Toxins Found In Water In Over 100 NJ Towns

A study by Environmental Working Group uncovered varied amounts of the chemical compound, also known as hexavalent chromium, in all 50 U.S. states, affecting nearly 200 million Americans.

Water systems in every county in New Jersey have been found to contain the toxin chromium-6, which can cause severe health problems, and played a central role in the true-to-life plot of the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich.”

Even small doses of chromium-6 may cause liver damage, reproductive and developmental complications, and cancer.

Patrick Lavery of Townsquare News points out that New Jersey’s levels measured well below the federal limit of 100 parts per billion of combined chromium in tap water, but the EWG believes that limit is too high.

In Ocean County, 21 out of 22 systems detected chromium-6, and 150 out of 246 samples tested positive. The EWG's goal is 0.02 parts per billion, while Ocean County averaged 0.0501 ppb.

The following systems in Ocean County contained chromium-6:

NJ American Water Co. - Coastal North
United Water - Toms River
Brick Township MUA
Jackson Township MUA
Stafford Township Water - Beach Haven West
Lacey Township MUA
Long Beach Township Brant Bea
Little Egg Harbor Township MUA
Manchester Township Water Utility
Beach Haven Water Department