Keansburg Water & Sewer Department

We're pleased to present this year's annual water quality report. This document provides a snapshot of last year's water quality data, including information about your water source, contents, and how it compares to EPA and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) standards.

Your water comes from three underground wells located within Keansburg Borough. These wells range from 350 to 362 feet deep and draw water from the upper portion of the Potomac-Raritan Magothy Aquifer (Old Bridge Formation). Our NJDEP Water Allocation Permit allows us to extract 327.33 million gallons annually, with a monthly limit of 52.24 million gallons.

In addition to our well water, we purchase approximately 60 million gallons yearly from NJAWC between October 1st and April 30th. This purchased water (about 280,000 gallons daily) blends with our well water at the treatment plant.

The NJDEP completed a Source Water Assessment for all New Jersey public water systems in 2004. This assessment evaluated each system's vulnerability to contamination rather than measuring actual contamination levels. Systems were rated low, medium, or high for eight contaminant categories:

• Pathogens: Disease-causing organisms from animal and human waste
• Nutrients: Growth-promoting compounds like nitrogen and phosphorus
• Volatile Organic Compounds: Man-made chemicals used in solvents and fuels
• Pesticides: Chemicals used for pest and weed control
• Inorganics: Mineral-based compounds like arsenic, copper, and lead
• Radionuclides: Radioactive materials including radium and uranium
• Radon: Naturally occurring cancer-causing gas
• Treatment By-product Precursors: Organic matter that forms by-products during disinfection

For questions about this report or your water quality, please contact Steve Assmann, Superintendent of Operations for Keansburg Water and Sewer Department at (732) 787-3903. We encourage you to attend regular Borough meetings at Borough Hall, 29 Church Street, for more information.

Our department routinely monitors for contaminants according to federal and state regulations. In 2011, we implemented a reverse osmosis desalination treatment process to address sodium, chlorides, and dissolved solids, bringing us into compliance with NJDEP standards.

All water, including bottled water, may contain small amounts of contaminants. This doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Immuno-compromised individuals, cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, elderly persons, and infants may be particularly vulnerable to water contaminants and should seek medical advice about drinking water.

What is a Cross Connection?

A cross connection occurs when a municipal water pipe connects to a contaminated source. This contamination can originate from your home. For example, if you connect your garden hose to a fertilizer sprayer and water pressure drops (perhaps due to hydrant use nearby), fertilizer could be siphoned back into your water pipes through the hose.

Installing a backflow prevention device can prevent this problem. The Department of Public Works recommends these devices for all indoor and outdoor hose connections. You can purchase an inexpensive hose bib vacuum breaker at hardware or plumbing supply stores to protect your home's water and the municipal system.

In 2017, 498 backflow preventers underwent testing, with 804 total tests performed (some devices tested multiple times as required by DEP).

Why do you flush hydrants?

We conduct hydrant flushing in late spring, with "spot" flushing throughout the year. This practice ensures water quality, clears buildup from pipes, and verifies that hydrants function properly when needed. Temporary brown water may result – simply run your tap until the water clears.