East Orange Disputes Social Media Reports: Water Is ‘Safe, Clean’

EAST ORANGE, NJ — East Orange’s water is clean, safe and continues to meet the standards of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, according to city officials.

On Sunday – acting in response to “false water quality reports” that began swirling on social media – East Orange Mayor Ted Green and the city’s board of water commissioners issued a statement reassuring residents about the safety of the city’s water supply.

Here’s what city officials had to say:

“According to Christopher Coke, Executive Director of the East Orange Water Department, the most recent round of coliform testing that took place between January and February 2019 found no bacterial contaminants like E. coli or other organic compounds that would endanger the city’s water. In fact, the city, under the supervision of a licensed water treatment operator and its executive director, conducts sample testing regularly using third-party tester Aqua Pro-Tech Laboratories (APL) as an additional security measure to maintain water quality.”

Green said that he wasn’t sure where the faulty social media reports came from, but added that they’re not true.

“Our residents can be assured that our water is clean and safe,” Green said.

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