Published in the Ocean County Observer
By KRISTEN PASCULLI
Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- United Water Toms River has shut off its interconnection with New Jersey American Water Co. because demand is down.
The decision was made by United Water Friday afternoon.
New Jersey Department of Health spokesman James Blumenstock said the water was turned off because water use drops when temperatures are cooler, and United Water no longer needed to supplement its supply through New Jersey American.
United Water Manager George Flegal said he does not foresee the interconnection having to be turned on in the near future, since well 34 came online last week and well 42 will be turned on soon.
Blumenstock said United Water, in times of demand and in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, turns first to its interconnection with New Jersey American. If United needs more, it turns to well 20, and then to wells 26 and 28.
Blumenstock said wells 26 and 28 are being treated for contaminants, and would have not been used before well 20 was. He said he was, "just speculating," that one of those wells soon may be turned on once again.
Blumenstock added when demand was high during the beginning of the month, well 20 was turned on for four days. This caused controversy, and the Citizen's Action Committee for Childhood Cancer, headed by Linda Gillick, and the Dover Township Committee, were upset because they were not notified when the well was turned on because it has elevated levels of radiation.
Committeeman John F. Furey said he was happy to hear from United Water regarding the interconnection being shut down only an hour after it first happened, and is hoping that the notification process between the water company and the township stays as efficient.
Blumenstock said township officials, the county board of health, and Gillick were notified promptly of the shutoff.
"Right now that water company in Toms River (United) does not need supplemental water from those sources (New Jersey American)," Blumenstock said.
Blumenstock said the interconnection was last turned on approximately a week ago.
Flegal said the demand for water is down and the supplies are up, which leaves the outlook for water supplies in Toms River looking better than it did a few weeks ago when high temperatures created a sharp increase in water use.
Some Dover residents are not so confident in United Water's decisions, whether the supply is good or not. Connie Balding said United Water should keep residents as well as township officials properly informed of happenings.
"How do we know it's all right?" she questioned, noting that she is unsure if the water from wells 20, 26 and 28 is safe to drink.
But Frank Delia Jr. and Rick McKelvey said they were not concerned with the interconnection shutoff or the possible contaminants in wells, noting the company's water meets all state and federal standards.
Published on May 21, 2001
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