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:
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 2021:
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:
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- Edison
- Metuchen
- Iselin
- Fords
- Keasbey
- Hopelawn
- Woodbridge
- Avenel
- Sewaren
- Port Reading
- Carteret
- South Amboy
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
We 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
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.
