IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER               

Kearny Water Department Failed to Meet Established Water Quality Parameter (WQP) Levels

Our water system recently violated a New Jersey drinking water requirement, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did to correct this situation. Contact Veolia at 201-955-7406 or [email protected] for questions or to obtain a translated copy of this public notice.

Nuestro sistema de agua violó recientemente un requisito de agua potable de Nueva Jersey; como clientes, ustedes tienen derecho a saber qué sucedió, qué deben hacer y qué hicimos para corregir esta situación. Comuníquese con Veolia al 201-955-7406 o [email protected] si tiene preguntas o para obtener una copia traducida de este aviso público.

Our water system receives corrosion control treated water to help prevent lead and/or copper in the pipes from dissolving into the water. The corrosion control treatment was deemed optimized; and therefore, the New Jersey department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) established optimal Water Quality Parameters (WQP) values, which are values the corrosion control treatment functions most effectively. We monitor for  WQP values per federal regulations.

During the  July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 monitoring period, our WQP sample results did not meet the optimal WQP values set by the NJDEP for 16 days, and the water system cannot be below the minimum level(s) or outside the range(s) set by the NJDEP for more than nine (9) days.

In addition to monitoring optimal WQP values, our water system routinely monitors for lead and copper. The most recent monitoring conducted June 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 demonstrated we are in compliance with the Federal action levels for lead and copper. If there is a lead action level exceedance, you will be notified accordingly.     

What does this mean?                                                                                                          This is not an emergency. If it had been, you would have been notified within 24 hours. This violation does not mean there is confirmed lead and/or copper in your drinking water. However, since corrosion control treatment is used to protect residents from lead and copper potentially leaching from internal pipes and solder, it is important to be aware of the health effects of lead and copper and steps you may take to reduce your exposure.

● 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 abilities.  Adults who drink this water over many years could develop kidney problems or high blood pressure.

● Copper is an essential nutrient, but some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over a relatively short amount of time could experience gastrointestinal distress. Some people who drink water containing copper in excess of the action level over many years could suffer liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's Disease should consult their personal physician. 

If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about your drinking water.

Typically, lead and/or copper enters drinking water by leaching from pipes and plumbing components in homes and/or building(s). We receive treated water to reduce the wearing away of lead and/or copper leaching from pipes and plumbing components into the water and optimal WQP values set to ensure effectiveness of the treatment. Failure to meet the set values requires us to evaluate the currently installed treatment and operation thereof and take actions necessary to meet the optimal WQP values.

What should I do?                                                                                                                 You do not need to use an alternate water supply (e.g., bottled water). However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. Additionally, if you would like to reduce your potential exposure to lead and/or copper in drinking water, you may choose to take the following steps:

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.                           Regularly remove and clean aerators/screens on plumbing fixtures. Over time, particles and sediment can collect in the aerator screen. Regularly remove and clean aerators screens located at the tip of faucets and remove any particles.

For additional steps you may take to reduce your exposure to lead in drinking water, see https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/dwc-lead-consumer.html.

 What is being done?                                                                                                             The Kearny Water Department has introduced extra monitoring at the point of entry where Kearny receives treated water to guarantee compliance with NJDEP WQP limits, effective from September 7, 2023. Our commitment is to deliver safe and healthy water to you and your family. For more information, please contact Veolia at 201-955-7406 or [email protected] 

*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*    

This notice is being sent to you by the Kearny Water Department. State Water System ID#: 0907001.

Date distributed: April 27, 2024.