Morris County MUA 2025 Water Quality Tables For 2024

Sodium - The MCMUA slightly exceeded the recommended Upper Limit (RUL) for sodium at one of their wells. For healthy individuals, the sodium intake from water is not important because a much greater intake of sodium takes place from salt in the diet. However, sodium levels above the RUL may be of concern to individuals on a sodium-restricted diet.

Definitions

In the “Test Results” table you may find some terms and abbreviations you might not be familiar with. To help you better understand these terms we've provided the following definitions:

• Non-Detects (ND) - laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.
• Parts per million (ppm) or Milligrams per liter (mg/l) - one part per million corresponds to one minute in two years or a single penny in $10,000.
• Parts per billion (ppb) or Micrograms per liter - one part per billion corresponds to one minute in 2,000 years, or a single penny in $10,000,000. Parts per trillion (ppt) or nanogram per liter - one part per trillion corresponds to one minute in 20,000 years, or a single penny in $100,000,000.
• Maximum Contaminant Level - The “Maximum Allowed” (MCL) is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
• Maximum Contaminant Level Goal - The “Goal” (MCLG) is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety. •Treatment Technique (TT) – A treatment technique is a required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
• Action Level (AL) – The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
• Picocuries per liter (pCi/L) – picocuries per liter is a measure of the radioactivity in water.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL) – The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG)- The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.

What are PFOA and PFOS?

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), previously referred to as perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, that are man-made and used in industrial and commercial applications. PFOA was used as a processing aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers used in non-stick cookware and other products, as well as other commercial and industrial uses based on its resistance to harsh chemicals and high temperatures. PFOS is used in metal plating and finishing as well as in various commercial products. PFOS was previously used as a major ingredient in aqueous film forming foams for firefighting and training, and PFOA and PFOS are found in consumer products such as stain resistant coatings for upholstery and carpets, water resistant outdoor clothing, and grease proof food packaging. Although the use of PFOA and PFOS has decreased substantially, contamination is expected to continue indefinitely because these substances are extremely persistent in the environment and are soluble and mobile in water. More information can be found at: https://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bears/docs/2019-4-15-FAQs_PFOS-PFOA-websites-OLA%204-24-19SDM- (003).pdf

Sources of Lead in Drinking Water

The Morris County MUA is responsible for providing high quality drinking water but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. Although most lead exposure occurs from inhaling dust or from contaminated soil, or when children eat paint chips, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may come from lead in drinking water. Infants who consume mostly mixed formula can receive 40 percent to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water. Lead is rarely found in the source of your drinking water but enters tap water through corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing materials. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipes, brass, and chrome-brass faucets, and in some cases, service lines made of or lined with lead. New brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free”, may still contain a small percentage of lead, and contribute lead to drinking water. The law currently allows end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, with up to 0.25 percent lead to be labeled as “lead free”. However, prior to January 4, 2014, “lead free” allowed up to 8 percent lead content of the wetted surfaces of plumbing products including those labeled National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified. Visit the NSF website at www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures. Consumers should be aware of this when choosing fixtures and take appropriate precautions. When water stands in lead service lines, lead pipes, or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into your drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning, or later in the afternoon if the water has not been used all day, can contain fairly high levels of lead.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water For a full list of steps visit:

For a full list of steps visit:https://www.state.nj.us/dep/watersupply/dwc-lead-consumer.html

Run the cold water to flush out lead. Let the water run from the tap before using it for drinking or cooking any time the water in the faucet has gone unused for more than six hours. The longer the water resides in plumbing the more lead it may contain. Flushing the tap means running the cold-water faucet. Let the water run from the cold-water tap based on the length of the lead service line and the plumbing configuration in your home. In other words, the larger the home or building and the greater the distance to the water main (in the street), the more water it will take to flush properly. Although toilet flushing or showering flushes water through a portion of the plumbing system, you still need to flush the water in each faucet before using it for drinking or cooking. Flushing tap water is a simple and inexpensive measure you can take to protect your health. It usually uses less than one gallon of water.

