To The Editor:
As residents of Hopewell Borough, we all rely on safe, reliable water every day. Our community’s water system depends on the local groundwater well number 4 which currently supplies 50-60 percent of our water. Groundwater wells could provide 100 percent of our water if an additional well were utilized.
Recently, our Borough decided to sell the municipal water system to New Jersey American Water following a water quality concern related to a PFOS level over the threshold limit that occurred in the second quarter of 2022. The decision to sell our system brings big changes. It’s essential the public stays informed and involved to protect our water future. Our local groundwater wells can serve as a critical source of supply, especially in emergencies or times of contamination.
Why should we care about groundwater wells after the sale to American Water? These wells provide important redundancy — a backup supply that safeguards our community against supply interruptions, system failures, or future contamination events. Decommissioning or neglecting these wells threatens public health and safety, potentially leaving us vulnerable to water shortages or supply interruption.
Everyone in Hopewell can watch out and support protective requirements including:
- Proper maintenance of all groundwater wells in active or standby service.
- Ensure the Borough’s system, including existing wells, are incorporated into the emergency response and water supply contingency plan to ensure continued service during American Water outages or regional supply disruptions or disasters.
- Transparency and public reporting about capital investments made within the Borough, and the operational status of all supply sources serving the Borough.
Protecting these safeguards is critical not just for today, but for the resilience and health of Hopewell for generations to come. We encourage our Borough Council and fellow residents to remain engaged, advocate for strong oversight, and insist that any water system changes uphold these vital protections.
Our water is a shared resource and a public trust. Keep it safe, reliable, and sustainable.
Sincerely,
June Schwank
Hopewell Borough Resident
