Water providers around New Jersey are now making plans to adapt to the new federal guidelines for “forever chemicals” found in drinking water. This comes after the Environmental Protection Agency came out with the first-ever guidelines for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The EPA says PFAS have been linked to fertility issues, developmental delays and even some increased cancer risks.

News 12 met up with James Mueller, executive director of the Passaic Valley Water Commission, which serves about 80,000 customers. He says his team will be ready to comply with the new mandate by the 2029 deadline.

"We have an 80 million gallon a day treatment plant. There, we comply with state guidelines that they had promulgated a couple of years ago, but the new federal guidelines are more stringent. They're tougher,” he says.

The current state requirement for PFAS is 13 to 14 parts per trillion. The new federal guideline reduces that to 4 parts per trillion.