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2020 Consumer Confidence Report

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This document is the 2020 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for the West Caldwell Township Water Utility. The report provides information on the quality of drinking water supplied to residents and confirms that the water met or surpassed all health and safety standards set by the EPA and NJDEP in 2019. The water is purchased from the Passaic Valley Water Commission, and regular testing is conducted to ensure safety and quality.

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--- Document: 2020 Consumer Confidence Report Document ---
West Caldwell Township
Water Utility
30 Clinton Road
West Caldwell, NJ 07006

Your Tap Water Makes the
Grade For The Year 2020!
West Caldwell's Drinking Water News

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 reg-
ularly 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 Drink-
ing Water Quality Reports to customers on an annual ba-
sis. This Drinking Water Quality Report provides import-
ant 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 ser-
vice. 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 begin
at 7:15pm. All meetings are open to the public. Schedules
of the Council meetings can be obtained from the Office
of the Township Clerk or visiting the Township calendar.
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Water Quality Table
During 2019, 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)
PRIMARY
CONTAMINANTS
Compliance MCLG
Achieved
TURBIDITY AND TOTAL ORGANIC CARBON
Water Treatment Plant Result
NJDWSC
MCL
PVWC
Typical Source
Little Falls WTP
PWS ID NJ1605002
Wanaque WTP
PWS ID NJ 1613001
Highest Results
(Range of Results)
Highest Results
(Average)
Turbidity (NTU)*
Yes
NA
TT=1
Yes
NA
TT=percentage of
samples <0.3 NTU
(min 95% required)
0.34 (0.017 - 0.34) 2.1^ (0.09 average)
Lowest Monthly Percentage of Samples
Meeting the Turbidity Limits
100%
98.6%
Soil runoff.
*Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water, and is monitored as an indcator of water quality. High turbidity
can hinder the effectiveness of disinfectants.
Total Organic
Carbon, %
Yes
NA
TT= % removal;
Percent (%)
or removal ratio
Removal
Removal
Ratio
58-100
(25-50 required)
1.1 (RAA)
(1.0-1.3)
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
Barium, ppm
Yes
2
2
Fluoride, ppm
Nickel, ppb
Nitrate, ppm
Yes
4
4
NA
NA
NA
Yes
10
10
Selenium, ppb
Yes
50
Highest Result (Range of Results)
Less than 0.10
0.050 (ND - 0.050)
2.53 (ND-2.53)
2.81
(ND - 2.81)
50
Less than 2
Naturally present
in the environment.
Discharge of drilling wastes;
discharge from metal refineries;
erosion of natural deposits.
Erosion of natural deposits.
Erosion of natural deposits.
0.0069
ND
ND
0.155
ND
Runoff from fertilizer use;
leaching from septic tanks, sewage;
erosion of natural deposits.
Discharge from petroleum and
metal refineries; erosion of natural
deposits; discharge from mines.
^ NJDWSC incurred a Combined Filter Effluent Turbidity violation in May 2019. There is nothing you need to do. You weren't being supplied with water from NJWSC at the time of the turbidity violation. Turbidity
has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease-causing organisms. These organisms include
bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.
MCLG
MCL
Typical Source
PRIMARY
Compliance
CONTAMINANTS
Achieved
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS
Total Coliform Bacteria (%) Yes
0
5% of monthly
0
Fecal Coliform or E.coli
Yes
0
samples are positive.
0
0
Distribution Systems Samples
Naturally present in the environment.
Human and animal fecal waste.
Bacteria (#)
DISINFECTION BYPRODUCTS
Highest LRAA
Haloacetic Acids
Yes
NA
60
25.24 (Range 13.60 - 53.90)
By-product of drinking water disinfection.
(HAA5) (ppb)
Total Trihalomethanes
Yes
NA
80
49.63 (Range 22.40-99.50)
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
Chlorine (ppm)
LEAD AND COPPER
Copper (ppm)
Yes MRDLG=4
MRDL=4
Yes
MCLG
1.3
Action Level
1.3
DETECTED UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS - UCMR3 DATA
Lead (ppb)
Yes
0
15
Highest Result
2.10
90th Percentile
0.2046
10.55
Water additive used to control microbes.
Corrosion of household plumbing
systems; Erosion of natural deposits;
Leaching from wood perseveratives.
Corrosion of household plumbing
systems; Erosion of natural deposits.
ADDITIONAL PVWC TREATMENT PLAN MONITORING RESULTS
Detected Contaminants, ppb
Chlorate
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)
1.4 - Diozane
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)
Little Falls WTP Effluent
Average (Range)
(35-413)
(ND - 0.0021)
(ND - 0.0027)
(ND - 0.0029)
(ND - 0.0054)
(ND -0.09)
(ND - 0.0086)
(0.0039-0.010)
Health advisory levels are non-enforceable and non-regulatory and provide technical information
to state agencies and other public health officials on health effects, analytical methodologies,
and treatment technologies associated with drinking water contamination.
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Test results presented in thie table were collected in 2019 as part of a study to
determine the general occurrence of these contaminants. PVWC continues
to participate in and support these types of regulatory and research efforts to
maintain a position of leadership in drinking water supply.
