Reader Claims Water’s ‘Worse than Well;’ Agency Tests According to NJ Mandates

VILLAS – One resident of Villas recently expressed concern that water in her apartment did not measure up to acceptable standards. She wrote to the Herald: “Water has been so so, now there is a yellow much (muck) in my toilet bowl and high iron taste in water, worse than well water. For weeks my hot water smelled like feces and my clothes have an oil residue after washing.” 
The Herald reviewed the “Consumer Confidence Report” located on Lower Township Municipal Utilities Authority’s website and contacted Lower Township MUA Superintendent Craig Loper to learn more about water testing protocols and recent test results .
The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also known as the Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, lists the most recent water test results from 2013, (issued in 2014).
That report indicates that five Lower Township wells were tested for pathogens, nutrients, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, inorganics, radionuclides, radon, and disinfectant by-product precursors.
The spreadsheet at the bottom of the CCR indicates a low susceptibility for each category at those five wells and intake valves. He explained that test results are updated every three years based on state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) guidelines; yearly testing is not required due to the stable nature of the water supply source which is the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer.
According to Loper, sodium levels are also measured continuously due to the risk of salt water intrusion in the township, and those results are reported four times a year to the DEP.
Loper explained that flushing of fire hydrants is required twice a year to remove materials that may accumulate in pipes. He stated “The MUA currently has acquired improved, high-velocity equipment including the new street valve program that has increased the water flow velocity from two feet per second, to five feet per second, to improve the quality of the water system.”
Loper further explained that if any analyte (chemical substance that is the subject of chemical analysis) is detected in the testing, “that does not necessarily mean that the substance is higher than safe limits set by the DEP.”
He stated that if anyone makes a complaint to his office about water, they should be sure to include current contact information so that his staff can properly follow up.
He added that any complaints or concerns expressed to the DEP are also immediately followed up because the DEP will contact his office as soon as issues are raised by residents.
The following excerpt from the LTMUA website, Customer Confidence Report, explains how water testing data is interpreted according to DEP guidelines:
“If a (water) system is rated highly susceptible for a contaminant category, it does not mean a customer is or will be consuming contaminated drinking water. The rating reflects the potential for contamination of source water, not the existence of contamination.
“Public water systems are required to monitor for regulated contaminants and to install treatment if any contaminants are detected at frequencies and concentrations above allowable levels. As a result of the assessments, DEP may customize (change existing) monitoring schedules based on the susceptibility ratings.”
Residents who want to access the complete Consumer Confidence Report should visit the LTMUA site and enter the “About” button located on the top menu bar.