[EXTERNAL]: New Interim specific ground water quality criterion established for chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylates (ClPFPECAs)

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has established a new interim specific ground water quality criterion for chloroperfluoropolyether carboxylates (ClPFPECAs). The ISGWQC has been rounded from 0.0019 μg/L (two significant figures) to 0.002 μg/L (one significant figure) in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:9C-1.7(c)4iii. The ISGWQC applies to the total concentration of ClPFPECA congeners in ground water and will be the enforceable standard for ClPFPECA until the specific ground water quality standard for ClPFPECA is established by rule at N.J.A.C. 7:9C.

The Ground Water Quality Standards (GWQS) at N.J.A.C 7:9C-1.7(c) enables the Department to establish interim specific ground water quality criterion for constituents in Class IIA ground water that are not listed in Appendix Table 1 of the GWQS. The primary designated use for Class IIA ground water is potable water and, as such, the Class IIA constituent standards are developed to be protective of that use.

The interim specific ground water quality criterion for ClPFPECAs became official when it was posted at NJDEP-Division of Water Monitoring and Standards website (https://www.nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/gwqs.htm). The notification to inform the public was published in the New Jersey Register on January 18, 2022. Additional information on the development of the criteria can be found at https://www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/supportdocs/NewSupportDocuments.html.

Pursuant to the Remediation Standards at N.J.A.C. 7:26D-2.2(a), ground water quality standards are ground water remediation standards. At a minimum, the person responsible for conducting the remediation is required to evaluate whether there is the potential that ClPFPECAs may have been manufactured, used, handled, stored, disposed, or discharged at the site or area of concern. The NJDEP recommends that the information available in the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) PFAS technical documents found at https://pfas-1.itrcweb.org/ be utilized as part of the evaluation. If the scope of the remediation is for the entire site, then an entire site preliminary assessment is required to be conducted pursuant to the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation at N.J.A.C. 7:26E-3.1. If the scope of the remediation is for one or more specific areas of concern, then the licensed site remediation professional (LSRP) shall use his or her professional judgement to determine what evaluation is necessary.

ClPFPECAs are members of the family of synthetic chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) that should be considered contaminants of emerging concern and follow two recently posted Site Remediation and Waste Management Program documents. The first is Frequently Asked Questions regarding contaminants of emerging concern and is available at https://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/guidance/srra/contaminants_of_emerging_concern_faq.pdf. The second document explains how timeframes are affected when a contaminant of emerging concern is detected at an existing case and is available at https://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/guidance/srra/cecs_timeframes_existing_cases.pdf.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is dedicated to protecting New Jersey's environment and public health. The agency prioritizes addressing climate change, protecting New Jersey's water, revitalizing its communities and managing and promoting its natural and historic resources.

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