Water Report: Livingston's Wells Are 'Susceptible' To Several Contaminants

How “susceptible” are Livingston’s wells to potential contamination?

Livingston’s 2015 water quality report recently gave residents good news… no contaminants were detected above the EPA or DEP-regulated maximums in the town’s 12 wells.

• See related article: Livingston Releases Annual Drinking Water Report

However, many of the township’s wells are considered “susceptible” to future contamination, according to the report.

Several were rated as high risks for the following:

• 12 wells rated “highly susceptible” to Volatile Organic Compounds (human-made chemicals used as solvents, degreasers, and gasoline components. Examples include benzene, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) and vinyl chloride.)
• 9 wells rated “highly susceptible” to Volatile Inorganic Compounds (mineral-based compounds that are both naturally occurring and human-made. Examples include arsenic, asbestos, copper, lead and nitrate.)
• 1 well rated “highly susceptible” to Radionuclides (radioactive substances that are both naturally occurring and human-made. Examples include radium and uranium.)
• 12 wells rated “highly susceptible” to Radon (a colorless, odorless, cancer-causing gas that occurs naturally in the environment.)
• 3 wells rated “highly susceptible” to Disinfection Byproduct Precursors (disinfection byproducts are formed when the disinfectants, usually chlorine, used to kill pathogens react with dissolved organic material present in surface water.)

“If a system is rated highly susceptible for a contaminant category, it does not mean a customer is or will be consuming contaminated drinking water,” the report explains. “The rating reflects the potential for contamination of source water, not the existence of contamination. Public water systems are required to monitor for regulated contaminants and to install treatment if any contaminants are detected at frequencies and concentrations above allowable levels.”

See the full listing of “susceptible” wells here.

Send Livingston news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com