Lacey residents alarmed to find township water failed state quality regulations

Lacey Township residents say they are worried after discovering the water coming out of their faucet turned brown. It came just days after receiving a notice that their water had failed to pass state quality regulations.

Lacey officials say the brown water situation has been resolved. They say it was due to an unrelated incident involving a fire hydrant. But given the timing and language of the letter, residents were understandably concerned.

The letter didn't explain the violation, but it did list the potential effects of drinking water contaminated with lead. This led many people to think they had been drinking contaminated water.

"It was a little alarming to get it. You know, I've got a 12-year-old daughter. It said that it causes a bunch of problems, so it's a little worrisome,” says resident Chris Sedeyn.

Officials say their own tests consistently show no signs of contaminants and they are disputing the state findings that say otherwise.

"We are confident that we were always in compliance with New Jersey [Department of Environmental Protection] water quality parameters PH levels. We do not believe the results submitted by the contracted laboratory were accurate,” says Ed Woolf, director of the Lacey Municipal Utilities Authority.

But residents are still upset that they were just now notified about the water quality issue. This study was completed months ago, but officials insist they were only made aware of the issue last month and they notified residents as soon as possible.