SOUTH RIVER – The Borough Council has introduced a bond ordinance that would, if adopted, provide funding for improvements to the borough’s water treatment, storage and distribution system.
Business Administrator Art Londensky said improvements to the water treatment, storage and distribution system at the Department of Public Works complex on Ivan Way would include replacing the filter media, improving the chemical delivery and evaluating the water storage tanks.
“The treatment plant needs work, I am not going to deny it needs work. Most of the things done at the treatment plant were in the 1980s,” Londensky said. “It is now time to improve what we have.”
Council members introduced an ordinance appropriating $925,000 for the work on Aug. 5. The ordinance proposes the issuance of $875,000 in bonds and a $50,000 down payment from the borough.
Council President Raymond Eppinger said a public hearing and possible vote for adoption was scheduled for Aug. 19.
On June 12, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced charges had been filed against Robert Baker, 56, of Mine Hill, the licensed operator for the South River Water Department.
The charges were lodged in connection with allegations Baker submitted false water samples and records to a laboratory that tests samples for coliform bacteria for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), according to a statement.
Mayor John Krenzel said Baker worked for the water department for nine years.
“We are meeting the criteria for the DEP’s water quality, but we have to make it better,” Londensky said. “The water is still fine. It has minerals that have to be treated. We understand that and we have to (operate) the treatment system better than the way we are doing it now.
“This will take time, getting the equipment; you cannot go to Home Depot … it’s not on the shelf, you have to order it. We are getting it as fast as we can. We hope to see progress. In the meantime, we are moving along,” he said.
