Water Pollution Control

Contaminants Threatens Wells, DEP Concludes

Jaime L. Garcia

02-01-05

Key Word List

Asbury Park Press (APP.com), EPA.gov, Environment, New Jersey Water, Contamination, Clean Water Act, Water Pollution Control

Issue Statement

The contamination of public water wells in Monmouth and Ocean County can lead to negative long terms effects and put a major impact on the cost for water filtration. The accumulation of polluted water being produced in the area requires additional treatments making our county limited to our expenses.

Discussion

Many water wells in the state of New Jersey in addition to those in Monmouth and Ocean County have been susceptible to pollution. Some experts say, including the DEP commissioner, that the problem is not whether water coming out of your tap is safe. The real issue is the cost to put in addition treatments into the water therefore making it safe for every element where water is required and utilized. Though, updates have shown that drinking water itself is becoming unsafe and insecure for residents to consume as well.

Several conditions play a part in the pollution of water through the state. Whether it’s storm runoffs, leaky storage tanks, or harmful waste dump sites, these all have an effect on the high bacteria levels in the water. Keeping the pollution to a minimal is not the easiest thing in the world to do. Pesticides, petroleum products, corrosive or ignitable toxins are some examples of hazardous materials that are found in water today. The major water pollutants are chemical, biological, or physical materials that degrade water quality. Residents in Brick Township, Lakewood, Jackson Millstone, Freehold Township, Howell and Wall are some of the many local areas that are affected. Those organizations that are responsible for replenishing the water such as the New Jersey American Water Co., Monmouth and Lakewood systems, United Water Toms River, Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority and New Jersey American's Mount Holly system will probably be required to face these challenges and obstacles with a different strategy compared to the previous procedures.

Life threatening circumstances have occurred in the past that reminds us what could happen to our water supply if we do not maintain it. Situations like the Cuyahoga River on fire, or the Potomac River too dirty for swimming, or Lake Erie dying. Since these incidents have happened environmentalists have taken extreme measures to reduce the amount of pollution that is coming out of the power plants that are on the river and on Lake Erie. Public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. In the United States, the serious campaign against water pollution began in 1972, when Congress passed the Clean Water Act. This Act or law began a national campaign to stop any pollution to any lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, and coastal waters. The law also required anyone or any companies that discharge pollutants into waterways to apply for federal permits and to