UPPER TOWNSHIP — The Department of Environmental Protection will provide an update next week on mercury contamination in area wells in a community where residents fear the problem may be more widespread.
Mayor Jay Newman confirmed in a letter over the weekend that a representative from the DEP would be participating via Zoom during the Township Committee meeting, set to begin at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at Township Hall.
“The recent findings of mercury levels in wells in the Beesleys Point area are a concern to us all. Upper Township officials are working every contact, every avenue and every possibility to bring comfort and direction to resolve this issue,” Mayor Jay Newman stated in an email.
Testing of wells along Bayaire Road has showed concentrations as high as 13,000 micrograms per liter. The maximum for safe use is 2 mpl.
Township resident Annmarie Benson expressed her concerns in an email to the Upper Township Sentinel.
“After a month of the township being aware of the contamination, the majority of the residents here are unaware of how the contamination affects them,” Benson stated. “The mercury has been identified in random as well as clustered spots throughout Marmora and Beesleys Point.
The mayor stated the township has received information about other areas of concern and is waiting for confirmation from the DEP.
“If found to be verified positive for contaminants, we will act immediately with the NJDEP’s Immediate Concern Unit,” Newman stated.
He cited a letter from the DEP.
“DEP is actively working on conducting confirmatory sampling of the wells previously sampled and sampling wells in the area that have not been previously sampled. We will provide you with updates as information becomes available in addition to providing an update at the Oct. 28 meeting,” the letter to the township stated.
Last week, contractors began installing point-of-entry treatment systems at homes along Bayaire Road.
“The township is verifying that the installed filtration systems are functioning properly, and township officials are going door to door at the request of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to notify residents that the DEP will be testing our neighborhoods,” the mayor stated.
Officials encourage residents to hire professionals for independent testing, noting if results are positive for contaminants, the DEP would reimburse the costs.
“The results may be troubling, but you will know either way, and we will work together for a solution,” Newman stated.
The mayor stated both the elementary and primary schools are connected to the public water system and have been unaffected.
“The Upper Township School District has assured us that they too are testing any of the agricultural well systems for contamination,” Newman stated.
He said the township is exploring grants and other funding sources for long-term and permanent remediation, as well as public water system connection options.
“Clean and safe drinking water is the goal,” Newman stated, noting he lives near Bayaire Road. “All of the Upper Township Committee either have children, family or friends who live, work or play in these areas.”
Benson stated there has been a lack of leadership on the issue, even going as far as alluding to a cover-up.
“I am utterly disappointed and, quite frankly, afraid of what they haven’t said, what they haven’t done and how their slow-footedness and secrecy impacts our health and well being in a life-altering way,” she stated.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
