To the editor: The West Milford Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) has prepared this letter to clarify many misconceptions, false accusations and inaccurate reports that have unjustifiably tarnished the MUA’s reputation. The following information is provided to clarify any misunderstandings regarding the MUA’s function, responsibilities and goals. 1.The MUA is NOT a “for profit” agency. In the case of all MUA’s, any surplus is applied to the following year’s budget and future operating and capital expenses. The MUA must hold public budget hearings and must obtain approval of its proposed annual budget from the Local Finance Board. In addition, an annual Audit must be prepared by a Certified Public Accountant, and be filed with the Department of the Treasury (NJSA 40:14B-66). 2.The MUA must follow and abide by all of the rules and laws under which it was created and comply with all requirements of the permits under which it operates. There are penalties, in many cases mandatory, for violating same. 3.The MUA is not affiliated with a particular political party and does not make decisions based on which party is in office. Attacking the MUA to circumvent exemptions allowed by the Highlands Act is not in anyone’s best interest. 4.The Authority is neither “pro” nor “anti” development. It merely provides service to developments that have obtained all required State and local approvals and are in compliance with the Highlands Act. With respect to any development that wishes to connect to public water or sewer services, an evaluation must be made as to whether the system will require upgrades to adequately handle additional demands. The developer pays for such upgrades. 5.Recent reporting in the media regarding the Olde Milford Treatment Plant effluent fecal coliform count is not consistent with testing performed by the MUA. In fact, recent split sampling performed by the MUA and the DEP verified that this plant is in compliance. 6.In addition, a township resident has stated that “foam” found in Belcher’s Creek is caused by excessive phosphorous in the Olde Milford Treatment Plant discharge. The MUA disagrees with this statement. In fact, the plant’s effluent is consistently below the NJDEP limit of 1.0 mg/l for phosphorous. Foam is caused by air; i.e. turbulence of stream riffles, below a waterfall, or as waves break onto the shore, then it bubbles to the surface. Hence, foam is not caused by the presence of phosphorous. Naturally produced organic surfactants are released from plants when they die and decompose. Foam from natural, plant-produced surfactants as well as pollutants from storm drains will occur in abundance following a heavy rainfall. More than 3” of rain was recorded on the day before such observations and tests were taken by Ms. Aaronson and Mr. Warden. Please note that these results were not presented to the NJDEP, the W. M. Health Department or the MUA only to the media, three hours before a public hearing on a proposed development. 7.One article in a local newspaper states that the MUA bears responsibility for the weed growth in Greenwood Lake. The MUA takes exception to this accusation and would remind all interested parties of two independent studies that were undertaken to determine the cause of weed growth. The first study was completed by Dr. David M. Bell, entitled “Spring 1999 Water Quality and Benthic Macoinvertebrate Fauna: Belchers Creek” dated June 30, 1999, who was retained by the West Milford Environmental Commission. The study concluded among other things: Fecal Coliform counts were higher downstream of Pinecliff Lake than the three sample points upstream of Pinecliff Lake. Total phosphorous was higher downstream of Pinecliff Lake than the three sample points upstream of Pinecliff Lake. The indicators of discharges of treated sanitary wastewater effluent into Belchers Creek (fecal coliform, surfactants, nitrates and phosphates) show relatively low values, and do not identify any reaches of the Creek where effluent discharge creates an obvious alteration of water quality. The second study was the recent June 7, 2004 proposed Amendment to the Northeast Water Quality Management Plan. This Amendment analyzed the Total Maximum Daily Load for Phosphorous for Greenwood Lake in the Northeast Water Region, and was published by the NJDEP. The Division of Watershed Management concluded that: The phosphorous loading contributed to Greenwood Lake by septic systems within 200 meters (approx. 650’) of the lake, represented 17 percent of the total loading. The phosphorous loading contributed to Greenwood Lake by all point source tributaries (STP surface water discharges) represented only 2 percent of the total loadings. In closing, the MUA meets twice a month in town hall and these meetings are open to the public to discuss any concerns. George Dusenberry West Milford Township MUA