For WEST CALDWELL WATER DEPARTMENT (PWSID NJ0721001) — WEST CALDWELL, NJ · serving 10,759 people
WEST CALDWELL WATER DEPARTMENT appears to meet the threshold criteria for the 3M Phase 2 Action Fund — a $10.5–12.5 billion pool, the largest PFAS settlement in U.S. history. The settlement administrator makes the final determination, not us — which is exactly why you file before July 31 even if eligibility feels uncertain. Note: a detection above the MCL is not a current violation — the federal compliance deadline is April 2029. Eligibility is about settlement funds, not a compliance problem.
PFAS compounds detected: 5 · Max PFOA: 8.3 ppt · Max PFOS: 5.5 ppt
The DuPont/Chemours/Corteva window ($1.185B) closed June 30, 2026, the 3M Phase 2 Action Fund ($10.5–12.5B) on July 31, and the Special Needs Fund on August 1. Systems that did not file are no longer eligible for a share. What still applies to this system is the April 2029 EPA compliance deadline.
Already filed — directly or through counsel? You're set; do not file again. Duplicate submissions can delay processing. If you're unsure which form is on file (the earlier registration/Phase 1 claim vs. the Phase 2 Action Fund claim), confirm with the settlement administrator.
Action Fund Claims
Due June 30, 2026 · Fund: $1.185B
Phase 2 water systems (those serving >3,300 people, or those that detected PFAS more recently) had until June 30 to submit Action Fund claim forms covering remediation and treatment costs. The window is closed — systems that did not file forfeited their share.
If you miss it: Forfeit your system's share of the DuPont/Chemours/Corteva treatment fund.
Open the claims portal →Treatment & remediation cost claims
Due July 31, 2026 · Fund: $10.5–12.5B
Public water systems with confirmed PFAS detections must file via the official PFAS Water Settlement portal. The fund is the largest PFAS settlement pool in U.S. history.
If you miss it: Forfeit your share of the 3M settlement and waive future direct-action rights against 3M for PFAS.
Open the claims portal →Applications for disadvantaged / under-resourced systems
Due August 1, 2026 · Fund: Discretionary
Supplemental fund for systems facing capacity, affordability, or technical barriers. Documentation burden is highest but eligibility is broader than the main funds.
If you miss it: Forfeit supplemental allocation reserved for disadvantaged communities.
Open the claims portal →Public comment period closes
Due July 20, 2026 · Fund: —
EPA's proposed rescission of the PFHxS, PFNA, GenX, and PFBS MCLs (docket EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0654) is open for public comment through July 20. Water systems can put their monitoring and cost data on the record before the rule is finalized.
If you miss it: The docket closes without your system's operating data on the record.
Open the claims portal →Public comments on the consent decree close
Due July 24, 2026 · Fund: $450M
The $450M EPA/DOJ federal consent decree with Chemours — covering Chambers Works NJ, Parlin NJ, Fayetteville Works NC, and Washington Works WV — is open for public comment through July 24, before court approval.
If you miss it: Lose the chance to weigh in before the court approves the decree.
Open the claims portal →A 5-section PDF keyed to this system's detection profile — system ID, detection evidence, treatment costs, source attribution, filing logistics. The same records state revolving fund and EC-SDC grant applications ask for. Plus weekly PFAS deadline alerts for your state.
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Kept for reference. The settlement filing windows have closed, but the same records support state revolving fund and EC-SDC grant applications, and section 3 (treatment costs) is still the one that takes longest to pull together.