Page 10 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • July 22, 2009 Area Ridgewood Water Company baffled by spike in arsenic by John Koster Ridgewood Water Company Director Frank Moritz said last week that he was just as surprised as everyone else about the reported spike in the level of arsenic in the local drinking water, but that the public health had never been at risk and the water now tests as completely within standards. “It’s really not an issue,” Moritz said last week. “We call it an aberration. The state standards provide for four quarters and we passed for the year. We’re going to be monitoring the situation in case this happens again.” Moritz said he had no idea why the drinking water standards of the state were violated twice during 2008. Test results received on May 15, 2008 at the Leigh Well and on Aug. 15, 2008 at the East Saddle River well showed that the system exceeded the standard or maximum contamination level for arsenic. The range for detection was from zero to 0.011 mg/l. The standard for arsenic is 0.005 mg/l. The director said there had been no immediate risk and that, if there had been, the public would have been notified immediately. The Ridgewood Water Company supplies tap water for Ridgewood, Glen Rock, Midland Park, and Wyckoff from artesian wells. Arsenic in very mild amounts occurs in some foods, and once was used as an appetite stimulant. However, arsenic is poisonous in intense concentrations and prolonged exposure to low amounts of arsenic has been linked to skin damage, circulatory damage, and some forms of cancer. Moritz said the water at all wells had tested as completely acceptable except for the two spikes in the late spring and summer of 2008 and that there have been no recurrences. Emmanuel asks... Can You Help? in the bathroom. We have been working with this family since Kelly was diagnosed. The caseworker has visited them several times and things seem calmer and happier. We have made a food delivery of bags of nonperishable food and dropped off some summer clothing. A small emergency grant paid the unpaid rent and fuel bill. We are able to make a difference with families like Kelly’s with your contribution to the Family Financial Assistance Program. With your contribution of food and funds, we can meet the many unmet needs of these people who might even be neighbors of yours. We have not been able to meet every need of the many families at this time and would like to expand our ability to do so. Please consider helping. Your donations of gifts cards to fast food restaurants, ice cream stores, and department stores are also of great help. To help: Call us at (201) 612-8118. Please do not leave items at the center without checking with us. Our storage space is limited. Our current hours are Monday, 10 A.M. to 1 P.M.; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, 10 A.M to 5 P.M.; and Thursday, 10 A.M to 2 P.M. The Northern Regional Center is located at 174 Paterson Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Visit us on the Web at: www.emmanuelcancer. org. As always, thank you for helping the children and their families! Lynn’s Pet Care Going on vacation? Away for the weekend? Work long hours away from home? We’ll care for your pets when you can’t. Please call 201-493-8442 Lynnspetcare18@Yahoo.com News from Northern Region of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation: Our hat’s off to the many individual donors who have been contributing money, food, or time this summer. Many folks have been dropping off non-perishable food, which during the slower summer months is a real help to us! Please continue to help us. If you haven’t helped, but would like to, please contact us. Details are listed at the bottom of this article. The summertime weather we have been looking for is finally here! Most parents look forward to having the children around, and children look forward to hours of having fun now that school is over. Sunscreen gets applied, swimming pools get jumped in, lemonade gets consumed, vaca4-29-09 karen/janine tions are taken, water balloons thrown, and hotdogs and hamburgers are grilled. EmmanuelHelp3x.75(4-29-09) For 10-year-old Kelly, the summer has a different feel3 x .75 ing. She was diagnosed with leukemia two months ago. She doesn’t participate in any summer activities right now, but keeps busy with crafts and drawing. Her sisters Alison, 8, and Ellynne, 5, have noticed all of the changes. Because of budget constraints, the family doesn’t do anything special (like go out and get ice cream) or buy anything other than food. The mailman brings bills, bills, and more bills. Their parents are overwhelmed and the atmosphere has been tense. More than once they have heard their mom crying Stay on top of commercial building maintenance MIDLAND PARK JULY 30, 31 & AUG. 1 Get In Step and Save! The Villadom TIMES is publishing a special section to promote this annual event. Don’t miss your chance to reach local consumers. Include your advertising message in this special issue. Call Ester today to place your advertisement. Wednesday, July 29 ADVERTISING DEADLINE: YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD NEWSPAPER SALE DAYS COMING Don’t Miss It! SIDEWALK Building Exterior Consultants, L.L.C. “Roofing and Waterproofing Solutions”  Roof Surveys  Waterproofing Surveys  Roof Evaluations  Moisture Surveys  Specification Development  Project Management  Construction Management  Due Diligence Jose A. Godoy Senior Consultant Phone: 954-584-3308 Fax: 954-584-3309 Cell: 954-275-3631 E-Mail: jgodoy@buildingexteriorconsultants.com PUBLICATION DATE: Web Site: www.buildingexteriorconsultants.com Wednesday, July 22 201-652-0744