After a contaminant was found in Moorestown’s water supply, legislators are looking to protect New Jersey’s drinking water from toxic contaminant.

The bill (A-3954), sponsored by Assembly Democrats Herb Conaway, M.D., Troy Singleton and L. Grace Spencer, seeks a maximum contaminant level for 1,2,3-trichloropropane. It requires the Drinking Water Quality Institute to recommend to the Department of Environmental Protection a maximum contaminant level for the chemical.

The chemical is a man-made and persistent substance used for paint removal and other purposes. It’s been classified a “likely” carcinogen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. According to the DEP, it is a potent genotoxic carcinogen that occurs in drinking water at levels resulting in significant cancer risk based on test results from New Jersey public and non-public water supplies.

“This contaminant, which has been found to cause cancer, was recently detected in Moorestown’s water supply, causing town officials to shut down two of its primary wells,” said Conaway (D-Burlington) “This legislation will strengthen water quality standards to protect public health. When residents turn on the tap, they should be confident that their water is safe to drink.”

“This bill, quite simply, does the right thing for New Jersey residents,” said Singleton (D-Burlington). “Clean drinking water is an absolute must. Ensuring our continued vigilance in holding this truth is essential, so that other communities don’t suffer the same problem.”

“It’s unfortunate that we have to legislate common sense laws such as this to protect our drinking water, but this is step forward,” said Spencer (D-Essex). “Protecting our drinking water is among our highest priorities.”

The bill was released by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee chaired by Spencer.

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