ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT

Winslow Township

Consumer Confidence Report (C.C.R.)

PWSID # 0436007 SICKLERVILLE/IVYSTONE  & PWSID #0436008 EAST ELMTOWNE

JUNE - 2009

          ________________________________________________________________

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

Winslow Township Municipal Utility-Sicklerville has levels of Gross Alpha and Radium

Above Drinking Water Standards

 

The Township has received its most current water quality results from its municipal water supply wells.  As required by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the Township is obligated to inform the public of those results that exceed NJDEP Safe Drinking Water maximum contaminant levels (MCL). The table on page 7 identifies the well and the constituent which exceeds the MCL.

 

It should be noted that for the noted constituents, the NJDEP defines the MCL based on a 4 quarter running annual average. The MCL for gross alpha activity is 15 pCi/L and 5 pCi/L for radium.

 

Although this is not an emergency, as our customers you have a right to know what happened, what you should do and what we are doing to correct this situation.

 

What does this mean?

This is not an immediate risk.  If it had been, you would have been notified immediately.  However, certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation.  Some people who drink water containing alpha emitters in excess of the MCL over many years may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

 

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards and has determined that Radium poses health concern at certain levels of exposure.  The EPA has estimated that the additional lifetime risk associated with drinking water that contains the MCL level for Radium is about 1 in 10,000.  This means that if 10,000 people were to consume two liters of this water per day for 70 years, we would expect to see one additional concern in the 10,000 people exposed.

 

What should I do?

You do not need to use an alternative water supply (e.g. bottled water). However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor.

 

Well #1, which has the presence of radionuclides, has not been operative since 2006.  It is highly unlikely that this well will ever be returned to service.  If the Township does decide to reactivate the well, then additional public notice will be provided.  Additionally, a radium removal system must be installed to Well # 1 before the Township can return this facility to service.

 

Well #8 remediation is complete. In service operation is scheduled by this summer.

 

The Township also entered into contract with NJ American Water Company for the purchase of bulk water supply.  The NJAWCO is currently supplying 1.5 million gallons of water per day to Winslow Township residents. 

 

For more information, please contact the Department of Municipal Utilities (609) 567-0700 or on our website at www.winslowtownship.com.  This notice is being sent to you by the Winslow Township Municipal Utilities Department.

 

State Water System ID# NJ0436007

 

MISSION STATEMENT:  “THE TOWNSHIP OF WINSLOW’S DEPARTMENT OF MUNICIPAL UTILITIES IS DEDICATED TO ENSURE THAT YOUR WATER MEETS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.  WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THE HIGH QUALITY OF WATER  WE HAVE BEEN SUPPLYING FOR MANY YEARS, AND ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF SERVICE TO MEET FUTURE NEEDS OF THE TOWNSHIP.”

 

           Annual Water Quality Report

        Winslow Township Department of Municipal Utilities

        (Water quality test results from previous year 2008)

 

This report is designed to inform you about the water quality and services we provide to you, your homes and businesses every day.  Our endless goal is to provide you with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.  We want you to understand the efforts made to continually improve the water treatment process and constantly protect our water resources.  We are committed to ensuring the quality of your water and through routine monitoring and testing, our water is safe and meets federal and state requirements.

 

In Winslow Township, our water source is wells.  Our nine wells draw groundwater from three different aquifers or water bearing sands.  Seven wells are in the Cohansey aquifer, one in the Piney Point aquifer, and one in the Mt. Laurel-Wenonah aquifer.  The Bureau of Safe Drinking water has completed a current assessment for our sources of drinking water. 

 

This pamphlet is designed to help you understand how your water is treated and tested before it is delivered to your homes and businesses.  The water in Winslow Township, is treated daily by qualified Personnel who work with strict regulations and guidelines from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy.

