Published in the Ocean County Observer
By KRISTEN PASCULLI
Staff Writer
TOMS RIVER -- United Water Toms River says its drinking water quality has met and exceeded all state and federal regulations with one official describing the the quality as "excellent."
Water companies must submit the report -- which is mandated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the state Department of Environmental Protection -- by July 1 each year.
The report states company customers from Dover, Berkeley and South Toms River use approximately 10 million gallons of water per day from 23 wells located throughout the service area.
During summer months when demand increases, customers also receive water from an interconnection with New Jersey American Water Company.
The interconnection was turned on just over a week ago in anticipation of warmer weather, but it was turned off two days later after a heavy rainfall.
According to reporting procedures, every detected contaminant must be listed even though it is detected within the limits of the regulation. A contaminant may be a naturally occurring or man-made substance.
"We have tried to keep our report as customer-friendly as possible, given the complex requirements," said George Flegal, manager of the water company.
"We believe this report is an important tool in educating our customers about the excellent quality of their tap water," Flegal said.
The report stated the construction and testing of Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) well 46 began in 2000. The well allows water to be pumped into the ground during the non-peak usage periods, where it is saved for use during warmer months.
The report also states treated water from wells 26 and 28 meets all regulatory standards, but has been discharged outside the water distribution system for percolation back into the aquifer since traces of SAN Trimer were found in 1996.
The report states water from these wells was not used for drinking purposes during 2000.
Various treatment methods are listed in the report, as well as a chart of all contaminants, and how much of each, were discovered.
The report states chlorine is commonly used to disinfect the water at all wells, though the company also adjusts the pH at certain locations to make the water less corrosive.
A combination of aeration and filtration is used to remove iron and manganese from well water at deeper aquifers.
Published on July 8, 2001
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