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Water Quality

Home » Water Quality

  • Water Quality Reports
  • The Water Quality Accountability Act
  • Important Information about PFAS
  • Hydrant Flushing
  • Partnership for Safe Water
  • Help Prevent Water Pollution
  • Dispose of Medication Properly
  • Maintaining Internal Plumbing Systems

Water Quality Reports

As water providers, drinking water quality is extremely important to us. We make ongoing investments in our treatment and distribution infrastructure to ensure a clean, safe drinking water supply. All of our drinking water treatment plants, that treat surface water, are continuously staffed by professionally licensed, trained, experienced operators. Water produced at our groundwater sources is also tested and monitored for harmful traces of either chemical or microbial contaminants are present in the water. Information about water sources and results of testing is summarized in our Annual Water Quality Report.

MWC Water Quality Data Sheets 2008-Current

Click your water provider below to access its latest Annual Water Quality Report:

Middlesex Water Company

Middlesex Water Company – Bayview System

Pinelands Water Company

Utility Service Affiliates (Avalon) Inc.

Utility Service Affiliates (Perth Amboy) Inc.

Tidewater Utilities, Inc. (Including Southern Shores Water Company)

Utility Service Affiliates, Inc. (Highland Park)

The Water Quality Accountability Act

The Water Quality Accountability Act (WQAA), signed into law in July 2017, was established to enhance the reliability, safety and administrative oversight of drinking water from every water provider in the state, whether that provider be a company or a municipality. The law took effect in October 2017 and sets statewide operational standards for public community water systems with more than 500 service connections. We are grateful to our many professionals whose job it is to ensure compliance with regulations that keep our drinking water safe.

See more information about the WQAA on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website »

In November 2021, new WQAA amendments were signed into law requiring further operational changes to achieve compliance. These new standards and requirements include:

Asset Management Plan: Public water purveyors are required to create and implement an asset management plan to help inspect, maintain and renew its drinking water infrastructure.

Hydrant & Valve Maintenance: Purveyors are required to routinely inspect, maintain and repair valves and fire hydrants throughout the distribution system. The GPS coordinates of these assets must also be maintained by water systems.

Cybersecurity Program: Purveyors are required to develop a formal cybersecurity program, in accordance with requirements established by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU).

Mitigation Plan for Safe Drinking Water Act Violations:  Purveyors who exceed a certain number of violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act within any 12-month period are required to submit a formal mitigation plan to show how they are addressing the specific violation and a timeline implementation of their plan.

Middlesex Water has submitted certifications for its systems that serve more than 500 service connections in New Jersey. We are pleased our 2022 certifications demonstrate compliance with the following:

  • The Water Quality Accountability Act
  • Federal Safe Drinking Water Regulations
  • New Jersey Safe Drinking Water Regulations
  • Licensing of Water Supply and Wastewater Operators
  • Water Supply Allocation Permits

Middlesex Water WQAA 2022 Certification »
Middlesex Water WQAA 2021 Certification »
Middlesex Water WQAA 2020 Certification »

Pinelands Water WQAA 2022 Certification »
Pinelands Water WQAA 2021 Certification »
Pinelands Water WQAA 2020 Certification »

Middlesex Water also serves as a resource to municipalities seeking assistance related to WQAA compliance. Email us at [email protected].

Important Information about PFAS

NJ DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PFAS IN DRINKING WATER FACT SHEET
PAST CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS
PFOA PROGRESS UPDATE
1'26'23
PAST PFOA PUBLIC NOTIFICATIONS
AN INFORMATION SESSION ON PFOA (SLIDESHOW)
PFOA PUBLIC NOTIFICATION 2'22'23
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Statements Regarding USEPA Proposed PFAS Regulations Announced March 14, 2023

Hydrant Flushing

Hydrant flushing is essential to good water distribution system preventive maintenance. Flushing helps enhance water quality by removing minerals and sediment that naturally accumulate in water mains over time. The process also helps maintain proper chlorine concentration within the piping network.  Flushing keeps water moving in the water distribution system so that water does not stagnate in the pipe. Fire hydrants are flushed on a routine schedule throughout the year to help ensure that they are in proper working order and to test fire flows, water pressures and flow rates. Sometimes, residents may misinterpret the flushing process as a waste of good clean water, but in reality, it is an essential preventive maintenance activity that helps maintain the integrity of the water system.

