Erin Brockovich Opens Investigation Into Moorestown Water Issues

Moorestown, NJ -- Moorestown’s water issues are drawing attention from a prominent figure.

Erin Brockovich, whose battle against Pacific Gas & Electric in the 1990s was memorialized in a major motion picture, has been investigating the ongoing water issues facing Moorestown residents.

Brockovich’s lead investigator, Bob Bowcock of Integrated Resource Management Inc., said they opened the investigation after receiving several emails from Moorestown residents.

“We’ve been looking at this for about six months,” Bowcock told Patch this week.

Bowcock said they get hundreds of emails a day about water issues across the country, and this investigation became “very active” in the last few weeks.

Bowcock said they were surprised to see the manmade contaminant Trichloropropane 1,2,3 (TCP 1,2,3) in Moorestown’s water since it is normally found in California and Florida with the use of certain pesticides.

It’s typically used to kill nematods, roundworms that attack garden pests and plants alike. Bowcock said it is more than likely the origin of the presence of TCP 1,2,3 came from the superfund site that was nearby.

He said the presence of Trichlorethylene (TCE) most likely comes from the Lockheed Martin site at 199 Borton Landing Road.

Bowcock said Moorestown has made some mistakes in its handling of the issue, including certain aspects of the treatment. He also said he is disturbed that New Jersey American Water hasn’t taken more of a leadership role when it comes to making the community aware of these contaminants and how to treat them.

"New Jersey American Water provides safe, high quality, affordable water service that meets or surpasses applicable water quality standards throughout New Jersey," New Jersey American Water spokeswoman Judith Kelley said in a statement. "We have been, and will continue to be, a resource to Moorestown and any other community that faces challenges with their municipal water system."

She directed questions about Moorestown's situation to Moorestown officials.

He said he has spoken with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Moorestown Water Group, a group of citizens who have formed for the purpose of “ keeping residents informed about the ongoing water issues.”

Mayor Phil Garwood said Bowcock and Brockovich have not been in touch with the township, and he is only aware of the investigation through the Democratic campaign.

“I have a few concerns on this,” Garwood said. “The timing on this; it’s right before the election and they’re announcing it now, and who’s sponsoring this investigation? Who's paying for it?”

Bowcock said he and Brockovich pay for the investigations, which is why they can't get to everyone.

He also said the entities being investigated are typically not eager to share a lot of information with he and Brockovich, but Garwood said he welcomes the investigation and he looks forward to hearing from Brockovich's team.

“They can come in and take a look at what we’re doing, because what we’re doing is right on track with what needs to be done for the residents of Moorestown,” Garwood said.

The Moorestown Water Group issued a press release to the media Friday night announcing the investigation.

“The Moorestown Water Group is thrilled and grateful that their concerns were heard and that Ms. Brockovich’s team are lending their resources and support to help our township work towards a much-needed, cost-effective solution,” the group said in the statement. “We remain eternally thankful to the countless residents, friends and supporters, who have made this important step forward, possible.”

In August, NJDEP approved Moorestown’s plans for a temporary treatment at the North Church Street Water Treatment Plant. The township has also been looking at rehabilitating water treatment plants on Hartford Road and Kings Highway.

Garwood said he also hasn’t heard from NJDEP about the investigation. NJDEP referred all questions about the investigation to Brockovich’s team.

“The Moorestown Water Group is thrilled and grateful that their concerns were heard and that Ms. Brockovich’s team are lending their resources and support to help our township work towards a much-needed, cost-effective solution,” the group said in a statement. “We remain eternally thankful to the countless residents, friends and supporters, who have made this important step forward, possible.”

Bowcock said the investigation would take between six and eight weeks, at which time he would hold like to hold a town hall meeting, where he can explain how the community can handle the issue themselves.

“Erin and I are two people who are all over the country,” Bowcock said. “We like to empower the local community to make things right. The last thing we want is a fight."

Patch file photo of Erin Brockovich