Worried about your NJ water after chemical spill near Delaware River? Here's what to know

Jim Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·2 min read
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CAMDEN – Delaware River water provided to South Jersey customers “is not impacted” by a chemical spill that has polluted a stream in Pennsylvania, a utility company says.

But New Jersey American Water also asked customers to reduce water use in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

It said the cutbacks would help maintain "optimal operation" at a Delran facility that treats Delaware River water.

The firm made the request Sunday afternoon, following a chemical spill from a manufacturing plant into a river tributary in Bristol, Pennsylvania. It issued a second statement on Monday evening, saying circumstances were unchanged.

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No impact for South Jersey 'at this time'

In its original statement, the firm said the spill “at this time” has not affected the treated drinking water delivered to customers in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

“We continue to monitor the quality of the Delaware River and have activated our business continuity plans to continue to provide safe, reliable service to customers in this three-county region,” Mark McDonough, the utility’s president, said on Sunday.

McDonough added Monday that state and federal agencies, and other water firms are also testing the river, including the area around the plant’s intakes

"No contaminants have been detected," he said.The utility has asked customers in the three South Jersey counties to limit "non-essential water use until further notice."

The company said it will announce updates through its customer-notification system.

It said Sunday that the cutback period is expected to last from 24 to 48 hours.

Updates will also be posted under Alerts at www.newjerseyamwater.com and on the company’s social media channels.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: NJ American Water says Delaware River supply 'not impacted' by spill