Hackettstown MUA issues update as boil water advisory remains in effect following E. coli detection in well
UPDATE: Hackettstown MUA lifts boil water advisory after testing confirms water is safe
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (Warren County) — The Hackettstown Municipal Utilities Authority said the boil water advisory issued earlier this week remains in effect after additional testing confirmed the presence of E. coli in Well No. 4, though officials emphasized the affected well has been disconnected from the public water distribution system.
The Hackettstown MUA provides water service to the Town of Hackettstown and portions of Independence Township and Mansfield Township in Warren County, and Mount Olive Township and Washington Township in Morris County.
According to the HMUA, Well No. 4 is used only during periods of high water demand. During July, the well operated for a total of 66 minutes, producing 14,452 gallons of water. Before that, the well had last been in service on May 5.
The authority said the well was activated for 44 minutes on July 21 to collect a routine quarterly raw water sample for PFAS testing. It was then operated again for 22 minutes on July 25 to collect a raw water sample after routine distribution system testing detected total coliform bacteria at a sampling location on Elmwood Avenue in the Diamond Hills section of the water system.
The positive total coliform result, which did not include E. coli, required the HMUA to collect additional samples upstream and downstream of the affected location, as well as test raw water from any wells that had been operated within the previous 10 days.
On July 27, the HMUA received results showing the raw untreated water sample collected from Well No. 4 on July 25 tested positive for both total coliform and E. coli. The authority immediately notified the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which directed the HMUA to issue a boil water advisory.
The HMUA then isolated Well No. 4 from the distribution system and collected five confirmation samples of untreated water from the well. Results received July 28 found that four of the five samples tested positive for E. coli. Officials said none of the water used for the confirmation testing entered the public water distribution system.
On July 28, the authority also collected six samples from throughout the distribution system to verify that chlorination eliminated any E. coli that may have entered the water system when Well No. 4 operated on July 25. Those test results are pending. The HMUA said it has since physically disconnected Well No. 4 by removing its discharge piping, eliminating any connection between the well and the distribution system.
The boil water advisory remains in effect for all HMUA customers. Residents are advised to bring water to a rolling boil for one minute and allow it to cool before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes or preparing food. Bottled water may also be used until the advisory is lifted.
According to the advisory, E. coli bacteria indicate that water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. Exposure can cause short-term health effects such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea and headaches, and may pose a greater risk to infants, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems.
The HMUA said it is obtaining additional confirmation samples, using an alternative water source while the issue is addressed, conducting a comprehensive assessment of the water system and developing a corrective action plan to help prevent future contamination.
Officials said laboratory testing for total coliform and E. coli requires an incubation period of 18 to 24 hours, with results typically available within 24 to 48 hours. The authority anticipates resolving the issue within 24 to 48 hours or within 30 days, depending on testing results and regulatory requirements, and will notify customers when testing confirms the water is safe to drink without boiling.