Occasionally, hydrant flushing may result in a temporary discoloration of water. These conditions are not harmful and are usually short-term. During flushing operations, residents are encouraged to avoid using washing machines, dishwashers or other water using devices. If any discoloration is noted, briefly running the cold water tap for a few minutes typically helps to clear discolored water.

Flushing Schedule 2023:

Beginning in June and continuing through September (During the hours of 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM), MWC personnel will be flushing hydrants in the following areas:

    • 2023 Flushing Schedule Coming Soon

The hydrant flushing will be conducted during the daytime hours (generally between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM) and only by uniformed, MWC personnel in clearly marked Middlesex Water Company vehicles. Any activity involving fire hydrants by individuals other than Fire Department or MWC personnel should be considered suspicious.

Partnership for Safe Water

Partnership for Safe WaterWe are pleased to report that Middlesex Water Company’s Carl J. Olsen Water Treatment Plant in Edison, New Jersey received the Partnership for Safe Water’s Fifteen Year Director’s Award of Recognition in 2016. This honor, which represents a continual commitment to protecting public health, is awarded to only a small percent of water utilities nationwide.

Middlesex Water’s CJO Plant received the award for continually optimizing its treatment system over a period of 15 years. The Director’s Award includes a comprehensive evaluation of treatment plant operations and performance, identification of performance limiting factors, and the development of action plans to achieve optimization. We are pleased to be a long-term member of the Partnership for Safe Water, a program developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the American Water Works Association and associated partner organizations, to improve the quality of water delivered by optimizing water system operations.

The Partnership for Safe Water is a voluntary self-assessment and optimization program for water treatment plant and distribution system operation. More than 250 utility subscribers, collectively serving more than 100 million people, are committed to the Partnership’s goals of providing safe, high quality drinking water through achieving operational excellence in water treatment.

Help Prevent Water Pollution

  • Consider nontoxic pesticides.
  • Dispose of ant traps, flea collars, bug sprays, pesticides, and flypaper as directed.
  • Use flea shampoos sparingly.
  • Clean up pet waste; if left on the ground, storm water can carry bacteria into waterways.
  • Keep chemicals out of drains. Use chemical fertilizers, weed killers, and fungicides only as directed. Do not apply if rain is expected. Avoid using near surface waters. Don’t hose clippings away-sweep up instead.
  • Dispose of harsh chemicals correctly. Solvents, cleansers, paints, glues, varnishes, thinners, strippers, roofing tar, and asphalt can be highly toxic. Use as directed. Get rid of what you don’t need at hazardous waste collection centers.
  • Collect waste auto fluids.  Clean up spilled brake fluid, oil, grease, and antifreeze. Do not hose them into the street where they can reach local waterways. Take used motor oil and antifreeze to a designated collection center (such as an oil change place).
  • Try non-toxic stain removers. Use nontoxic stain removers: hydrogen peroxide for bloodstains, white vinegar or cream of tartar for ink stains, borax for other stains. When only commercial stain removers will do, limit your use and follow instructions.
  • Use household cleansers safely.  Follow directions for using and storing drain and oven cleaners, ammonia, bleach, spot removers, and polishes. Products labeled “Poison” and “Danger” are most toxic. Use less toxic and non-toxic alternatives.
  • Keep chemicals out of drains. Keep chemicals, pet wastes, and debris out of storm drains-these outlets flow into surface waterways. Don’t pour unwanted chemicals on the ground or down sinks. Instead, take them to hazardous waste collection centers.

Dispose of Medication Properly

medication disposal

You can help keep our water systems healthy and protect the environment by disposing of medications properly. If you have expired or unused pharmaceutical products in your medicine cabinet including pills, capsules, patches, inhalers or pet medications, do not discard these down the drain or in the toilet. Flushing medication can contribute to water contamination and may cause harm to aquatic life. To safely dispose of unused pharmaceuticals from the home, seek out secure pharmaceutical drop off sites, collection events or contact your local police department, many of whom maintain secure drop boxes for this purpose.

