BLOOMFIELD, NJ — The City of Newark has violated a federal standard for a potentially cancer-causing contaminant in its drinking water, and Bloomfield is among the Essex County towns that may be purchasing some of their water from the same supply, a report says.
According to NJ.com, state records show that Newark’s drinking water – which comes from the Wanaque and Pequannock Water Systems – recently tested for elevated levels of haloacetic acids at eight sites in the city.
(Read the full article here) Haloacetic acids are a group of five possibly carcinogenic chemicals that are byproducts of the water disinfection process, according to the U.S. EPA.
Eight municipalities buy all or some of their water from Newark, NJ.com stated: Bloomfield, Belleville, East Orange, South Orange, Nutley, Liberty Township, Raritan and Pequannock Township.
South Orange and Raritan only purchase Newark water during "emergencies."
"The maximum acceptable levels of haloacetic acids in drinking water, according to federal standards, is 60 parts per billion.
The city is aware of the issue and is working to solve the problem, he told NJ.com.
In January, Bloomfield officials announced that the previous month, four water samples exceeded the standard, or maximum contaminant level (MCL) for haloacetic acids.
When the elevated haloacetic acid levels were found in January, Bloomfield officials reminded residents that the township receives water pre-treated from the City of Newark.
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