U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced today that New Jersey will receive $66,100,000 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to address emerging contaminants in drinking water, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The funds announced today will be made available to communities in New Jersey as grants through a new grant program and will help expand access to safe and clean water across the state. Congressman Pascrell supported such a program when he and his colleagues passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law last year.

“We have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects that contaminated water can have on communities in North Jersey. I fought like hell to ensure new clean water funding was passed into law when we considered our infrastructure bill and I am extremely proud to make this announcement today” said Rep. Pascrell. “These funds will help our communities identify hazardous substances in water systems and go a long way to keeping our residents safe. I commend the Biden Administration for their steadfast efforts to ensure clean and safe drinking water for our neighbors. I have for years led federal efforts to replace lead pipes in our communities and I am thrilled to have partners in the White House as well as on the state and local levels here in New Jersey. This is tremendous news for the Garden State.”

Rep. Pascrell has led congressional efforts to prevent lead contamination of water supplies nationwide. He has worked with the Passaic Valley Water Commission, which provides water to several school districts in northern New Jersey, to ensure they are doing all that they can to educate the public when lead levels become elevated. He has introduced legislation that would fund lead testing at schools and daycare centers nationwide, legislation to unlock billions in investment in drinking water infrastructure, as well as legislation to create a grant program dedicated to fixing combined sewer overflow systems which have polluted our waterways and are a burden for too many communities along our rivers. Pascrell has also supported robust funding for the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds since coming to Congress.