Published in the Asbury Park Press
By Jean Mikle
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
ADDED CONNECTIONS STILL MONTHS AWAY
DOVER TOWNSHIP — A decision on United Water Toms River's application for an expanded state water allocation permit could be made by early July, but it will likely take several more months before the state allows any new connections to United's system.
Mayor Paul C. Brush said Tuesday that state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa Jackson indicated that a decision on the permit will probably be made within the first couple of weeks in July.
"If it's approved, the process would include publication and public hearings," Brush said. "It will probably be several months beyond that before anyone can connect to the system."
The DEP banned new connections to United's system on Sept. 1 because the company had exceeded its state water allocation in 2001, 2002 and 2004. The connection ban basically halted almost all new construction in Dover, South Toms River and the Silver Ridge and Holiday City sections of Berkeley.
United's existing permit allows it to use 4.282 billion gallons of water annually. The company has applied for an expanded permit that would allow its customers to use more than 6 billion gallons a year.
The hook-up ban has left some property owners in limbo, unable to develop their land or move into new homes because they cannot obtain a water connection from United.
The company has also not been able to issue "willingness to serve" letters, which are normally given to developers or owners of new homes. Such letters indicate that water is available and can be provided at the new development.
Township Attorney Mark A. Troncone said he has requested that the DEP schedule a public hearing for 30 days after the permit decision is revealed. The DEP normally schedules such hearings only if there is public interest in allocation decisions. Troncone said he assumes many people will want to comment at a public hearing on the allocation permit for United Water.
At Monday's meeting of the Citizens Action Committee on Childhood Cancer Cluster, Gene Callahan, section chief of the DEP's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, said a public hearing on United Water's allocation permit would probably be scheduled in mid- to late August.
"Is there enough water there?" Citizens Committee member Kim Pascarella asked. "Is this just a lot of red tape, or are we running out of water?"
Pascarella's question is on the minds of many people in Dover, where 7,400 United Water customers experienced low water pressure on Memorial Day. United Water has blamed the low pressure problems on a computer glitch that led company operators to believe a well was working when it had actually shut off.
"I can't answer that," Callahan said. "I don't work in the allocation section."
Jim Glozzy, United's vice president of operations and general manager of the company's New Jersey division, said United is convinced there is enough water available to serve the township's present and future needs.
"We believe there is plenty of water available in the aquifers," Glozzy said. "We were hoping to get a final allocation by the end of the year, but it may slip into next year."
Published in the Asbury Park Press 06/15/06
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