An environmental group is claiming that dozens of towns in New Jersey have contaminated drinking water.
The report from Environmental Working Group names 45 towns, including South River, Highland Park, Lacy and West Milford. The report says that the tap water in these towns contains unhealthy levels of contaminants like Chloroform, radium and chromium, which are all linked to cancer and the possibility of hindering fetal development.
But the mayor of South River says that the report is bogus. He says that his town has done their own testing and that the water is fine.
“Everything is fine. I just had a glass [of water] myself and I’m going to have another glass in a few minutes,” says Mayor John Krenzel.
The state Department of Environmental Protection says that the agency is also leery of the report.
“This group has a track record of massaging data to scare people,” a spokesman for the department said in a statement. “New Jersey has a set guidance level on how to deal with [contaminants] and we are working toward a permanent standard.”
The group does say that all of the levels are within legal ranges, but that scientists believe they may be harmful. The group says that a quality water filter will help protect homeowners from the contaminants. Residents who are worried can have their water tested.
The Environmental Working Group report can be read
HERE.