By Julia Train
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) is currently investigating a case of suspected tampering with water testing samples that indicated alarmingly high levels of mercury in private wells in Upper Township.
A meeting in Upper Township on Monday, Oct. 28 allowed residents to voice their concerns directly to DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, who attended via Zoom. Many expressed their frustration and anxiety over the situation. Mayor Jay Newman was in attendance as well and expressed his disbelief, saying he was “flabbergasted.”
This investigation was triggered when a resident reported elevated mercury levels in a private well on Sept. 9.
The resident, who was moving from the city to her boyfriend’s home in Beesley’s Point, had concerns about drinking untreated water. In August, the boyfriend decided to have the water tested so she’d feel more confident about drinking it, but the test came back positive for mercury, a metallic substance that can lead to serious health effects.
He then applied for assistance from the state through the DEP and was able to resolve the issue.
This led the Cape May County Health Department to test additional wells in the area and discover that approximately a dozen wells also showed dangerously high mercury levels.
Some samples reportedly indicated mercury concentrations as high as 14,000 parts per billion (PPB), far exceeding the safe limit of 2 PPB.
However, when the DEP conducted its independent testing, the results differed dramatically. The department’s preliminary findings revealed that many of these same wells either had non-detectable levels of mercury or results well below the safety threshold.
At the Oct. 28 meeting, LaTourette said that it appears someone with access to the samples deliberately manipulated them after they were collected, leading to false high readings.
He called the actions “shameful,” while other officials said it was a waste of government resources.
The DEP hasn’t publicly named the laboratory responsible for the initial high readings, but township officials confirmed it was Cape Environmental Laboratory, a certified facility.
According to 6abc Action News, the lab’s owner is cooperating with the DEP and is also seeking answers about how such high results could have occurred.
The DEP is actively retesting the affected wells to ensure the safety of the water supply. Until the situation is resolved, the state has committed to covering relocation costs for residents relying on the private wells. For those who do not relocate, the DEP will provide bottled water to ensure they have safe drinking options.
LaTourette stated that the investigation will explore not only the tampering itself but also the motivations behind it.
As of Tuesday, there hasn’t been any indication that a suspect has been identified.
The case has been referred to the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General for further examination, with potential civil, regulatory and criminal penalties for those found responsible.
The DEP will finalize its preliminary results showing safe mercury levels within three weeks, with final findings shared with the public once available.
Residents are encouraged to reach out to the DEP for assistance and to apply for help from the state’s Spill Fund for relocation or other needs related to the contamination.
