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2016 Consumer Confidence Report

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This document is the 2016 Consumer Confidence Report for the West Caldwell Township Water Utility. It details the water quality for the year 2015, confirming that the water met or surpassed all safety standards set by the EPA and NJDEP. The report includes information about water sources, detected substances, and potential contaminants, as well as contact information for inquiries.

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--- Document: 2016 Consumer Confidence Report Document ---
West Caldwell Township
Water Utility
30 Clinton Road
West Caldwell, NJ  07006
PWS ID NJ0721001
Water is an important element in our lives. Did you
know that water makes up 65% of our bodies?
And health experts recommend that we drink eight
glasses of water a day? Safe, clean water is
essential to our wellbeing. That's why we want you
to know that our water meets – and often surpasses
– all health and safety standards set by the United
States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection (NJDEP). The West Caldwell Water
Utility is dedicated to providing you and your
family with water that is safe and healthful.
The West Caldwell Water Utility purchases our water from
the Passaic Valley Water Commission. Last year, West
Caldwell and the Passaic Valley Water Commission
regularly collected and tested water samples to assure your
water met all safety standards; and we're proud to let you
know that it did. All the test results are on file with the
NJDEP, the agency that monitors and regulates drinking
water quality in our State. In all cases, our water was as
good as – or better than – the government requirements.
The EPA and NJDEP establish drinking water regulations.
They also require water suppliers to make available
Drinking Water Quality Reports to customers on an annual
basis. This Drinking Water Quality Report provides
important information about your drinking water. Please
read it carefully, and feel free to call us at (973) 226-2300
if you have any questions about your water or your water
service. Or, you can call the EPA Safe Drinking Water
Hotline at (800) 426-4791. In addition, you may attend the
West Caldwell Township Council Public Meeting, which
is held the third Tuesday of each month at 7:15 p.m., Town
Hall, 30 Clinton Road, West Caldwell.
Your Tap Water Makes the
Grade For The Year 2016!
West Caldwell's Drinking Water News
1


Water Quality Table
During 2015, your water met or surpassed all standards for safety.
The water quality table shows how the quality of your drinking water compares to the standards set by the EPA and the NJDEP, as outlined
in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). When standards differed the more stringent standard was used for the MCL.
SDWA Primary Standards (Directly related to the safety of drinking water)                                  
                                                                      Water Treatment Plant Result
PRIMARy
Compliance  MCLG           MCL
PVWC
NJDWSC                    Typical Source
CONTAMINANTS
Achieved                                              Little Falls WTP
Wanaque WTP
                                                                 PWS ID NJ1605002 PWS ID NJ1613001 
                      
Highest Result        Highest Result
TURBIDITY AND TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON
(Range of Results)         (Average) 
Turbidity (NTU)
Yes
NA
TT=1
0.53 (0.02 - 0.53)
0.28 (0.11)
Soil runoff.
Yes
NA
TT=percentage of
samples <0.3 NTU
99.97% 
100%
 (min 95% required)
Total Organic 
Yes
NA
TT= % removal;
Percent (%)
Removal
Carbon, %
or removal ratio
Removal
Ratio
46 - 72
1.0 (RAA)
Naturally present
(25 - 45 required)
(0.94 - 1.0)
in the environment.
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Highest Result (Range of Results) 
Barium, ppm
Yes
2
2
0.027 
0.013
Discharge of drilling wastes; 
(0.016 - 0.027)
discharge from metal refineries; 
 
erosion of natural deposits. 
Chromium, ppb
Yes
100
100
0.57 
ND
Discharge from steel and pulp
(ND - 0.57)
mills; erosion of natural deposits.
Fluoride, ppm
Yes
4
4
0.09 (ND - 0.09)
ND
Erosion of natural deposits. 
Nickel, ppb
NA
NA
NA
1.98 (1.63 - 1.98)
ND
Erosion of natural deposits.
Nitrate, ppm
Yes
10
10
3.7 
0.503
Runoff from fertilizer use;
(0.89 - 3.7)
Leaching from septic tanks, 
sewage; Erosion of natural deposits.
Selenium, ppb
Yes
50
50
0.69 
ND
Discharge from petroleum and
(ND - 0.69)
metal refineries; Erosion of natural
deposits. Discharge from mines.
PRIMARy
Compliance  MCLG           MCL                  Distribution Systems Samples                Typical Source
CONTAMINANTS
Achieved
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS
Total Coliform Bacteria (%) Yes
0
5% of monthly 
0
Naturally present in the environment.
samples are positive.
Fecal Coliform or E.coli
Yes
0
0
0
Human and animal fecal waste.
Bacteria (#)
DISINFECTION ByPRODUCTS
Haloacetic Acids 
Yes
NA
60
By-product of drinking water disinfection.
(HAA5) (ppb)
Total Trihalomethanes
Yes
NA
80
By-product of drinking water disinfection.
(TTHM) (ppb)
Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys or
central nervous system and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.
DISINFECTANTS
                                                                 
