NJAW completes lead and copper sampling, verifies its systems are compliant

CAMDEN, NJ — New Jersey American Water has completed its required lead and copper sampling for 2019 and all systems tested meet state water quality regulations, according to an NJAW press release. The company tested 14 water systems that are required to be tested between June and September, and all results show compliance with safe drinking water guidelines for lead and copper. The company’s other 20 water systems are tested every three years in accordance with DEP regulations and they are also in compliance.

“New Jersey American Water routinely tests and monitors the drinking water leaving the treatment facilities and at different distribution points through the system — and we provide corrosion control treatment where needed — and these specific lead and copper testing results show both our investment in infrastructure and our treatment processes are working,” NJAW President Cheryl Norton said. “While these results will be included in our annual water quality reports in June, we wanted to share this news with our customers now so they can feel confident that their water is safe to drink.”

The three water systems in NJAW’s North Operations division that were tested this year and the towns served in each are as follows: the South Orange Village water system, which serves South Orange; the Twin Lakes water system, which serves Bernardsville; and the Short Hills water system, which serves Bedminster, Berkeley Heights, Bernards and Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Chatham Borough, Chatham Township, Chester Borough, East Hanover, Far Hills, Florham Park, Harding, Hillside, Irvington, Livingston, Long Hill Township, Madison, Maplewood, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Millburn and Short Hills, Morris, New Providence, Roseland, South Orange, Springfield, Summit, Union, Verona, Warren, Watchung and West Orange.

NJAW relies on the expertise of more than 800 professionals across the state, from plant operators and water quality professionals to engineers and water distribution professionals, to monitor and test the water, and maintain facilities and infrastructure across the state to ensure safe, efficient operations, according to the release. NJAW’s water treatment technology, combined with its aggressive infrastructure investment program that focuses on the replacement of aging water mains and service lines, work together to help ensure quality and reliability for customers. The company invests approximately $350 million annually to upgrade plants, pumps and pipes throughout its service areas. Additionally, if a company-owned lead service line is encountered during a replacement or repair project, the company mitigates the risk for customers by offering to replace the customer-owned portion of the line at the same time.

Although lead is not an issue in the treated water leaving the company’s facilities or in the pipes in the distribution system, the company reminds customers there are additional steps people can take to help further protect themselves from lead particles that could be present in indoor plumbing. If your home was built before 1985, your plumbing system may contain leaded materials. To minimize possible exposure, experts recommend running your kitchen tap with cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes if it has gone unused for more than six hours. This is a simple way to reduce the risk of lead exposure from plumbing in older buildings. For more tips and information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com/leadfacts.

  Lead, NJAW, Water, Water Testing