By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — A routine test done last month revealed trace amounts of coliform bacteria in the borough’s drinking water.
According to a notification on this matter on the borough’s website, Hightstown routinely monitors the water system for coliform bacteria.
And in July, it found some.
”During the month of July, we collected 12 samples for coliform bacteria, of which two samples showed the presence of coliform bacteria,” reads the town’s online notice to residents, which was posted Aug. 10.
Borough residents began receiving paper notifications of the July contamination yesterday.
”We will be notifying residents this week, well within the time required,” said Business Administrator Michael Theokas on Wednesday.
Thursday, he said the notifications to residents began being hand delivered. It was estimated that most people would have the notices by today.
He said the borough has 30 days to inform its citizens per New Jersey Department of Environment regulations once notified itself.
Aug. 1, routine water samples collected were all coliform-negative.
”Steps have been taken to remedy the situation, and the Aug. 1 test came back negative for the same type of bacteria that appeared in July. This situation is now considered resolved,” Hightstown Mayor Steven Kirson told the Herald on Wednesday.
According to Mr. Theokas, Hightstown’s drinking water is tested by an independent company per New Jersey Department of Environment regulations. It received a letter from such a company Aug. 2, he said, noting it was dated July 31.
Total coliform is a group of bacteria, which can come from a variety of environmental sources such as soil, plant materials, surface water and warm-blooded animals. Samples of drinking water, which test positive for total coliform, must be analyzed further to determine the types of bacteria present.
”The Hightstown water samples did not test positive for the types of coliform bacteria, which are associated with increased risk of illness and fecal contamination,” said Jill Swanson, a health officer of the West Windsor Department of Heath, which oversees Hightstown and Robbinsville in addition to health matters in West Windsor.
Ms. Swanson did indicate Wednesday that while coliform bacteria does not typically make a person feel unwell, “the presence of coliform bacteria in the water sometimes serves as an indicator that other types of harmful bacteria may be present, but subsequent testing of the borough’s water supply did not indicate this type of contamination was present.”
Ms. Swanson also stated that, on occasion, both public and private water supplies test positive for total coliform bacteria, and a positive test is an alert further testing is needed and calls for a proactive response.
”It is difficult to say what led to the positive sample result, but important to note that subsequent reports indicate samples were negative, and the borough continues to work closely with the NJDEP in monitoring the water quality and ensuring a safe water supply,” Ms. Swanson said.
In a notice posted by the Water Department on Hightstown’s website, it was noted, “As a precaution, the supply well (known as well No. 2) in use at the time (of the July reading) was shock disinfected with chlorine. In addition, we will continue to closely monitor the chlorine residual in our service area and adjust treatment operations as necessary to maintain adequate levels of chlorine.”

