The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a public health agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, announced today the availability of the report on the Water-Distribution System, Dover Township Area, Ocean County, New Jersey.

The report contains information specific to the water distribution system for the Dover Township area and presents and describes the following: (1) Data gathered during field tests conducted in march and August 1998, (2) the development, calibration, and testing of the water-distribution system model for 1998 conditions, (3) a water-quality simulation of a naturally occurring conservative element, barium, to further test the reliability of the model calibration, and (4) the simulation of the proportionate contribution of water from points of entry to various locations throughout the distribution system for 1998 conditions. The report consists of 15 tables, 14 figures, 22 plates, and supplemental data volume consisting of 17 appendices (A-Q).

The report is part of the ongoing Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) investigation of the elevated incidence of childhood cancers in Dover Township, Ocean County, New Jersey.

ATSDR is reconstructing historical characteristics of the water-distribution system serving the Dover Township area by using water-distribution system modeling techniques.

To test the reliability of model simulations, investigators initiated a field-data collection effort to obtain pressure measurements, storage-tank water levels, and system operation schedules (the on/off cycling of pumps and wells) during winter-demand (March 1998) and peak-demand (August 1998) operating conditions. Using these data, ATSDR investigators calibrated the water-distribution system model to present-day (1998) conditions.

Additional details pertaining to the information presented in the report can be obtained from ATSDR by contacting Mr. Morris L. Maslia, P.E., at (404) 639-0674 or toll-free at (888) 42-ATSDR. He can also be contacted by electronic mail at mfm4@cdc.gov.