As Sampling Continues to Show No Detections of Chemical Spill, New Jersey American Water Resumes Normal Operations at Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant
Update as of March 29, 2023
After more than four days of multiple agencies monitoring the Delaware River, with no detections of the chemical that was spilled from a manufacturing plant in Bristol, Pa., New Jersey American Water is resuming regular operations at its Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant.
New Jersey American Water’s regular operating protocol includes monitoring the source water and performing water quality tests during the treatment process and throughout its distribution systems to help ensure the continued delivery of safe drinking water that meets or surpasses state and federal standards.
“With no detections of the chemical from any of the test results from our samples, or the samples taken by the state and federal agencies or other water purveyors, we are confident that any potential compromise of water quality in the river has passed, and we can resume our standard operations,” stated Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water.
McDonough added, “We are grateful for the assistance of the US Coast Guard, the Pennsylvania DEP, the New Jersey DEP and our fellow water providers with whom we share access to the Delaware River for their collaboration and partnership. We also thank our customers and government officials in the communities we serve in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties for their cooperation during this time.”
Update as of March 28, 2023
New Jersey American Water continues to reassure its customers that treated water from its Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant is not impacted by the chemical spill that occurred early Saturday morning from a manufacturing plant into a tributary of the river in Bristol, Pa. Additionally the company is now lifting the voluntary conservation order that was put into place on Sunday evening for its customers in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.
New Jersey American Water is monitoring the source water and performing water quality tests at various points in the treatment process and throughout the distribution system. The treated drinking water being delivered to customers in the three counties served by the Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant has not been impacted.
The voluntary conservation notice for customers is being lifted because the company is able to replenish its source water supply more frequently as the threat of contamination continues to diminish.
“As more time passes and all river samples continue to show no detection of contaminant, we are more confident in drawing source water as needed to replenish our reserves,” stated Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water. “We will continue to monitor and test the source water by our intakes to ensure it is appropriate for us to take in.”
McDonough added that state and federal agencies, and other water purveyors are also still testing the river, including the area around the plant’s intakes. No contaminants have been detected.
Customers are being notified that the voluntary conservation notice is being lifted through the company’s customer notification system. Updates will continue to be posted as they become available on the website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Alerts, and on the company’s social media channels, @njamwater.
Update as of March 27, 2023
New Jersey American Water continues to reassure its customers that treated water from its Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant is not impacted by the chemical spill that occurred early Saturday morning from a manufacturing plant into a tributary of the river in Bristol, Pa.
New Jersey American Water is monitoring the source water and performing water quality tests at various points in the treatment process and throughout the distribution system. The treated drinking water being delivered to customers in the three counties served by the Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant has not been impacted.
The voluntary conservation notice is still in effect and the company continues to ask customers in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties to limit non-essential water use until further notice.
“The reason we did this is to provide flexibility around the timing and the quantity of water we bring into the facility to treat and deliver,” stated Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water. “We have the ability to store large amounts of raw and treated water, and we are continuously monitoring and testing the source water in the river by our intakes before taking in more water to replenish supplies.”
McDonough added that state and federal agencies, and other water purveyors are also testing the river, including the area around the plant’s intakes. No contaminants have been detected.
“We appreciate the cooperation of our customers during this time,” said McDonough.
Customers were notified of this voluntary conservation notice yesterday through the company’s customer notification system. The company will issue a follow up communication when this notice is lifted. Updates will also be posted as they become available on the website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Alerts, and on the company’s social media channels, @njamwater. For more information and tips on how to conserve water, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com.
Update as of March 26, 2023
New Jersey American Water wants to reassure its customers that treated water from its Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant is not impacted by the chemical spill that occurred early Saturday morning from a manufacturing plant into a tributary of the river in Bristol, Pa.
New Jersey American Water is monitoring the source water and performing water quality tests at various points in the treatment process and throughout the distribution system. At this time the company has determined that the spill has not impacted the treated drinking water being delivered to customers in the three counties served by the Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant.
“We continue to monitor the quality of the Delaware River and have activated our business continuity plans to continue to provide safe, reliable service to customers in this three-county region,” said Mark McDonough, President of New Jersey American Water. “We’re asking customers to voluntarily reduce their unnecessary water usage for the next 24 to 48 hours to help us in our ability to maintain optimal operations and a plentiful supply for the region.”
The company is also issuing a voluntary water conservation notice for customers in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. Customers in these counties are being asked to limit their non-essential water use until further notice. The company is issuing this notice to help ensure the optimal operation of its Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant.
Customers are being notified of this voluntary conservation notice through the company’s customer notification system. The company will issue a follow up communication when this notice is lifted. Updates will also be posted as they become available on the website at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Alerts, and on the company’s social media channels, @njamwater. For more information and tips on how to conserve water, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com.
Update as of March 25, 2023
New Jersey American Water President Mark McDonough issued the following statement today regarding a chemical spill in a tributary of the Delaware River near Bristol, Pa.:
“New Jersey American Water is monitoring the water quality of the Delaware River following a chemical release that occurred early this morning from a manufacturing plant into a tributary of the river in Bristol, Pa. The company is maintaining regular communication with state and federal agencies regarding the situation.
“New Jersey American Water monitors the source water and performs water quality tests during the treatment process and throughout our distribution systems as part of the company’s daily water quality protocol and business continuity plan. At this time there is no impact to the source water outside of the company’s Delaware River Regional Water Treatment Plant.
“The health and safety of our customers is our top priority. We will continue to monitor the source water and provide updates if we receive additional information or there are any developments.”