 

Treatment facilities are located at each well and consist of a Lime or Caustic Soda (NaOH 25%) addition to raise the pH level above 7.0, an addition of a corrosion control inhibitor (Klenphos), and the addition of chlorine provides disinfection throughout the system.  For additional protection, the newest wells have air stripping for protection against possible volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) and radon contamination. Well #8 will utilize a small amount of sodium bisulfate as part of this Radium rehabilitation process.

 

In order to ensure that the water from your tap is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems.  The Food and Drug     Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health.  All drinking water including bottled drinking water is reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some components.  It is important to remember that the presence of these components does not necessarily pose a health risk.

 

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.     Environmental   Protection   Agency/Center  for  Disease  Control   (EPA/CDC) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by cryptosporidium and other microbiological contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791.

 

Source Water Assessments:  The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has prepared Source Water Assessment Reports and Summaries for all public water systems.  Further information on the Source Water Assessment Program can be obtained by logging onto NJDEP's source water web site at www.state.nj.us/dep/swap or by contacting NJDEP's  Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at 609-292-5550.  You may also contact your public water system supplier at 609-567-0700.  (See Source Water Assessment Table.)

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION REGARDING CHILDREN, PREGNANT WOMEN, NURSING MOTHERS AND OTHERS AT RISK

 

Infants and children who drink water containing lead in excess of the action level could experience delays in their physical or mental  development. Children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning disabilities. Children may receive a slightly higher amount of a contaminant present in water than adults on a body weight basis.  This may occur because children may drink a greater amount of water per pound of body weight than adults.  For this reason, reproductive or developmental effects are used for calculating drinking water standard if these effects occur at lower levels than other effects of concern. Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure. In the cases of lead and nitrate effects on infants and children are the health endpoints upon which the standards are based.

 

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells.  As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

 

“What Are Drinking Water Standards?” Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), EPA sets standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water.  For each of these contaminants, EPA sets a legal limit, called a “maximum contaminant level” (MCL), which requires a certain treatment.  Water suppliers may not provide water that does not meet these standards.  Water that meets EPA standards is safe to drink.

 

 

CONTAMINANTS THAT MAY BE IN SOURCE WATER INCLUDE:

 

 Microbial  Contaminants,  such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife;

 

Inorganic  Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water runoff,

      industrial or domestic waste water discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming;

 

Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses;

 

Organic Chemical  Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which  are by-products of industrial  

      processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic systems;

 

Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities. Certain minerals are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as Alpha Radiation. Some people who drink water containing Alpha Radiation and/or Radium 226 and Radium 228 over many years have an increased risk of getting Cancer.

 

NITRATE:  Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a health risk for infants of less than six months of age.  High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause “Blue Baby” syndrome.  Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity.  If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.

 

ARSENIC: While your drinking water meets the EPA’s standard for arsenic, it does contain low levels of arsenic.  EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water.  EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

 

TRIHALOMETHANES:  Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

 

SODIUM:  For healthy individuals, the sodium intake from water is not important, because a much greater intake of sodium takes place from salt in the diet.  However, sodium levels above the recommended upper limit may be of concern to individuals on a sodium restricted diet.

 

Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population.  It is possible that lead levels at your home will be higher  than other homes in the community because of materials used in your home’s plumbing.  If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may have your water tested.  In addition, you can flush your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water during the morning hours when tap is first used.  Additional information is available at the Dept. of Municipal Utilities Office (609) 567-0700, and by calling the NJDEP “Safe Drinking Water Hotline” 1-800-426-4791.

 

The table that follows shows the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2008 for most recent results.  As water travels over the land or underground, it can pick up substances or contaminants such as microbes, inorganic or organic chemicals, and radioactive substances.  The table illustrated in this pamphlet shows there are no water source violations for the monitoring year 2008.  Please note, the water delivered to all our water users is “lead free”.  A corrosion control program is ongoing and has expanded to counteract the effects of lead- soldered pipes in some households.  In these few locations, detection is only after the water has not been used at all in the house for at least six to twelve hours.

