Moorestown Provides Clarity on Letter Concerning Coliform in Water Supply

Moorestown, NJ -- A letter received by Moorestown residents concerning the presence of coliform in the water caused confusion and concern this week, and both Moorestown Mayor Phil Garwood and Township Manager Scott Carew addressed the issue in recent days.

“First, at no time - either last February, or now - has there ever been a risk to public health from the presence of coliform bacteria in that water sample,” Garwood said in a statement issued Wednesday evening. “Next, we’ve continued to sample the water at that location and every other location since last February, every month, and no coliform bacteria has been detected in the water during the past year.”

Residents received a letter over the weekend informing them that coliform was discovered in water samples taken from one location in Moorestown in February of 2015. The initial sample was taken on Feb. 11, with repeat samples taken on Feb. 13 and 17, according to Moorestown’s Utilities Superintendent and Licensed Water Operator, Bill Butler.

Follow up samples taken on Feb. 18 and 25 tested negative for coliform in the water, and no traces have been found since.

Coliform is commonly used as an indicator of how sanitary water and foods can be. They don’t normally cause serious illness, but can be used to indicate the presence of other pathogenic organisms of fecal origin.

They are present in the feces of warm-blooded animals, but it doesn't contain fecal matter, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

The coliform was the result of a sample taken from a dirty water tap at one location, Carew said on Thursday.

The township notified the NJDEP of the sample when it was taken, and was told to inform the residents in a way that is consistent with federal regulations.

The specific language notes a "Tier 2 public notification must be completed" in compliance with federal law, but it doesn't specify a letter must be sent, according to the notice of non-compliance sent to the township and provided to Patch by NJDEP.

In 2010, coliform was detected in the township’s water supply. At that time, Butler was told no letter needed to be sent. As a result, he believed he didn’t need to send a letter related to this incident.

The presence of coliform was posted on the township’s website.

Then, on Feb. 18 of this year, the township received a notice of non-compliance from NJDEP, informing them a letter needed to be sent.

Residents received the letter over the weekend, and the information will be included in the township’s upcoming Consumer Confidence Report that reflects testing that took place over the course of the previous year.

Although Moorestown didn’t send the letter within 30 days of the contaminant being detected, NJDEP said there will be no enforcement action because the township corrected the issue.

The township did conduct a Level 1 assessment as mandated, but no corrective action plan was needed.

Carew said the township will clarify recent events in the next few days.

Additionally, Garwood said in his statement that the township will explain all the details concerning last week’s letter, the water testing that it does routinely, and how it will continue to “take meaningful steps to keep Moorestown’s water the very best and safest for our residents” at upcoming council meetings.

The letter sent last week includes language suggesting residents boil water and that people with compromised immune systems, infants and the elderly may be at risk. NJDEP said that is typical language that is included in these types of letters out of an abundance of caution, and doesn't necessarily mean anyone in Moorestown was at risk.

It also states that the township was using New Jersey American Water during the time the coliform was discovered.

The township was using water from New Jersey American because the two wells at the North Church Street Treatment Plant were shut down due to the presence of the unregulated contaminant trichloropropane 123 (TCP 123) in the water.

One well was reopened last summer, but recently closed once again, leaving the township back in a position where it must rely on New Jersey American Water.

The township will continue to monitor the water at 24 locations throughout the township, Butler said.