Kearny Water Department -  TIER 2 PUBLIC NOTICE- FAQS

What is this notice I received in the mail?

Our water system recently violated a drinking water standard. Although this is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did to correct this situation. The notice received in the mail explains in detail what occurred.

What happened?

The Kearny Water Department purchases treated water from the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (NJDWSC). During the most recent monitoring period, the orthophosphate values did not meet the water quality parameters (WQP) set by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for 16 days within the six-month monitoring period. NJDWSC attributed this to a mechanical error on their end, and addressed the issue immediately.

Is there a lead issue in Kearny?

No. Despite the recent violation, lead and copper sampling results show that there is NO exceedance within the Town of Kearny water system.

What is being done to correct this issue?

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.

What should residents do?

This was not an emergency event. There is no immediate action residents need to take. However, there are some steps residents can take to reduce exposure to lead and/or copper in the future:

• 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. If a customer has documented levels of unsafe lead, they 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.

Where can I get a copy of the public notice?

To obtain a copy of the public notice, residents can visit the alerts section of https://mywater.veolia.us/

NOTE: Customer can contact Veolia at 201.955.7406 or [email protected] with additional questions or concerns.