Q: I read that the State reported that the Parkway Well Field was linked to cancer. Is that true?
A: The study does not conclude that there is a direct association between our water and childhood cancer. The water provided by United Water Toms River has always met and continues to meet all state and federal drinking water quality standards established by the Safe Drinking Water Act. It is some of the most tested water in the nation. Even the state health commissioner, George DiFerdinando, stressed at a recent press conference that “it’s safe to drink their water in Toms River.” The state’s study discussed findings that supported a theory that Parkway Well water was a risk factor for prenatal exposure from 1982 to 1995 but that no single factor evaluated appears to be solely responsible for elevation in childhood cancer. To learn more about water quality in Toms River, we invite customers to read the “Consumer Confidence Report 2000.” Customers with questions about drinking water quality standards should contact the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at 609 292 5550.

Q: I have a young child at home. Are there precautions I should be taking?
A: There’s no need to take extra precautions. Our water quality experts are working very hard to ensure the safety of the supply.

Q: Should I be drinking bottled water or purchase a home filtration system?
A: Drinking bottled water or purchasing a home filtration system is a personal choice. The sources of drinking water, both tap and bottled, are the same. They both come from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. The Environmental Protection Agency prescribes regulations that govern public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration governs bottled water. Both authorities must provide the same protection for public health. If bottled and tap water meet the federal standards, they are both safe to drink. Some customers buy bottled water for aesthetic reasons — that is, they prefer the taste of bottled water, or don’t want to smell the chlorine used in the treatment process. Customers can easily reduce the taste of chlorine by setting aside a pitcher of tap water in their refrigerator overnight which allows the smell to dissipate. Some customers prefer to purchase filtration systems not only for aesthetics, but to reassure themselves of their tap water’s quality even though it meets state and federal standards for drinking water safety. Home filtration systems, when properly maintained, produce ultra-purified water. They also remove dissolved minerals in the water that give it a “flavor” specific to the region in which they live. Customers who choose to install a filtration device in their homes should be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to properly maintain the system.

Q: If United Water didn’t think they were liable, then why did the company settle out of court on a recent cancer related suit?
A: Settlement is often the best course of action. Since litigation is expensive (and monies can be better used elsewhere) it is often best to settle a matter, regardless of whether there was any fault. The settlement concluded more than three years of dialogue and information sharing between the parties. It was achieved without resort to litigation or admission of any liability on the part of the companies. All the parties expressed satisfaction with the settlement terms and believe the settlement will bring a measure of closure to the families so that they may pursue their lives without the distraction or burden of litigation. To see complete joint statement, visit our News Room.

Q: What’s United Water doing about the Parkway Well Field and about wells #26 and #28? Why don’t you just shut the well field down?
A: All the wells in the Parkway Well Field, including #26 and #28, meet state and federal drinking water standards established by the Safe Drinking Water Act. To address the concerns of our customers though and in accordance with state and federal directives, we apply a special treatment on wells #26 and #28 and then run that water back to the ground unless it's needed during peak customer demand. We have requested that the state DEP condemn these wells to offset our customers' concerns. However, based on the fact that these wells do, in fact, meet all current state and federal regulations, the state has refused to condemn use of the wells. They remain available for use on an emergent basis.

Nonetheless, and to further address the concerns of our customers, United Water has developed an alternative supply plan to replace the shallow wells of the Parkway Well Field. However, United Water does not feel as though its customers should have to incur the expense of implementing this plan and is presently working with state and federal officials in an attempt to get funding for the project.

Q: What substances have been found in Toms River’s water?
A: There are 29 wells in the United Water Toms River’s system. All are regularly and routinely tested according to USEPA and NJDEP requirements. While 26 wells show substances well within the regulatory standards, three wells have substances that may be of concern.
• Wells #26 and #28 in the Parkway Well Field have had elevated levels of SAN Trimer, an unregulated byproduct associated with plastics. Testing is being conducted on the SAN Trimer, but it is not currently known to be dangerous. Nevertheless, we are removing trimer from the water at those wells and, after treatment, no trimer is being detected.
• Well #20 draws from the Cohansey/Kirkwood Aquifer, which is used by many water systems in Southern New Jersey. This aquifer has radionuclide activity. Because of this, we have carefully tested our water and it was found to be safe and in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Q: What is trimer and what is United Water doing about it?
A:
• Trimer is a by-product of acrylonitrile and styrene which are combined to form plastic (writing pens for example).
• Trimer is semi-volatile which means it partially evaporates in air.
• Trimer is unregulated which means there are no government standards for safe levels for consumption.
• United Water is treating water from Wells #26 and #28 to remove the trimer. After treatment, no trimer is detected. The best available lab can detect trimer in water in concentrations as small as 0.012 parts per billion.
• United Water is participating with various regulatory agencies to test the toxicity of trimer. Water from these wells is only used during peak demand. The results of these tests won’t be available for some time.

Q: How’s United Water going to protect the water supply in the future?
A: We’ll continue to be vigilant in taking steps to protect our sources with a comprehensive monitoring program. We also support the State's recommendations for continued study and investigation of this matter and will be glad to assist in any way possible as we have been doing so up to this point.

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United Water Resources