East Brunswick Tap Water: Safe?

Tap water in East Brunswick, New Jersey, is generally considered safe to drink. The township's tap water provider, East Brunswick Water Utility, ensures that the water meets the standards established by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) data from April 2019 to June 2022, East Brunswick had no active health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). However, it is important to consider factors such as lead piping in homes and low levels of pollutants that may affect immunocompromised individuals.

While the tap water meets the EPA's health guidelines and is unlikely to cause immediate illness, it may still contain trace amounts of regulated and unregulated contaminants. These contaminants could potentially lead to health issues over time, especially for vulnerable individuals. Additionally, the EPA is reviewing the strictness of its regulations around pollutant levels and addressing the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants like PFAS.

In summary, while East Brunswick's tap water is considered safe for consumption, residents should stay informed about the quality of their water supply and take appropriate measures, such as using water filters, to ensure their drinking water is free from harmful contaminants.

Tap water in East Brunswick is generally considered safe to drink

Tap water in East Brunswick, New Jersey, is generally considered safe to drink. The township's tap water provider, East Brunswick Water Utility, ensures that the water quality meets the standards established by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO), as of July 2022, East Brunswick's tap water was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

However, it is important to note that the presence of contaminants and pollutants in tap water is a concern in East Brunswick. A 2019 report by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group found nine total contaminants in the township's water supply between 2012 and 2017, two of which exceeded the group's recommended health guidelines. These contaminants included chromium (hexavalent) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), both of which are linked to an increased risk of cancer.

While the tap water in East Brunswick meets federal health guidelines, it is important to be aware of other factors that can affect water quality. For example, lead piping in older homes and low levels of pollutants can still pose health risks, especially for immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals. Additionally, the EPA is reviewing whether its current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough to protect public health.

To ensure the safety of your drinking water, it is recommended to refer to the Environmental Working Group's public database, which provides information on contaminants in every water system in the country. You can also consider investing in water filters, such as carbon filters, which can help reduce the levels of certain contaminants in your tap water.

However, there are contaminants in the water that exceed health guidelines

While tap water in East Brunswick, New Jersey, is generally considered safe to drink, there are some contaminants in the water that exceed health guidelines. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found nine total contaminants across the water supply between 2012 and 2017, with two exceeding the EWG's recommended health guidelines. These contaminants are:

• Chromium (hexavalent): Detected at 5.2 times the rate of the suggested EWG guideline. Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that can be found in drinking water due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater.
• Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA): Detected at eight times the rate of the suggested EWG guideline. PFOA is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products, which can cause cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes.

In addition to these contaminants, the EWG also found 37 total contaminants in East Brunswick's tap water that exceeded their health guidelines in their 2021 report. These contaminants include arsenic, bromodichloromethane, chloroform, and uranium, among others. According to the EWG, legal does not necessarily equal safe, as the legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years. They recommend keeping pollution out of source water and using filters to ensure clean tap water.

The East Brunswick Water Utility is responsible for providing safe drinking water to the community and ensuring that it meets the standards established by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. They conduct daily and periodic sampling of drinking water to monitor water quality and comply with reporting requirements. However, despite these efforts, some contaminants may still be present in the water that exceed health guidelines.

East Brunswick's water utility has had non-health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act

East Brunswick's tap water is generally considered safe to drink, as the East Brunswick Water Utility has no active health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). However, from April 30, 2019, to June 30, 2022, the utility had 12 non-health-based violations of the SDWA. These violations fall under the categories of Reporting Violation, Other Violation, Monitoring and Reporting, and Consumer Confidence Rule.

The most recent non-health-based violation, which occurred during the compliance period beginning February 11, 2022, was a Reporting Violation, specifically a failure to report sample results. This falls under the Microbials rule code group and the Revised Total Coliform Rule.

While these non-health-based violations do not pose immediate health risks, it is important for water utilities to adhere to monitoring and reporting requirements to ensure the safety of drinking water.

The EPA is reviewing if its regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing whether its regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough. This comes as a response to concerns about the safety of drinking water in locations such as East Brunswick, where tests have shown the presence of harmful contaminants.

The EPA is the body responsible for setting legal limits on over 90 contaminants in drinking water in the United States. These limits are based on the levels that protect human health and that water systems can achieve using the best available technology. The EPA also sets water-testing schedules and methods that water systems must follow.

However, there have been concerns that the EPA's regulations are not strict enough to ensure the safety of drinking water. In East Brunswick, for example, a report released in October 2019 found nine total contaminants across the water supply between 2012 and 2017, two of which exceeded the guidelines set by the Environmental Working Group (EWG). These contaminants included chromium (hexavalent) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), both of which are linked to an increased risk of cancer.

The EWG has also highlighted a discrepancy between the current legal limits for contaminants and the latest scientific research on safe consumption levels. They argue that the legal limits are outdated and do not necessarily reflect the safe level of contaminants. This is particularly concerning given that the EPA has not added any new contaminants to the toxic chemicals list covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act in almost 20 years.

In response to these concerns, the EPA is reviewing whether its current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are stringent enough. This includes an assessment of the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals that have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, endocrine disruption, and immune system damage.

While East Brunswick's tap water is generally considered safe to drink, with no active health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) reported, the presence of even low levels of pollutants can still pose health risks, especially for immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals. Therefore, the EPA's review of its regulations is a crucial step towards ensuring the safety of drinking water for all.

The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of the source water

Tap water in East Brunswick, New Jersey, is generally considered safe to drink. However, it's important to take into account factors such as the presence of lead piping in older homes and low levels of pollutants that could impact immunocompromised individuals.

Understand the Source of Your Tap Water

Knowing the source of your tap water is the first step in ensuring it stays clean. East Brunswick's tap water is sourced from purchased surface water. Understanding the specific risks associated with surface water can help you identify potential contaminants and take appropriate measures to prevent pollution.

Protect the Water Source

Once you know the source of your tap water, you can implement measures to protect it from pollution. This may include:

• Implementing proper waste disposal methods: Ensure that waste is disposed of correctly and that pollutants don't enter the water source. This includes proper disposal of chemicals, oils, and other hazardous materials.
• Conserving natural habitats: Protecting and restoring natural habitats, such as wetlands and riparian zones, can act as natural filters and help prevent pollutants from entering water sources.
• Practicing sustainable agriculture: If agriculture is a potential source of pollution, promote sustainable farming practices that minimise the use of pesticides and fertilisers, which can contaminate water sources.

Regular Testing and Monitoring

Regularly testing and monitoring the quality of your tap water is essential. This helps identify any potential contaminants that may have entered the water source. Work with local authorities and community groups to ensure regular testing is conducted and that the results are transparent and accessible to the public.

Community Education and Advocacy

Educating the community about the importance of clean water and how to prevent pollution is crucial. This includes raising awareness about proper waste disposal, the impact of certain household chemicals, and the importance of sustainable practices. An informed community can take collective action to protect their water sources.

Support Stronger Regulations

Advocate for stronger regulations and enforcement to prevent pollution. This includes supporting updates to legal limits for contaminants and pushing for more frequent testing and monitoring. Contact your local officials and voice your concerns about water quality. Hold them accountable for ensuring clean and safe tap water.

By implementing these measures, you can help keep pollution out of the source water and ensure that clean tap water is accessible to everyone in the community.

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