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The PFAS Crisis Is Growing. New Jersey Municipalities Need Help Responding.

Written by Karen Kominsky, Partner

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly called “forever chemicals,” have been used for decades in everyday products because they resist heat, water, and oil. Unfortunately, those same properties make them persist in the environment and accumulate in the human body, where they have been linked to birth defects, cancer, and other serious health issues.

In New Jersey, the issue is very real - affecting communities both large and small, each facing the complex public health and communication challenges that arise when PFAS contamination is detected.

In 2020, the state became one of the first in the U.S. to establish legally enforceable PFAS drinking water standards. Yet despite this early leadership, municipalities that discover elevated PFAS levels today are left without a clear roadmap for how to respond.

The Growing Strain on NJ Municipalities

On the front lines of the PFAS crisis is CLB’s Karen Kominsky. In her recent feature for The Jersey Vindicator, she highlights the growing strain on municipalities as discoveries of these “forever chemicals” become more common. Without a centralized system to guide towns through the earliest and most critical phase of detection, she explains, municipalities are left to navigate the crisis on their own.

Municipal leaders face immense pressure in these situations. As Kominsky notes, “Municipal leaders are expected to become overnight experts in toxicology, environmental law, and infrastructure engineering.”

“They must parse technical guidance from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Health, coordinate with water authorities, become experts on the state Spill Act, identify credible testing services, and communicate effectively with their residents — all while fielding legitimate fears from parents, homeowners, and neighbors,” she adds.

Kominsky warns, “This is not sustainable. It is not fair to our local officials, and it is certainly not fair to the families who turn to them for reassurance and solutions.”

A Practical Solution: NJ Municipal PFAS Response Resource Center

Her solution: a state-supported Municipal PFAS Response Resource Center. It would give every municipality access to the same experts, best practices, and communications support — removing the guesswork that currently leaves local leaders struggling.

“We may not be able to erase PFAS from the past, but we can — and must — do better in how we respond to its presence in our future,” Kominsky notes.

While the PFAS crisis is complex, proactive and coordinated approaches can give municipalities the tools they need to act effectively, ensure transparency, and build confidence in their response efforts.

At CLB, we’re proud of the work Karen is doing to highlight solutions to this pressing issue. Our team regularly works with municipal and state leaders on complex policy challenges, and her leadership underscores the importance of practical, coordinated approaches that help communities respond effectively and confidently.

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To read Karen Kominsky’s full article, visit: New Jersey towns can’t fight forever chemicals in drinking water alone; they need a centralized PFAS response center • The Jersey Vindicator