UPPER DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP-- It's been up and running for weeks but today local and federal dignitaries gathered to cut the ribbon and officially open the Love Lane Radionuclide Water Treatment Plant.

"Upper Deerfield Township's hardworking families always deserve better then to worry about what is coming out of the faucet and they don't have to worry any longer," said Senator Robert Menendez.

Nearly 5,000 residents, and those at nearby schools benefit from the plant and now have water that no longer contains an unsafe level of a radioactive substance.

"It's going to be lowering the radionuclides from the water that's been a problem in so many communities," said Upper Deerfield Township Mayor James Crilley.

"A little of safety because of the public health issue, not an immediate risk but its something that needed to be done," said Director of the New Jersey USDA Howard Henderson.

The need for a new plant came to the township's attention following a DEP study that found an unacceptable level of radionuclides in the water system. That level was also rising.

"Down at this end are the filters, not unlike what you would see in swimming pools," said Upper Deerfield Township Committeeman Terry O'Neill.

Large filters are the key. They help keep folks at normal levels.

"Right now the level has dropped. It used to be 15 now its 5," said O'Neill.

The project cost close to $2.5 million and was made possible by USDA funding.
With everyone gathered for the celebration officials are glad they solved the problem before it become one.

"It is a radioactive material, low level, at no time did the water become a health problem to residents," said Crilley. He added, "We just didn't want to take our chances. We know what we had to do and did it."