Use cold, flushed water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Because lead from lead-containing plumbing materials and pipes can dissolve into hot water more easily than cold water, never drink, cook, or prepare beverages including baby formula using hot water from the tap. If you have not had your water sampled or if you know, it is recommended that bottled or filtered water be used for drinking and preparing baby formula. If you need hot water, draw water from the cold tap and then heat it.

Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead; however, it is still safe to wash dishes and do laundry. Lead will not soak into dishware or most clothes.

Use alternative sources or treatment of water. You may want to consider purchasing bottled water or a water filter. Read the package to be sure the filter is approved to reduce lead or contact NSF International at 800-NSF-8010 or www.nsf.org for information on performance standards for water filters.

Determine if you have interior lead plumbing or solder. If your home/building was constructed prior to 1987, it is important to determine if interior lead solder or lead pipes are present. You can check yourself, hire a licensed plumber, or check with your landlord.

Replace plumbing fixtures and service lines containing lead. Replace brass faucets, fittings, and valves that do not meet the current definition of “lead free” from 2014 (as explained above). Visit the NSF website at www.nsf.org to learn more about lead-containing plumbing fixtures.

Remove and clean aerators/screens on plumbing fixtures. Over time, particles and sediment can collect in the aerator screen. Regularly remove and clean aerators screens located at the tip of faucets and remove any particles.

Test your water for lead. Please call Superintendent of Water Operator, Anthony Milonas at (973-584- 5503) to find out how to get your water tested for lead. Testing is essential because you cannot see, taste, or smell lead in drinking water.

Get your child tested. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about lead exposure. New Jersey law requires that children be tested for lead in their blood at both 1 and 2 years of age and before they are 6 years old if they have never been tested before or if they have been exposed to a known source of lead.

Have an electrician check your wiring. If grounding wires from the electrical system are attached to your pipes, corrosion may be greater. Check with a licensed electrician or your local electrical code to determine if your wiring can be grounded elsewhere. DO NOT attempt to change the wiring yourself because improper grounding can cause electrical shock and fire hazards.

Water softeners and reverse osmosis units will remove lead from water but can also make the water more corrosive to lead solder and plumbing by removing certain minerals; therefore, the installation of these treatment units at the point of entry into homes with lead plumbing should only be done under supervision of a qualified water treatment professional.

Health Effects of Lead

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development. Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead if you are concerned about lead exposure. You can find out more about how to get your child tested and how to pay for it at www.state.nj.us/health/childhoodlead/testing.shtml.

The following is a brief summary of our source water assessment performed by the NJDEP. Morris County M.U.A. is a public community water system consisting of 8 wells. This systems source water comes from the following aquifers: glacial sand and gravel, limestone. The table below illustrates the susceptibility ratings on the following potential contaminant sources that the NJDEP found within the source water assessment areas. Each source has a susceptibility rating of high, medium, or low for each potential contaminant.

If a system is rated highly susceptible for a contamination category, it does not mean a customer is or will be consuming contaminated drinking water. The rating reflects the potential for contamination of source water, not the existence of contamination. Public water systems are required to monitor for regulated contaminants and to install treatment if any contaminants are detected at frequencies and concentrations above allowable levels.

• Pathogens: Disease-causing organisms such as bacteria and viruses. Common sources are animal and human fecal wastes.
• Nutrients: Compounds, minerals and elements that aid growth, that are both naturally occurring and man-made.
• Volatile Organic Compounds: Man-made chemicals used as solvents, degreasers, and gasoline components.
• Pesticides: Man-made chemicals used to control pests, weeds, and fungus. Common sources include land application and manufacturing centers of pesticides.
• Inorganics: Mineral-based compounds that are naturally occurring and man-made.
• Radionuclides: Radioactive substances that are naturally occurring and man-made.
• Radon: Colorless, odorless, cancer-causing gas that occurs naturally in the environment.
• Disinfection Byproduct Precursors: A common source is naturally occurring organic matter in surface water. Disinfection byproducts are formed when the disinfectants (usually chlorine) used to kill pathogens react with dissolved organic material present in water.

If you have any questions regarding the source water assessment report or summary, please email the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water or call 609-292-5550.