Drinking Water Fails To Meet PH Quality Level In South Brunswick: Water Dept.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — The Township’s water department has informed residents that the water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Drinking water in the township did meet the pH quality level, officials said.

The township installed corrosion control treatment years ago to help prevent lead or copper in pipes from dissolving into the water.

However, during the six-month monitoring period between July 2022 to December 2022, the township failed to consistently meet treatment techniques required for corrosion system control, according to the Water Quality Parameter (WQP) results.

“WQP results did not meet the optimal WQP control values set by the State for a total of 42 days in the 6-month monitoring period, and the system cannot be outside the values set by the State for more than nine days,” the Water Department said.

“Although our system did not meet the optimal WQP control values, our water system has not detected lead or copper levels above the action level.”

While the situation is not considered an emergency, infants and children who drink water containing excess lead could experience delays in physical and mental development and show deficits in attention span and learning abilities, the department said.

Adults who drink water with an excess of lead over many years could develop kidney problems and high blood pressure.

Consuming water with excess copper can lead to gastrointestinal distress and liver and kidney damage.

The Township’s Water Department is currently working with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to address the concern.

“South Brunswick Township Water Department is working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) on establishing new optimal WQP limits at our point of entry to the distribution system as well as ensuring our corrosion control equipment is working properly to be within the NJDEP established Optimal Range,” the department said.

The Water Department has shared some steps you can take to reduce exposure to lead and copper:

• Run water to flush out lead and/or copper. Run water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking, if it hasn't been used for several hours.
• Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; Lead dissolves more quickly into hot water.
• Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
• Do not boil water. Boiling water will not reduce lead and/or copper levels.
• Use alternate sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider using bottled water for drinking and cooking or a water filter designed to remove Lead.
• Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce Lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters. Be sure to maintain and replace a filter device in accordance with the manufacturer's standards to ensure water quality.
• Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about lead exposure.

For more information, contact South Brunswick Township Water Department at 732-329-4000 ext.7270 PO BOX 190, Monmouth Junction NJ 08852 or NJDEP Safe Drinking Water at 609-292-5550.

Have a correction or a news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com