investor-owned New Jersey American Water,

Pohatcong Valley Superfund site water could increase cancer risk | lehighvalleylive.com:

'via Blog this'While the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services said Thursday that groundwater at the Pohatcong Valley Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site is safe if you use public or treated water, untreated private water could increase the risk of cancer and birth defects.

The aquifer that feeds Washington, and Franklin and Washington townships in Warren County, is contaminated with tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene, according to a state health department news release.

The impact of that contamination differs depending on treatment of the water. Public water sources and private wells filtered with a point-of-entry treatment system, known as a POET system, are safe.

But unfiltered water in the region could have risks. Residents exposed to trichloroethylene have a low increase in risk of cancer and birth defects, according to the health department.

There are about 48 homes in the three townships that used private wells exposed to trichloroethylene before connection to public water services in 1981 or installation of point-of-entry systems in 2002.

Exposure to surface water from Pohatcong and Shabbecong creeks should not have an impact on cancer risk, according to the health department release.

As long as residents use public water sources or private water sources with a point-of-entry system, there is little danger. Franklin Township Mayor Bonnie Butler said the oversight from the state and federal governments has been very responsible.

"The controls in place are very stringent, so I'm confident that they will address the issues with contamination," Butler said.

In Franklin, part of the municipality is already hooked up to investor-owned New Jersey American Water, meaning most residents are already safe from the problem, she said.

Washington Township Mayor Michael Kovacs declined comment, saying he was unfamiliar with the recent assessment.

***

More information about the state's assessment can be found online.

The state health department will host a public comment period between today and June 3. Comments can be sent to:

Environmental and Occupational Health Surveillance Program
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services
Consumer, Environmental and Occupational Health Service
P.O. Box 369
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0369