Highest Result
Chlorine (ppm)
Yes
MRDLG=4
MRDL=4
1.98
Water additive used to control microbes.
LEAD AND COPPER
                      MCLG      Action Level
90th Percentile
Copper (ppm)
Yes
1.3
1.3
0.207
Corrosion of household plumbing
systems; Erosion of natural deposits;
Leaching from wood perseveratives.
Lead (ppb)
Yes
0
15
7.49
Corrosion of household plumbing
systems; Erosion of natural deposits.
Little Falls WTP Effluent
Contaminant
Average (Range)
Chlorate, ppb
174 (88 - 373)
2
Highest LRAA
26.98 (Range 21.20 - 31.76)
64.5 (Range 50.4 - 83.5)
DETECTED UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS - UCMR3 DATA
ADDITIONAL PVWC TREATMENT PLAN MONITORING RESULTS
Test results presented in this table were collected in 2015 as part of a study to determine the general
occurrence of chlorate. Currently, there is no drinking water standard for chlorate to compare the
results to and thus they are presented for informational purpose only. PVWC continues to participate
in and support these types of regulatory and research efforts to maintain a position of leadership in
drinking water supply.


Source Water Assessments
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has prepared Source Water Assessment reports and summaries for all public water systems.
The Source Water Assessment, and related questions, for the West Caldwell System (PWS ID NJ 0721001), the PVWC system (PWS ID NJ 1605002), as well as
the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission (PWS ID NJ 1613001), can be obtained by logging onto NJDEP’s source water assessment Web site at
www.state.nj.us/dep/swap or by contacting NJDEP’s Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at 609-292-5550. If a system is rated highly susceptible for a contamination
category, it does not mean a customer is – or will be – consuming contaminated 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. The source water assessments performed on the intakes for each system lists the following susceptibility
ratings as indicated in the tables below. Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
3
INTAKE
Pathogens
Nutrients
Pesticides
Volatile
Organic
Compounds
Inorganic
Contaminants
Radionuclides
Radon
Disinfection
Byproduct
Precursors
PVWC
4 Surface Water
4 - High
4 - High
1 - Medium 
3 - Low
4 - Medium
4 - High
4 - Low
4 - Low
4 - High
NJDWSC
5 Surface Water
5 - High
5 - High
2 - Medium
3 - Low
5 - Medium
5 - High
5 - Low
5 - Low
5 - High
INTAKE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATINGS
SOURCE WATER PATHOGEN MONITORING
SECONDARY PARAMETERS - TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT
*PVWCs FINISHED WATER EXCEEDS SODIUM RUL
PVWCs finished water was above New Jersey’s Recommended Upper Limit (RUL) of 50 ppm for sodium in 2015. Possible sources of sodium include natural
soil runoff, roadway salt runoff, upstream wastewater treatment plants, and a contribution coming from chemicals used in the water treatment process. 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 recommended upper limit may be a concern to individuals on a sodium-restricted diet. If you have any concerns, please contact your health care
provider.
Health Note
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno- compromised persons, such as persons
with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders,
some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care
providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infections by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are
available from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.
Contaminant
N.J. Recommended
Upper Limit (RUL)
PVWC
Little Falls WTP
PWSID NJ1605002
NJDWSC
Wanaque WTP
PWSID NJ1613001
Range of Results RUL Achieved
Result
RUL Achieved
ABS/LAS, ppb
500
ND - 110
Yes
70
Yes
Alkalinity, ppm
NA
45 - 66
NA
41
NA
Aluminum, ppb
200
11 - 27
Yes
50
Yes
Chloride, ppm
250
124 - 188
Yes
80
Yes
Color, CU
10
ND
Yes
1
Yes
Corrosivity
Non-Corrosive
Non-Corrosive
Yes
Non-Corrosive
Yes
Hardness (as CaCO3), ppm
250
108 - 142
Yes
72
Yes
Hardness (as CaCO3),
grains/gallon
15
6 - 8
Yes
4
Yes
Iron, ppb
300
ND
Yes
7
Yes
Manganese, ppb
50
3 - 8
Yes
ND
Yes
Odor, TON
3
4 - 14
No
ND
Yes
pH (optimum range)
6.5 to 8.5
7.99 - 8.15
Yes
8.34
Yes
Sodium, ppm
50
75 - 281
No*
47
Yes
Sulfate, ppm
250
43 - 89
Yes
11
Yes
Total Dissolved Solids, ppm
500
321 - 450
Yes
159
Yes
Zinc, ppb
5,000
2 - 5
Yes
ND
Yes
Key
AL
Action Level
CU
Color Unit
MCL
Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
NA
Not Applicable
ND
Not Detected
ppb
Parts Per Billion - The equivalent of 1
second in 32 years
ppm
Parts Per Million - The equivalent of 1
second in 12 days
pCi/L
Picocuries per liter - The equivalent 
of 1 second in 32 million years
NTU
Nephleometric Trubidity Unit
TON
Threshold Odor Number
TT
Treatment Technique
RAA
Running Annual Average
LRAA
Locational Running Annual Average
RUL
Recommended Upper Limit
CRYPTOSPORIDIUM
Cryptoporticus is a microbial pathogen found in surface water throughout the United States. Although filtration removes Cryptosporidium, the most commonly-
used filtration methods cannot guarantee 100 percent removal. Our monitoring indicates the presence of these organisms in our source water. Current test methods
do not allow us to determine if the organism are viable or capable of causing disease. Ingestion of Cryptosporidium may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal
infection. Symptoms of infection include, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy individuals can overcome the disease within a few weeks.
However, immuno-compromised people, infants and small children, and the elderly are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness. We encourage
immuno-compromised individuals to consult their doctor regarding appropriate precautions to take to avoid infection. Cryptosporidium must be ingested to cause
disease, and it may spread through means other than drinking water.
PVWC and NJDWSC started the second round of source water monitoring in accordance with the requirements of EPA’s Long Term2 Enhanced Surface Water
Treatment Rule. This monitoring will continue through the spring of 2017. The data collected in 2015 for both water systems is presented in the Source Water
Pathogen Monitoring table below.
PVWC Sourcewaters
Contaminant
Passaic River
Popmton River
Cryptosporidium,
Oocysts/L
Giardia, Cysts/L
NJDWSC
Sourcewater
Typical Source
0 - 0.372
0 - 0.78
ND
0 - 0.372
0 - 0.744
0 - 0.1
Microbial pathogens found in surface water 
throughout the United States.


