Matawan Water Safe to Drink, Contains Above Standard Levels of Contaminate

The Matawan Water Department is notifiying residents that the water system has levels of Total Trihalomethanes above drinking water standards.

According to a notification mailed out to residents on Nov. 15 and to Public Works Director John Applegate, this is not an emergency and residents do not have to boil water before drinking or be concerned for their safety.

"This is not an emergency. If it had been, residents would have been notified within 24 hours," Applegate said. "Any time a water system violates a maximun contaminate, we have to notify the public."

However, it is suggested as an extra precaution that people who have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, seek advice from you health care provider about this drinking water.

Applegate said that if a resident is concerned, they can leave water in an open container for two hours and the Trihalmethanes will dissipate.

Trihalmethanes form in the water when there is a mix of chlorine, total organics (which are formed by decaying leaves or twigs) and time.

"The problem in the Matawan system is that water is staying in the distribution time for long periods of time," Applegate said. "We have to take a sample from the area of the system where we have a very low flow rate. The reason we do that is, if there is a problem, it will be in an area where its most likely to form."

According to the notification, the standard for Total Trihalmethanes is 80 parts per billion, and the average over the last year in Matawan found a level of 88 parts per billion.

For now, the Matawan Department of Works will continue to flush the water system by flushing hydrants, referred to as "extensive distribution system flushing."

In 2012, New Jersey American Water is will transition from using chlorine to chloramines to disinfect the water, which will lower the concentration of Total Trihalmethanes, according to Applegate. Additionally, according to the notification, "Matawan will be draining, cleaning, and painting each of its water storage tanks. Each facility will also be retrofitted with mixing devices that will constantly circulate the water being held in storage."