Published in the Ocean County Observer
BY DON BENNETT
STAFF WRITER
TOMS RIVER — Dover Township's poor experience with United Water has led lawmakers to introduce a bill that would let officials and the public know more about how water utilities are operating.
Assemblymen Jim Holzapfel and David Wolfe, both R-Ocean, were urged by Dover Township officials to tighten controls on water utilities after United Water:
— Used more water than it was allotted, prompting the state Department of Environmental Protection to bar new connections to the water system.
— Allegedly doctored records to conceal contamination in the water. Two former water company employees were indicted this week by a state grand jury on charges stemming from that practice.
Holzapfel said the bill is designed to "prevent situations such as that which occurred in Dover Township from happening again.
The Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee approved the bill.
It would require water utilities to file reports with local officials quarterly and annually revealing the terms of their water allocation permit, whether it has been exceeded, and if the utility is seeking an increase in the allocation.
When the water supply is contaminated, the utility will be required to notify the public and local officials through reports, notices in the newspapers and inserts in water bills.
If the water allocation is exceeded, the utility would be required to publish a notice of the violation in a newspaper published in the affected area.
Fines of $50,000 to $100,000 are included in the bill.
Sen. Andy Ciesla, R-Ocean, is sponsoring an identical measure that cleared the Senate Environment Committee May 8.
Published in the Ocean County Observer on 06/18/06
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