By alison granito
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE — Several experts, including a geologist trained in hydrology, are actively working to understand the pattern behind the epidemic of dry wells in the township.
According to Monmouth County Board of Health statistics, approximately 60 wells in the township have gone dry during one of the worst droughts to hit New Jersey in recent memory.
After the initial batch of wells went dry earlier this summer, township officials voted to hire M2 Associates, Hampton, to study the township’s water resources as part of the ongoing review of the master plan.
Matthew J. Muhall, a trained geologist with M2, presented information at last week’s Planning Board meeting on how the recent drought has had a variable impact on different aquifers located in the township, as well as information on the township’s water quality concerns.
Monmouth County Board of Health Official Lester Jargowsky told the planners that the county Board of Health is currently attempting to devise a system which would allow them to understand why some deep wells have gone dry, while some shallow wells remain operational. He said he hopes that such a system would allow health officials to predict which wells in which regions may go dry.
According to Muhall, the township sits on top of five different aquifer systems, which means that wells of different depths may tap into different aquifers.
According to Muhall, the drought severely depleted groundwater in the township, which soaks into the aquifers.
"If we don’t get at least average rainfall for the rest of the year, we are in trouble for next year," he said.
Although precipitation and groundwater may help recharge the shallow aquifers, he said that recharge of some of the deeper aquifers can take a very long time if depleted.
"The impact on some of these systems can take thousands of years to recover from," he explained.
"The bottom line with the hydrologic system is balance. What comes out has to go in," he said.
The closest federal test well to Millstone Township, which is located just over the municipal border in Jackson, is at a record low, said Muhall.
According to Muhall, the regional area has a significant impact on the aquifers beneath Millstone, with some of the recharge areas for these water systems as far away as Middlesex County and some which receive their supplies locally.
"Although you can’t control what happens outside your township, you can concentrate on what you can do through conservation here," he said.
Muhall told the board that they may want to consider whether current zoning allows for large enough lots to support water replenishment in certain areas of town.
Jargowsky also concentrated on the impact of development in his report to the board.
"Any type of massive development on the Route 537 corridor should take water into account," he said, noting, "If you take it out, you should have to put it back in."
Jargowsky said that the complex water systems in Millstone Township make it difficult to develop an understanding of the township’s water problems.
"This is not an easy town to understand. What is going on with the geology here is very unusual," he said. "As we go along, we are learn more."
Jargowsky also noted the regional impact on the natural water systems in the township, noting that Millstone was exclusively dependent on well water.
"Unfortunately, we have more to lose," he said.