Princeton University Geology Professor Tullis C. Onstott has added to the growing debate over the proposed PennEast Pipeline, providing evidence that it could increase arsenic levels in drinking water.
Professor Onstott explains that there is evidence of arsenic contaminating groundwater in similar pipelines, warning “contaminated water used for drinking, food preparation and irrigation of food crops poses the greatest threat to public health from arsenic.” PennEast has admitted as much. In their Draft Environmental Impact Statement, they state that “the pipeline will increase the arsenic exposure to the groundwater of this region.” PennEast’s proposed solution? Distribute water filters to residents whose wells test for high levels of arsenic.
Professor Onstott, the EPA and the NJDEP all agree that water filters are not an adequate solution to eliminate deadly, cancer-causing arsenic from a water supply. To find out why, read his interview with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.