Maintaining Internal Plumbing Systems

Our treatment systems are designed and operated to produce water that meets all state and federal standards. Many substances and microscopic organisms found in water may be a concern if they occur at high concentrations. For some contaminants, MCL levels have not been set because the EPA has not determined at what level they pose a public health risk. This is often because a reliable detection method is unavailable and/or because the contaminant is rarely found in treated water.

Some naturally occurring organisms commonly found in the natural water supplies may not be eliminated during the treatment process. This means that even a well-run system may contain low levels of microscopic organisms. The levels, however, are normally of little concern to healthy individuals. It should be noted, however, that under certain circumstances, these organisms might amplify to dangerous levels within a customer’s own water supply system. Water that has been sitting idle within plumbing systems of unoccupied or partially occupied buildings and facilities could harbor microbial and other inorganic matter which, over time of non-use, can become a health issue. All customers, including residential, commercial and industrial customers, and other large facilities such as schools, hospitals and hotels/motels, should follow appropriate procedures for maintaining their own internal plumbing systems and appliances. If you have any concerns about these matters, please call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Middlesex Water Company

Middlesex Water Company
485C Route 1 South, Suite 400                             Iselin, NJ 08830

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MATERIALS VERIFICATION TEST

The Materials Verification Test below can help you figure out if you have a lead, galvanized steel, copper, or plastic service line on the portion of the service line you own. When you have completed the visual inspection, please submit your results using the following survey link. If you have a lead or galvanized steel service line, Middlesex Water will contact you to confirm the results and schedule your service line replacement.

What you need:

  1. House key or coin
  2. Strong refrigerator magnet

Steps to check your service line:

  1. Find the water meter in your basement or outside your home and look at the service line that enters the water meter.
  2. Use the house key or coin to carefully scratch the pipe surface.
  3. Compare the scratched area to the following descriptions:
    • If it looks shiny and silver, the pipe is made of lead. A magnet will not stick to a lead pipe.
    • If it is a dull gray color with no noticeable scratch on the surface, the pipe is galvanized steel. A magnet will stick to a galvanized steel pipe.
    • If it is the same color as a penny, the pipe is copper. A magnet will not stick to a copper pipe.
    • If it is smooth and red, blue, white, or black, the pipe is plastic. A magnet will not stick to a plastic pipe.
  4. Report your service line material in this SURVEY
copper pipe
Dull brown or greenish: You DO NOT have a lead service line
Galvanized Steel Pipe
Grey or silver: You DO have a galvanized steel service line that should be replaced. A magnet will stick to a galvanized steel service line.
Lead Pipe
Grey or silver: You DO have a lead service line that should be replaced.
Red, blue, black, or white: You DO NOT have lead service line.

ENTERPRISE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

THE MIDDLESEX WATER ENTERPRISE WILL:

• Comply with, or produce results better than, applicable laws and regulations set forth by state utility commissions and government environmental regulatory agencies.

• Include the consideration of environmental impact in all business strategies, initiatives and project plans.

• Work to ensure a reliable source of water supply.

• Promote respect for the environment as part of our Company’s culture among employees and our suppliers in their daily operations.

• Focus on reducing the amount of water lost (non-revenue) in our distribution system and employ leak detection and other available technology to achieve this goal.

• Prevent pollution, reduce waste and minimize the consumption of resources to minimize risks to the environment.

• Continually work to educate customers about the importance of protecting and preserving our natural resources and the importance of wise water use.

• Educate, train and motivate employees to carry out tasks in an environmentally responsible manner.

• Build in system resiliency to mitigate effects of climate change and other short and long-term climate related challenges.

• Use efficient practices that save fuel, energy and water.

• Work with our industry and legislative representatives to shape public policy and legislation that supports water objectives and helps ensure safe drinking water.

• Invest prudently in our systems for infrastructure stability, operational resiliency and continued sustainability utilizing sound asset management planning.

• Engage with our community to ensure responsiveness to local needs and interests.

• Work in collaboration with our communities, local municipal officials and our vendors to ensure a clean, safe, reliable and resilient water supply.

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