In response to citizen concerns, Moorestown Township is looking into a temporary treatment for radiological chemicals along with the temporary treatment that is being put in for the chemicals Trichloropropane (TCP 1,2,3) and Trichlorethylene (TCE) found in Moorestown’s drinking water.
Moorestown Township Manager Scott Carew and Utilities Engineer L. Russell Trice spoke to town council on April 25 about the possibilities of adding a filtration system for the radionuclides. The two wanted to get council’s thoughts on if they should move forward on looking into getting the filtration system. Council gave its approval to Trice to move forward.
According to Trice, there are systems that filter and remove radium, gross alpha and other contaminants with which citizens were concerned. Those were from Calgon Carbon Corporation, where Moorestown is getting its carbon filters for the temporary treatment for the TCP 1,2,3 and TCE, and Water Resource Technology, Inc.
Trice believes WRT would most likely be the best company to go with, as there are more installations of its filters in New Jersey than any other manufacturer of radiological filters and are on the top of the list for radiologicals. He also said WRT is more efficient as it provides a more holistic approach to the filters, including providing equipment, good service and training and guaranteeing removal if something goes wrong.
Prices were not given, as Trice is still waiting to hear back from the company as well as thoughts from council. He said he believes he could have quotes by this week.
“I say definitely investigate it… We want our water to be the safest and cleanest. This just goes the extra mile I think,” Councilwoman Stacey Jordan said.
As of now, the temporary treatment for the TCP 1,2,3 and TCE has not been approved by the Department of Environmental Protection. According to Trice, the DEP is writing a draft for approval. However, town council unanimously approved a resolution awarding a contract to Level-1 Construction for the installation of the two granular carbon adsorption tanks, the temporary treatment of the TCP 1,2,3 and TCE, at the North Church Street Water Treatment Plant for $198,850. This is in preparation so when Moorestown is given approval, it can start immediately on the installation.
“As with the Caldon contract, this contract will not be executed until we have the approval from the DEP,” Carew said.
Resident Bob Gorman asked if the filters for the treatment of radionuclides were considered along with the installation of the carbon filters to save money. Carew said since it was just spoken about today it has not, and Trice said waiting to do so would delay the process, which they didn’t want to do.
Gorman also asked if the Kings Highway Water Plant was currently running. Carew said he did not know, but Trice said it was. Gorman said there needs to be more communication among everyone involved.
“This is becoming more and more upsetting every meeting,” Gorman said.
In other news:
• The ordinance on second reading amending a chapter called “Noise” was taken off the agenda last week, as the township felt it needed more information added to the ordinance.
• Council approved a contract for the Second Street Water Main Replacement Project in the amount of $15,692.55.
• Council also approved a number of resolutions on affordable housing, as the township is still working on its numbers. Those resolutions approved payments to Court Master Elizabeth McKenzie for $1,812.50 and Capehart Scatchard for $5,578.02 out of the township’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
• The next Moorestown Town Council meeting is Monday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m. with a 7 p.m. workshop in Town Hall.
