During a recent government meeting, officials provided a detailed update on a significant incident that occurred on June 4th at the Morris Service Authority water treatment plant, where a sodium hypochlorite spill took place. The meeting highlighted the collaborative efforts of various city departments, particularly the Department of Public Works (DPW), in managing the crisis.

The incident began with an unusually rapid delivery of sodium hypochlorite, exceeding the typical 1,400-gallon load. Compounding the issue, instrumentation failures led to inaccurate readings of tank levels, resulting in an overflow that discharged the chemical into sedimentation basins. Fortunately, staff quickly identified the problem and halted the distribution of contaminated water, ensuring that it did not enter the public water system.

Officials expressed gratitude for the swift response from DPW staff, including Patrick Madigan and his team, who provided essential support during the emergency. The meeting underscored the importance of having proper containment systems and updated instrumentation to prevent future incidents, as the current setup lacked necessary safeguards.

The response involved dechlorinating the contaminated water to meet environmental standards before discharging it into lagoons. The process was complicated by high chlorine levels, which required additional resources and support from neighboring jurisdictions and local contractors to expedite the cleanup.

By the end of the meeting, officials confirmed that the water treatment plant was back in operation by early Thursday morning, but they acknowledged the critical need for improved infrastructure to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The incident raised concerns about water supply levels, as the plant's temporary shutdown limited the available water for the city and surrounding areas, highlighting the interconnected nature of regional water systems.