 

The Safe Drinking Water Act Regulations allow monitoring waivers to reduce or eliminate the monitoring requirements for asbestos, volatile organic chemicals, and synthetic organic chemicals.  Our system received monitoring waivers for all of these contaminants,  organic  chemicals  and  asbestos.

 

Please Note:  Nickel does not have a maximum contaminant level (MCL).  The requirements call for monitoring only. Secondary Contaminants do not have maximum contaminant levels.  These substances affect the aesthetic characteristics of the water but do not affect water quality.

 

The Winslow Township Department of Municipal Utilities routinely monitors for contaminants in your drinking water according to Federal and State laws. The tables in the illustration show the results of our monitoring for the period of January 1^st to December 31, 2008.  The state allows us to monitor for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently.  Some  of  our data, though representative, is more than two years old.

 

DEFINITIONS 

 

In the following table, you will find many terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with.  To help you better understand these terms please review the following definitions:

 

<  The results are less than the number listed

>  The results are greater than or equal to the number listed

Mrem/yr – millirems per year (a measure of radiation)

pC/L – picocuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity)

ppb – parts per billion

ppm – parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L)

N/D – non detected

RAA – Running Annual Average

 

Non-Detects (ND) laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.

 

Parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.

 

Parts per billion (ppb) or micrograms per liter – one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000.

 

Parts per trillion (ppt) or nanograms per liter (nanograms/L) – one part per trillion corresponds to one minute in 2,000,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000,000.

Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.

 

Action Level – the concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.

 

Maximum Contaminant Level – The maximum allowed (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water.  MCL’s are set as close to the MCLG’s as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

 

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal – The goal (MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk of health.  MCLG’s allow for a margin of safety.

 

Again, we wish to thank you for taking the time to read our ninth annual Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report.  If you have any questions concerning your water utility, or water quality, please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Municipal Utilities Office at 609-567-0700.  The Governing Body of Winslow Township conducts regularly scheduled meetings on Municipal Utility issues.  Please call for dates and times at 609-567-0700.

 

The Township of Winslow, Dept. of Municipal Utilities will continue to provide quality water to every tap.  We ask that you, our water users, help us to protect our water sources which are the heart of our community, our way of life and our children’s future.

 

In response to the State of New Jersey’s Domestic Security Preparedness Act,  all water sources have had a vulnerability assessment completed.  This includes enhanced security and around-the-clock surveillance.  Please  call our office at 609-567-0700 if you have any questions or concerns about our water system.

 

Township of  Winslow,  Department of Municipal Utilities Test Results

PWS ID# 0436007 – Sicklerville / Ivystone Test Results
CONTAMINANT:	Violation Y/N	Level Detected			Units of Measurement	MCLG		MCL		LIKELY SOURCE OF CONTAMINATION:
Radioactive Contaminants:
Alpha emitters	Yes	Range = 6.1 – 26.1 Highest detect = 26.1			pCi/1	0		15 RAA		Erosion of natural deposits
Combined  radium	Yes	Range = .2.1 -7.4 Highest detect = 7.4			pCi/1	0		5 RAA		Erosion of natural deposits
Inorganic Contaminants:
Barium	No	Range = .01-1 Highest detect = .1			ppm		2	2	Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits
Copper	No	No Sample exceeded the Action Level			ppm		1.3	AL = 1.3	Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride	No	ND			ppm		4	4	Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
Lead	No	Range= .002-.028			ppb		0	AL = 15	Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits
Nitrate (as Nitrogen)	No	Range = .04 –3.9 Highest Detect = 3.9			ppm		10	10	Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Sodium	No	Range = 5.9 16.1 Highest Detect = 16.1			ppm		50	50	Erosion of natural deposits; by product of pH adjustment
Volatile Organic Contaminants:
TTHM Total trihalomethanes	No	Range = 0 – 36.60 Highest detect = 38.60			ppb		N/A	80		By-product of drinking water disinfection
HAA Haloacetic Acids	No	Range = 0 – 9.10 Highest = 9.10			ppb		N/A	C        60		By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

