Published in the Ocean County Observer
BY LAWRENCE MEEGAN
STAFF WRITER
TOMS RIVER — Still furious that United Water failed to tell township residents about elevated radiation levels in its drinking water, local officials say they want to make it a crime — so company officials could be jailed if the failure happens again.
"When you get right down to it, United Water cannot say that our residents were not drinking water which exceeded these (radiation) levels," said Council President Gregory P. McGuckin.
Dover Mayor Paul C. Brush agreed that stronger action must be taken against utilities that do not operate within state and federally mandated limits.
"We have to put fear into the hearts of these utilities that have a monopoly," he said. "That's the only thing that's going to make them stand up and take notice."
On Friday, the state De-partment of Environ-mental Protection announced it was fining United Water $64,000 for failing to promptly report elevated radiation levels in the water supply.
Published in the Ocean County Observer 02/19/06
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