State official addresses radium in Helmetta wells State may provide low-cost loans to place water softeners in homes

State official addresses
radium in
Helmetta wells
State may provide
low-cost loans to place water softeners in homes

By nicole c. vaccaro

Staff Writer

HELMETTA — Radium-free drinking water is only a step away for the borough’s 16 well owners, according to one state official.

At a recent Borough Council meeting, Gerald Nicholls, director of environmental safety, health, and analytical programs for the state, told residents that a water-softening device is a simple and inexpensive way to remove traces of the element from water.

"A water softener that is operating properly is 95 percent effective in removing radium," said Nicholls. "So it is important that you either purchase one or upgrade your current one."

The 16 residents using wells in the borough previously complained to the council that their water was unfit to drink.

Richard J. Spilatore, a Middlesex County health officer and program coordinator for water pollution control, has arranged for testing to be done on all town wells via the Department of Health, Trenton.

Radium is a natural radioactive material caused by the decay of uranium and thorium, which is found in many rocks throughout New Jersey.

If levels of radium are found to exceed the preferred limit of 5 picocuries per liter of water, recommendations for water-softening treatment will be made.

According to Nicholls, the water softener is customarily used to remove calcium and magnesium, both hard substances often found in drinking water.

Like those materials, radium is a hard element and can usually be removed with the same system, Nicholls said.

Nicholls said that if a person were to consume this substance consistently for a long period of time, cancer could result.

But according to Nicholls, those who have their water softeners checked and maintained regularly are at little, if any, risk of suffering any side effects.

Helmetta Mayor Frank Hague has been working closely with state Sen. Peter Inverso (R-14) and Middlesex County health officials to solve this problem.

Steve Cook, communications officer to Inverso, said they are working on obtaining low- or no-cost loans for well water owners seeking assistance. The installation of water softeners can run about $300, he said.

"This is a quality-of-life issue," said Cook. "And the senator believes in helping any way he can."

Residents with any questions may call Gerald Nicholls directly at (609) 633-7964 or call the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water at (609) 292-5550.