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Resident raises concern after Newfield hydrants unlawfully opened; officials say water testing continues
Summary
At the Feb. 12 Newfield council meeting a resident reported hydrants on Gorgo Lane had been unlawfully opened; borough staff said they are conducting vigorous well testing, noted only two homes had internal lead/copper issues, and reminded residents of an upcoming water audit due March 31.
A resident from Rena Street told the Borough of Newfield Council on Feb. 12 that hydrants on Gorgo Lane have been unlawfully opened and asked what protections the borough can take to keep the water system safe. "What happens if the hydrants are contaminated from people unlawfully taking water from the hydrants?" the resident asked.
Mr. Nicholson, responding for borough operations, said the borough continues "to test our wells vigorously." He added that recent testing identified elevated copper and lead at two homes, but that those issues were internal to the residences rather than the public distribution system, and advised residents not to secure a ground to a copper pipe in their homes.
The exchange followed engineer updates noting the borough will drain the tank at well No. 5 and that the water audit is due by March 31. Council did not take formal regulatory action at the meeting beyond recording the reports and the public inquiry.
Why this matters: unauthorized hydrant use can create cross-connection and contamination risks for municipal water systems; the borough's stated testing and the upcoming audit are the primary near-term steps to establish whether infrastructure or operational changes are needed.
Details: Council heard that hydrants on Gorgo Lane "have been unlawfully opened again and water has been taken," raising cross-connection concerns. Mr. Nicholson said only two homes were found to have copper and lead issues and that those were internal to the dwelling plumbing. Engineer Wayne Johnson told council that the tank at well No. 5 will be drained as part of routine maintenance and that the water audit required by state rules is due March 31.
No enforcement action or formal policy change was announced at the meeting. Council members and staff indicated ongoing monitoring and testing will continue, and residents were given operational guidance by borough staff.
The council's next step on water oversight is the submission of the water audit by March 31; any further measures would depend on audit findings or subsequent test results.
