Cape May Water Samples Failed Test on September 13

CAPE MAY — During routine water sampling and testing by the city’s Water/Sewer Department September 13, laboratory results of three samples showed Total Coliform bacteria.
City Manager Bruce MacLeod said the city takes 10 water samples each week during the summer months and sends the water to a laboratory for testing.
Samples taken the week of September 13 resulted in three of 10 testing positive for Total Coliform bacteria, he said.
On Sept. 15, the city notified the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) as well as the Coast Guard base, West Cape May and Cape May Point, all of which purchase water from Cape May, said MacLeod.
He said the city collected new water samples on September 16 for the three locations that tested positive and also took upstream and downstream water samples as required by DEP.
“In addition a raw well water sample was taken for wells number five, six and seven that were in operation on the day that the initial samples were collected,” said MacLeod.
The city was notified from a testing lab on September 17 that all re-samples tested negative for the Total Coliform, no contaminants, no bacteria.
MacLeod said the city failed to recognize a 2009 DEP regulation required a public notification whenever testing results exceed 5 percent on monthly basis.
The regulation requires a notice by mail and one media notification. A letter has been mailed to residents and a newspaper ad created with the details.
MacLeod said the situation was not an emergency which would have required public notification within 24 hours.
“Total Coliform bacteria is generally not harmful themselves, Coliform is a sign there could be a problem with a treatment or distribution system but may also be found as a result of the sampling and/or laboratory error,” he said.
Subsequent testing did not find the bacteria, said MacLeod.
“I want to be clear that the water is fine to drink and otherwise consume for all purposes,” he said. “There is no need to boil water or take any other corrective action.”
He said subsequent samples have indicated the city’s water supply was not compromised and is safe.
“We believe the water quality was never in question,” said MacLeod.
The city’s water is treated through a desalination plant and chlorinated, he said.