PWS ID# 0436008 - East Elmtowne Test Results

CONTAMINANT:

Violation Y/N

Level Detected

Units of Measurement

MCLG

MCL

LIKELY SOURCE  OF  CONTAMINATION:

Radioactive Contaminants:

Alpha emitters

No

pCi/1

0

15

Erosion of natural deposits

Combined Radium (2006)

No

Range = 0.30 – 3.3 Highest Detect = 3.3

pCi/1

0

5 RAA

Erosion of natural deposits

Inorganic Contaminants:

Barium (2006)

No

0.005

ppm

2

2

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Copper

No

No Sample Exceeded AL

ppm

1.3

AL = 1.3

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride (2006)

No

0.43

ppm

4

4

Erosion of natural deposits; water additive which promotes strong teeth; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories

Lead

No

No Sample Exceeded AL

ppb

0

AL = 15

Corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits

Nitrate (as Nitrogen)

No

ND

ppm

10

10

Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits.

TTHM   Total Trihalomethanes

No

27.53

ppb

N/A

80

By-product of drinking water disinfection

HAA     Haloacetic Acids

No

7.30

ppb

N/A

60

By-product of drinking water disinfection

PWS ID #0436007 SICKLERVILLE/IVYSTONE

Pathogens

Nutrients

Pesticides

Volatile Organic Compounds

Inorganics

Radio- nuclides

Radon

Disinfection Byproduct Precursors

Sources

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

Wells-8

3

5

6

2

5

3

3

5

6

2

6

2

7

1

3

5

GUDI-0

Surface water Intakes – 0

PWS ID #0436008 EAST ELMTOWNE

Pathogens

Nutrients

Pesticides

Volatile Organic Compounds

Inorganics

Radio- nuclides

Radon

Disinfection Byproduct Precursors

Sources

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

H

M

L

Wells-2

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

GUDI-0

Surface water Intakes – 0

Delaware River Regional WTP

Table Of Detected Contaminants - 2008

Regulated Substances

Contaminant

Units

Compliance Achieved?

MCLG

MCL

Highest Level Detected

Range Detected

Typical Source

Inorganics

Barium

ppm

Yes

2

2

.012

.012

Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits

Sodium

ppm

Yes

50

50

12

12

Erosion of natural deposits

Nickel

ppb

Yes

100

100

1.4

1.4

Erosion of natural deposits

Nitrate

ppm

Yes

10

10

1.27

1.27

Runoff from fertilizer use; industrial or domestic wastewater discharges; erosion of natural deposits

Fluoride

ppm

Yes

2

ND

ND

Erosion of natural deposits

Treatment Byproducts

Bromate

ppm

Yes

NA

0.01

0.006

ND to 0.006

By-product of drinking water ozonation

Turbidity

Turbidity 1

NTU

Yes

0

TT = 1 NTU

0.21

0.07 to 0.21

Soil runoff

%

Yes

NA

TT = % of samples <0.3 NTU

100%

NA

Soil runoff

Treatment Byproducts Precursor Removal

Total Organic Carbon

%

Yes

NA

TT >35% Removal

47% 3

43 to 63

Naturally present in the environment

Footnotes

1 100% of the turbidity readings were below the treatment technique requirement of 0.3 NTU. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water.  It is used as an indication of the performance of the surface water treatment plant in Delran.  We monitor turbidity because it is a good indicator of water quality. High turbidity can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.

3  Data represents the lowest removal of Total Organic Carbon.  Compliance is based on running annual average.

4 The State of New Jersey allows us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once a year because the concentrations of these contaminants are not expected to vary significantly from year to year. Some of the data, though representative, are more than one year old.  Further information can be obtained by contacting NJ American Water Company at 1-800-652-6987 or on their website at www.amwater.com.