MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP PRESS RELEASE
TWO WELLS TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE ON MANCHESTER’S EAST SIDE
On July 10, after normally scheduled quarterly testing by the State of New Jersey, well 8
had an elevated presence of radium. Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that is
found in trace amounts in rocks, soils and groundwater. For the past decade, well 8 has produced
water within state guidelines. As mentioned above, the State of New Jersey performs quarterly
testing and if the rolling average for one year exceeds 5 PCI/L, the well is deemed not compliant
and the township has one year to remedy the situation. During the one year period, state law
would allow Manchester Township to continue using the well. After the July testing, it was
determined that during a 3 week period in June our results caused us to exceed the one year rolling
average. Upon receipt of the testing results from the State, we immediately closed well 8. Out of
an abundance of caution, we also closed well 7 considering its close proximity to well 8.
Please rest assured, our drinking water is safe and has been safe. Certainly, if there was an
immediate concern, the State would not allow the Township to continue to use the well for one
year while we fix the issue. Based on scientific studies, one person out of ten thousand would
suffer health risks if they consumed two liters of water per day for a period 70 years with levels in
excess of 5 PCI/L.