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Required Lead Sampling is Complete and Camden Water Meets Standards

CAMDEN, N.J. (October 16, 2020) – Today New Jersey American Water announced it has completed its required lead and copper sampling for 2020 and all systems tested meet state water quality regulations. The company tested 13 water systems that are required to be tested between June and September, including its system in Camden’s Cramer Hill section and the 11th & 12th wards, and all results show compliance with safe drinking water guidelines for lead and copper. The rest of the city’s system was tested in 2018, in accordance with NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations, and it is also in compliance.

The City’s water is divided into two systems: New Jersey American Water owns and operates the water system in East Camden/Cramer Hill, which serves about one-third of the city’s residents, and American Water Contract Services operates and maintains the city’s water system through a contract with the City of Camden’s Department of Public Works, which serves about two-thirds of the city’s residents, as well as all of the city’s wastewater customers. Both water systems meet or surpass all water quality regulations, including those related to lead and copper.

“Both New Jersey American Water and American Water Contract Services in Camden routinely test and monitor the drinking water leaving the treatment facilities and at different distribution points through the system – and we provide corrosion control treatment where needed – and these specific lead and copper testing results show our treatment processes are working,” said Cheryl Norton, president of New Jersey American Water. “While these results will be included in our annual Water Quality Reports in June, we wanted to share this news with our customers now so they can feel confident that their water is safe to drink.”

“We can assure Camden residents their water is safe and in full compliance with safe drinking water guidelines,” said Camden Mayor Frank Moran. “New Jersey American Water and American Water Contract Services sample Camden’s drinking water regularly. The treatment process is clearly working, and I encourage Camden residents to review the annual Water Quality Reports. As a lifelong resident, I am confident in our water quality. I am also grateful to our partners at American Water for delivering high quality potable water to our community."

Water Quality Reports, which are available online and also in printed copies upon request, give an overview of local drinking water sources for each community and detail the extensive testing conducted on the water delivered by the company each year. Camden residents who are New Jersey American Water customers can access their water quality report online at www.newjerseyamwater.com, under Water Quality. City of Camden customers, serviced through American Water Contract Services, can access their water quality report online at www.aw-connect.com/Camden.

Norton added that there are additional steps people can take to help further protect themselves from lead particles that could be present in indoor plumbing. “While we know that lead is not an issue in the treated water leaving our facilities or in the pipes in the distribution system, if your home was built before 1985, your plumbing system may contain leaded materials. To minimize possible exposure, experts recommend running your kitchen tap with cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes if it has gone unused for more than six hours. This is a simple way to reduce the risk of lead exposure from plumbing in older buildings.”

For more tips and information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com/leadfacts.

About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.8 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on Twitter and Facebook

About American Water 
With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 6,800 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater and other related services to 15 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing. For more information, visit amwater.com and follow American Water on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Media Contact:
Denise Venuti Free
Director of Communications and External Affairs
Cell: 856-449-7357
Denise.Free@amwater.com

 

Media Contact:
Vincent Basara
Communications Director
City of Camden
856-757-7200 // ViBasara@ci.camden.nj.us