The Ocean County Health Crisis

STANDARDS FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER IN NEW JERSEY: A Publication sent to me by the NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection.

Public health is of paramount importance in the determination of what constitutes safe drinking water. Drinking water standards are developed by both Federal and State governments. Quality standards adopted into regulation are the minimum considered necessary for the maintenance of public health. The standards are set for biological contaminants, dissolved chemicals and suspended particulate matter. These contaminants are naturally occurring, the result of industrial and/or domestic pollution, or both. Some people consider the standards too lenient, and others believe they are too stringent.
The Bureau of Safe Drinking Water of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [NJDEP] has principal responsibility to administer the programs and activities of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure safe drinking water for both the citizens of New Jersey and its visitors.

Following are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding drinking water quality standards

DOES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REGULATE DRINKING WATER QUALITY?

Yes. The United States Environmental Protection Agency [USEPA] coordinates Federal Safe Drinking Water Act activities nationwide. However, in New Jersey, the NJDEP is the agency responsible for administering the Federal safe drinking water regulations. NJDEP regulates drinking water supplies under the authority of Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and its amendments, and under the authority of the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Act and its amendments. All Federal regulations are automatically adopted into New Jersey regulations by reference.

WHAT CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS DO THE REGULATIONS PROTECT AGAINST?

The regulated chemical contaminants fall into the following categories: inorganics, radionuclides, and synthetic organic chemicals including colatile organic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and trihalomethanes. A complete list of these regulated contaminants and the maximum permissible concentrations allowed in drinking water are listed in the insert to this brochure

WHAT BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS DO THE REGULATIONS PROTECT AGAINST?

The biological contaminants include coliform bacteria [which are found in the natural environment and in the gut of warm blooded animals] and Legionella bacteria and parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Waterborne bacterial diseases include typhoid and cholera. Although not directly a biological contaminant, the cloudiness or turbidity of the water is also tested because it can harbor biological contaminants.

IS MY WATER TESTED?

According to Federal law, all public community water systems and non-community water systems must test their water on a rigid schedule and at specific locations. Public community water systems include municipal water supplies and private water companies. Non-transient non-community water systems (eg., schools, factories, office buildings, industrial parks) test for all regulated contaminants except radionuclides and trihalomehanes. Transient non-communtiy water systems (eg., highway rest stops, restaurants, motels, parks) test for coliform bacteria, nitrates and nitrites.
Private wells are a private matter, and testing must be scheduled and paid for by the owner.
Drinking water suppliers are required to notify customers if the levels of any monitored chemicals exceed the standards as described inthe regulations. Notification can include public postings, the news media and mailings to individual customers, depending on the supplier.

WHO SETS THESE STANDARDS AND HOW WERE THEY SET?
The standards for drinking water quality in New Jersey are set by either the USEPA or the NJDEP. These standards, known as maximum contaminant levels (MCL) are the maximum permissible levels of all regulated contaminants allowed in public drinking water. All the MCLs in effect in New Jersey are adopted from Federal regulation except for 17 synthetic organic MCLs developed by New Jersey as a result of the 1984 amendments to the N.J. Safe Drinking Water Act. When standards are developed by both Federal and State drinking water agencies, the more stringent regulation applies.
One of the major reasons why New Jersey and Federal standards vary is that New Jersey law contains specific guidance for establishing MCLs that must be followed which differs from the Federal statuatory requirements. The USEPA is required to set maximum contaminant level goals [MCLG], non-enforceable health goals, at the level at which no known or anticipated adverse effects occur.
For carcinogenic or cancer causing chemicals, the USEPA sets MCLGs at zero. MCLs must be set as close to MCLGs as feasible. The Federal MCLs take into account the availability and capability of testing methodologies and the capability of water treatment technologies. On the other hand, drinking water standards in New Jersey are required to be established for carcinogens so that the risk of getting cancer is no greater than a one in one million chance over a lifetime exposure period. The noncarcinogenic drinking water standard setting in New Jersey is very similar to the Federal process.
Some standards are not numerical in nature and are called treatment techniques. A treatment technique is established as a standard for a number of contaminants that are not readily measurable in water. The most notable ones are biological in nature and come from surface water. The treatment technique standard for Giardia and viruses are established as minimum levels of treatment that results in removal of these contaminants.
In addition to MCLs, the USEPA regulates drinking water through "action levels" [AL]. To date, ALs have been established for lead and copper only. An AL is not an MCL. ALs are the measurements used for stating the concentration of lead and copper in public drinking water supplies that, if exceeded, determine whether a water system must install corrosion control treatment, monitor source water, replace lead service lines and undertake a public education/notification program.

HOW WILL THE STANDARDS IMPROVE MY DRINKING WATER?

The standards lead to the improvement of drinking water through periodic tests, evaluation of results and corrective actions. The test results are sent to the NJDEP. If the level of any regulated contaminant is above the MCL, additional samples are taken to confirm that a problem exists. The supplier of that water is then required to eliminate the problem by changing to another water source or by improving water treatment. Fortunately, there are techniques to remove these contaminants from water at a reasonable cost. Treatment techniques vary depending on the contaminant[s]. Techniques include but are not limited to chemical precipitation, filtration, packed tower aeration [air strippingl and granular activated carbon. In addition to the mandated testing, DEP's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water also conducts random spot checks of public water systems.

WHAT TESTS DO YOU RECOMMEND FOR MY PRlVATE WELL? As an absolute minimum, bacteriological testing should be done annually, and more often if you or members of your household experience problems with diarrhea. Testing for nitrate and lead is also recommended.
Your local health department or the NJDEP laboratory certification program [(609) 2923950] can provide the names of certified water testing laboratories in your area. You are responsible for the costs of testing. Your local health department can provide you with guidance if your water exceeds any drinking water standards.
Some local health departments have additional regulations regarding tests for private wells and will be able to provide information if such regulations are established in your community.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE STANDARDS?

The NJDEP's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, along with the Bureau of Water and Hazardous Waste Enforcement, reviews monitoring data (provided by the water systems in accordance with Federal and State law) and initiates appropriate legal actions ranging from Notice of Violation letters to Administrative Orders with financial penalties, for water that exceeds standards.
For a detailed explanation of the Safe Drinking Water Program, refer to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act regulations [40 CFR Parts 141, 142, 143] and the New Jersey Safe Drinking Water regulations [N.J.A.C. 7:10-1 et seq.].
If you have any questions or concerns about your drinking water, you may call The Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at (609) 292-5550.