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SOUTH RIVER – The borough violated a drinking water requirement by failing to submit an optimal corrosion control treatment (OCCT) recommendation and a source water treatment recommendation (SoWTR) to the state.
“Even though this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct the situation,” says a notice on the borough’s website, adding that if this was an emergency, residents would have been contacted immediately.
Water is routinely sampled at consumers’ taps for lead and copper, the notice says. The tests show copper levels in the water above the action level, requiring the borough to submit an OCCT and SoWTR recommendation to the New Jersey Division of Water Supply & Geoscience.
The recommendation should have been completed and submitted by Dec. 31, 2022, but it was not submitted on time.
According to a borough official, the tests were submitted on time and the results were forwarded, but the plan on how to address the issue was not submitted on time.
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The test is routinely conducted by a licensed water treatment operator, Agra Environmental and Laboratory Services, a contracted consultant, which is not a borough employee, the official said.
“When we did the original testing there was an issue,” Michael Furrey, owner of Agra, said. “It was found the borough was not in compliance between January and June of 2022. We have made improvements to bring the copper level in compliance, but a long-term plan is needed.”
Furrey said when there is an exceedance, the state Department of Environmental Protection requires an action plan.
“In this case the Ph was low, so copper leached into the water,” he said. “It was only a slight difference. The standard is 1.3 parts per million, but the water tested at 1.83 parts per million.”
“The water quality is not something to be concerned about,” said Mayor John Krenzel. “The copper levels were only slightly above DEP standards. If it was dangerous, a crisis or an emergency, the DEP would step in and declare an emergency, but they did not do that. According to Agra, the issue with the copper in the water has been resolved.”
The recommendation will be submitted to the Division of Water Supply & Geoscience by May 31, the borough’s notice says.
Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.
Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage.
To reduce exposure:
- Run water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using for drinking or cooking, if it hasn’t been used for several hours.
- Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula.
- Do not boil the water to remove lead and copper.
- Use alternate sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider using bottled water for drinking and cooking or a water filter designed to remove lead and/or copper. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead and/or copper or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance of standards for water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer’s standards to ensure water quality.
- Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or health care provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about lead exposure.
For additional information, contact Arthur Londensky at 732-257-1999 ext. 519.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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