Detected Substances
Your water was tested for more than 178 substances.  As you can see from our water quality tables on the proceeding page, the amounts we found were
less than the amounts allowed by the EPA.  Listed below is information that may be of special interest to our customers.
Lead
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is pri-
marily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. West Caldwell is responsible for providing high quality
drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can
minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are
concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water is available from the Safe Drinking
Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
What About Bottled Water?
Typically, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells.  As water
travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can
pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
•
Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which
may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,
agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife.
•
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can
be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff,
industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas
production, mining, or farming.
•
Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of
sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and
residential uses.
•
Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and
volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial
processes and petroleum production, and can also come from
gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
•
Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring
or be the result of oil and gas production, and mining activities.
4
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by
public water systems. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same
protection for public health.
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of
contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be
obtained by calling the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.
So, what's the bottom line? If bottled and tap water meet the Federal standards, they are both safe to drink. However, your tap water costs less than one
penny per gallon and is substantially less expensive than bottled water. Additionally, tap water is always available in your own home.
Does West Caldwell Test for Asbestos?
Under a waiver issued by the State (NJDEP), the Township of West Caldwell does not have to monitor for asbestos because the State has determined that West
Caldwell's system is not considered susceptible to asbestos contamination. The State has determined that monitoring and testing for asbestos is not required at
this time.
A Sure Safe Supply
The Township of West Caldwell bulk purchases our water from the Passaic Valley Water Commission. Passaic Valley Water Commission’s (PVWC) Little Falls
Water Treatment Plant treats surface water diverted from the Passaic and Pompton rivers, or Point View Reservoir. Treated water is then blended with treated
water obtained from the North Jersey District Water Supply Commission’s (NJDWSC) Treatment Plant. Water is then pumped through underground pipes to
West Caldwell. Emergency interconnections with other water purveyors exist throughout the distribution system. The Township of West Caldwell Water Department
is committed to providing to our customers a safe, sure supply of water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
DEFINITIONS of TERMS and ACRONYMS
ABS/LAS - Alkylbenzene Sulfonate and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (surfactants).
Disinfection By-product Precursors - A common source is naturally-occurring organic material in surface water. Disinfection by-products are formed
when the disinfectants (usually chlorine) used to kill pathogens react with dissolved organic material (DBP precursors) present in surface water.
Location Running Annual Average (LRAA) - The annual average taken from the present month going back twelve months for a
specific location.
MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level; the highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the
addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
MRDLG - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal; 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.
Primary Standards - Federal drinking water regulations for substances that are health-related. Water suppliers must meet all primary drinking water
standards.
PWS ID - Public Water System identification.
Radioactive Contaminants/Radionuclides - Radioactive substances that are both naturally occurring and man-made may be present in source water
naturally or as a result of oil and gas production and mining activities. Examples include radium, radon and uranium.
Radon - Colorless, odorless, cancer-causing gas that occurs naturally in the environment.
RUL Achieved - A “YES” entry indicates the State-recommended upper limit was not exceeded. A “NO” entry indicates that State-recommended upper
limit was exceeded.
Running Annual Average (RAA) - The annual average taken from the present month going back twelve months.
Secondary Standards - Federal drinking water measurements for substances that do not have an impact on health. These reflect aesthetic qualities such
as taste, odor, and appearance. Secondary standards are recommendations, not mandates.