Published in the Ocean County Observer
By ANDREW KLAPPHOLZ
Staff Writer
Officials demand notice when wells with elevated radiation levels are in use.
TOMS RIVER -- United Water Toms River officials felt the heat last night as Dover officials and members of the Citizens Action Committee on Childhood Cancer Cluster demanded to be notified when the water company activates wells that have high radiation levels.
"It is a very serious problem," said Committeeman John Furey. "We need some sort of public notification."
Recently, United Water's well 20 -- an Indian Head Road well that in the past has had elevated levels of naturally occurring radiation -- was turned on because of a shortage of water caused by a dry spell and repairs on two other wells.
Officials from United Water argued that when water from that well is combined with the rest of the water supply, the total amount of water -- which is distributed among about 95,000 customers in the Toms River area -- has a safe radiation level below the state and federal governments' standards.
However, residents in the service area have been affected by an unusually high rate of childhood brain and central nervous system cancers and are concerned about environmental impact of elevated radiation levels in the town's drinking water supply.
Linda L. Gillick, chairwoman of the Citizens Action Committee on Childhood Cancer Cluster, said it's important for concerned residents to know about individual well activations because they may not want to use water that includes water from well 20, which has only rarely been used in the company's drinking water system over the past 4 1/2 years.
"I don't care if they meet state or federal standards," Gillick said. "They need to notify the public immediately."
Residents said they found out about well 20's activation by calling United Water's hotline. However, the service did not work until about five hours after the well was turned on, residents said.
Gillick said that's too long because residents who have children with cancer need to be informed so they can choose to keep their kids away from well 20 water.
"It could be the best water in the country -- and maybe it will be when we're done -- but let it be my choice whether to turn my tap on," she said.
United Water officials said well 20 had to be used because the company lost about one-seventh of its supply when two other wells were out being serviced. One had a broken motor, and the other required routine maintenance, officials said.
Committeeman John Russo Jr. said he found out about well 20's activation through concerned residents, who called him at home.
"I didn't know what they were talking about," Russo said. "If we're not telling the elected officials, it's not working."
Published on May 15, 2001
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