide on how to submit test results and, where relevant, how to apply to the spill fund for reimbursement.