New Brunswick Water Quality Investigation Leads to DEP Intervention

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is watching water quality in the city after an investigation revealed violations within the company that supplies drinking water to New Brunswick, Milltown and Franklin Township.

The DEP is investigating false water quality reports and improperly calculated results handled by the New Brunswick Water Department and its former license operator, Edward O'Rourke, according to a press release from the Department of Environmental Protection. 

From 2010 to spring 2013, the department reported no problems with the city's drinking water standards, but a joint DEP and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigation showed repeated violations of these standards. 

The problems came to light after new director Frank Marascia reported a problem with the turbidity of the water, or the clarity and quality of water before it enters treatment. The more turbid water is, the more likely it is to carry pathogens, according to the release. 

This led to a closer look at internal water quality documents.

The investigation found that false reports on water turbidity were submitted, outdated charts were used to log the results of tests performed to destroy pathogens, and false information was submitted regarding the presence of coliform bacteria, an indicator of such bacteria as E. coli, according to the release.

The DEP does not have data reporting public illness occurring from these violations, but they raised public risk. 

"While the DEP has no direct evidence that public health was impacted, the violations are considered to be serious because they had the potential to expose the public to disease-causing microorganisms," the release said. 

O'Rourke allegedly submitted false results to the DEP on official and required documents that were certified as accurate, according to the release.

His license was suspended and he was fined $17,000.

The investigation findings resulted in an overhaul of the way the company was operating, and a new team has been brought in to ensure water quality is property tested and logged, according to the release.

Marascia is now the licensed operator for the department, as well as the director, city spokesman Russell Marchetta said. 

The city of New Brunswick must also distribute the findings of the investigation through a public TV, radio, print and mail campaign. 

"The DEP, along with the EPA, will continue to work very closely with the city to ensure these problems never happen again," said John Giordano, DEP Assistant Commissioner for Compliance and Enforcement.

The New Brunswick Water Department serves 50,000 customers throughout Middlesex County.