Drink Up—Collingswood Water Makes the Grade

Collingswood’s drinking water didn’t show any problems with contaminants in 2008-2010, according to the borough water report released this week.

In every test completed, the drinking water had contaminants well below the maximum levels established by state and federal guidelines. (Click the PDF, to the side, to view the 2010 Water Quality Table.)

The Annual Drinking Water Quality Report, mailed this week to residents, has tests from 2008, 2009 and 2010—some tests must be completed more frequently than others, John Meier, Water Department superintendent explained.

Iron is not among the required compounds to test for; residents recently complained of .

“Iron is a problem in every system that uses groundwater,” Meier noted. “We always start with our lower-level wells, which have lower iron content, and use them as much as possible.

“But during times of high demand, like now, we sometimes have to use higher wells.”

Along with the water quality results, the report notes several ongoing capital projects the Water Department is working on or has planned. One includes the Collingswood Circle project. Phase I of the project brought 5,000 feet of new water main. Another 5,000 feet is planned for Phase II.

Phase II likely will take place in the fall. 

“The state pays for (the new water main),” Meier noted. “We don’t pay a nickel.”

The Water Department also is waiting to hear word on a grant application filed with the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust Fund. A successful application could provide money for capital projects, including drilling a new well at Cooper River.

If completed, the Water Department would seal off older wells that cause some of the iron in the water, Meier said. The department is in talks with state agencies now about the grant.