NJAW Notification (updated 12/24 at 9:45am)
Please see linked below the updated precautionary alert issued by New Jersey American Water (NJAW). which provides a portion of the water used in Hopewell Borough.
Should you experience discoloration and/or odor, please follow the directions found in the notification. As of Sunday December 22, NJAW has reported that after additional testing, there are currently no drinking water advisories in place for customers as the water meets state and federal standards.
In an additional statement updated late Monday 12/23, NJAW has again confirmed that the water meets all standards, and NJ DEP has confirmed there is no risk to public health. From the updated statement:
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection attributed these changes to a leak that occurred on Dec. 16 from a repackaging facility in Branchburg, N.J. into a tributary of the Raritan River. The facility repackages fragrances, essential oils, and flavorings.
According to the NJ DEP, the material of the leak consisted of compounds that are commonly used as fragrance and food additives. Due to the fragrant nature of the compound, it can be smelled at minute concentrations measured in parts per trillion. Though detection levels of the compound are infinitesimal, customers may continue to notice the taste and odor over the next several days.
The Borough receives approximately 40% of its drinking water from NJAW. This water is then blended with water from Well #4, unaffected by the alert.