There are currently no EPA drinking water standards in effect for these
contaminants although EPA has established health advisory levels for some of
these to provide an estimate of acceptable drinking water levels based on health
effects information.
EPA has published Health Advisory levels for Perfluorooctanoic acid, (PFOA) and
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, (PFOS), of 0.070 parts per billion (ppb) combined.
The results observed in 2019 were below EPA established health advisory
levels.
NJDEP adopted a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 0.013 parts per billion
(ppb) for Perflouorononanoic acid (PFNA) in September 2018 and is considering a
maximum contaminant level of 0.014 ppb for PFOA.
Waiver Information
The Safe Drinking Water Act regulations allow monitoring waivers to reduce or eliminate the monitoring requirements for asbestos, volatile organic
chemicals, and synthetic organic chemicals. NJDWSC was granted a monitoring waiver for synthetic organic chemicals for the 2017-2019 monitoring
period by NJDEP. PVWC received a monitoring waiver for all of the synthetic organic contaminants except for the contaminannt Di(2-Ethylhexyl)
Phthalate for the 2017-2019 monitoring period.
Source Water Assessments
NJDEP has prepared Source Water Assessment reports and summaries for all public water systems. The Source Water Assessment for the PVWC system
(PWS ID NJ 1605002), and NJDWSC system (PWS ID 1613001) can be obtained by accessing NJDEP's source water assessment web site at http://
www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/swap/index.html 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 a source water, not the existence of contamination. Public water systems are required to monitor for regulated contaminants and
to install treatment if any of those contaminants are detected at frequencies and concentrations above allowable levels. The source water assessments
performed on the intakes for each system list the following susceptibility ratings for a variety of contaminants that may be present in source waters:
INTAKE SUSCEPTIBILITY RATINGS
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
SECONDARY PARAMETERS - TREATMENT PLANT EFFLUENT
PVWC
Little Falls WTP
NJDWSC
Key
Wanaque WTP
AL
Action Level
PWSID NJ1605002
PWSID NJ1613001
N.J.Recommended
CU
Color Unit
Contaminant
Upper Limit (RUL) Range of Results UL Achieved
Result
RUL Achieved
MCL
Maximum Contaminant Level
AB/LAS, ppb
500
ND-60
Yes
ND
Yes
MCLG Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
Alkalinity, ppm
NA
28-80
NA
40
NA
NA
Aluminum, ppb
200
20-42
Yes
28
Yes
Not Applicable
Chloride, ppm
250
48-161
Yes
44
Yes
ND
Not Detected
Color. CU
10
Less then 5
Yes
2
Yes
ppb
Parts Per Billion - The equivalent of 1
Corrosivity
Non-Corrosive
Non-Corrosive
Yes
Non-Corrosive
Yes
second in 32 years
Hardness (as CaCO3), ppm
250
58-172
Yes
43
Yes
ppm
Parts Per Million - The equivalent of 1
Hardness (as CaCO3),
grains/gallon
15
3-10
Yes
3
Yes
second in 12 days
pCi/L Picocuries per liter - The equivalent
Iron, ppb
300
Less than 100
Yes
17
Yes
of 1 second in 32 million years
Manganese, ppb
50
ND - 211
No
18
Yes
NTU
Odor, TON
3
2-9
No
ND
Yes
Nephleometric Trubidity Unit
6.5 to 8.5
ΤΟΝ
Threshold Odor Number
pH
8.1-8.4
Yes
8.09
Yes
(optimum range)
TT
Treatment Technique
Sodium, ppm
50
28-115
No*
23
Yes
RAA
Running Annual Average
Sulfate, ppm
250
9-82
Yes
6
Yes
LRAA Locational Running Annual Average
Total Dissolved Solids, ppm
500
190-561
No
118
Yes
RUL
Recommended Upper Limit
Zinc, ppb
5,000
Less than 40
Yes
10
Yes
*PVWCS FINISHED WATER EXCEEDS SODIUM RUL
PVWCs finished water was above New Jersey's Recommended Upper Limit (RUL) of 50 ppm for sodium in 2019. 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.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium is a microbial pathogen found in surface water throughout the United States. Although filtration removes Cryptosporidium, the most
comonly-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 organisms 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 conducted special source water Cryptosporidium and Giardia monitoring in 2019. The data collected in 2019 is presented in the table below.
SOURCE WATER PATHOGEN MONITORING
Contaminant PVWC Plant Intake Typical Source
Cryptosporidium,
Oocysts/L
Giardia, Cysts/L
Oocysts/L
UNREGULATED CONTAMINANTS FOR WHICH EPA REQUIRES MONITORING
Contaminant
0-0.57
Microbial pathogens found in
surface waters throughout
Bromide, ppb
0-1.23
the United States
Total Organic Carbon, mg/L
Manganese
PVWC Plant Intake
Typical Source
Average (Range of Results) Average (Range of Results)
44 (33-69)
6 (4-7)
8 (2-14)
Unregulated contaminants are those for which EPA requires monitoring but has not established drinking water standards. The purpose of unregulated contaminant monitoring is to
assist EPA in determining the occurrence of unregulated contaminants in drinking water and whether future regulation is warranted.
3
Does West Caldwell Test for Asbestos?
Under a waiver issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (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.
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 Environmental Protection Agency 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
primarily 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.
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.
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