After nine months of emailing Brockovich, resident Kati Angelini received a response from the renowned environmental activist.
American legal clerk and environmental activist Erin Brockovich is helping to investigate allegations regarding Moorestown’s contaminated water supply. Resident Kati Angelini, who recently ran for a seat on Town Council but was not elected, had been reaching out to the famous legal secretary for months to seek her help.
Moorestown’s water issues have been at the forefront of the town’s news for months, with the Moorestown Water Group, of which Angelini is a member, leading the argument that the town’s water is contaminated. Several of the wells located in Moorestown have been found to possess levels of 1, 2 and 3-trichloropropane.
The Environmental Protection Agency has expressed that these contaminants are likely carcinogenic, ultimately leading the township to shut down two of its wells. While these contaminants have not violated drinking water standards, the township has since been making efforts to comply with the Department of Environmental Protection’s requirements while it puts into place a new $1.3 million temporary filtration system. Until this system is up and running, Moorestown has been buying the majority of its water from New Jersey American Water.
Hoping to help uncover the facts and ensure community safety, Brockovich will be eliciting the help of her water expert, Robert Bowcock, in her investigation. Bowcock will conduct an investigation and report his findings back to Brockovich for analysis.
“Approximately one year ago, in the fall of 2015, I first became aware of our township’s water issues, primarily the presence of 1,2,3 trichloropropane at the Church Street Well. Realizing that many residents, like myself, were unaware, I co-formed the Moorestown Water Group along with a number of other concerned residents,” Angelini said.
Upon researching drinking water quality issues, her reading is what led Angelini to numerous advocates, including Brockovich. She found the renown activist had an active Facebook page with many useful references to scientific studies and current events across the country regarding water issues.
Thus, Brockovich seemed like the perfect woman to assist with this issue, especially after her famous case against the Pacific Gas and Electric Company of California in 1993. This case, which ultimately led to the 2000 film “Erin Brockovich” starring Julia Roberts, sought to prove that groundwater in Hinkley, Calif., was seriously contaminated with carcinogenic hexavalent chromium, despite the company PG&E telling residents it instead used a safer form of chromium.
Brockovich’s efforts to expose water supply corruption closely aligns with the Moorestown Water Group’s goal to act as the activist group fighting to resolve the town’s water contamination issues. Brockovich’s previous work is what inspired Angelini to reach out in the first place.
After approximately nine months of reaching out to Brockovich via email once a month, giving her updates and by commenting on relevant postings on her Facebook page, Angelini received a response. Although she initially assumed her efforts to reach Brockovich were in vain, Angelini was pleased to hear back.
“She put us in contact with her water expert, Bob Bowcock [who will be reporting back to Brockovich.] He explained that he would begin to look into our water issues, and get back to us,” Angelini said. “After a few weeks, he did share that he would begin an investigation. To my knowledge, he is working with various state officials, and at the conclusion of his work, will share a report.”
Angelini explained that some members of council openly stated they felt the agenda of the Water Group was political, and that in response, the group felt unheard and frustrated; it also felt the township wasn’t being transparent with the public about the breadth and serious nature of water issues. Therefore, her emails to Brockovich ultimately became more of a call for help.
“[Brockovich] was among many people I reached out to. She certainly wasn’t the only person to respond and help us. However, her national reputation for advocacy will bring a much-needed viewpoint to our issues,” Angelini said. “I believe Erin and her team will not only bring an objective lens to our issues, but she will be a voice for those of us who feel unheard by our township.”
Upon learning of Brockovich’s involvement in Moorestown, Angelini recalls that community members have expressed shock, thrill, relief and disgust all at once. While some residents admitted they still didn’t know about these alleged water issues, others expressed disgust in feeling like the township officials had let this issue progress. Still, additional residents expressed hope the town could finally get the help needed to address the water issues.
While the Water Group and the residents Angelini recalled commenting may feel as though the township is to blame, Mayor Phil Garwood said he, nor other members of the town council, were ever contacted by Brockovich or Bowcock.
“Erin never reached out to the township to see what we are doing as far as our water quality,” Garwood said. “We have the safest water possible, and we are working very hard to ensure that the water the residents are drinking is and continues to be. I find the timing of their involvement right before the election to be highly suspect and politically motivated.”
However, Angelini remains open and focused on uncovering concerns regarding the town’s water supply.
“When I found out about the water issues, I knew it was something that I couldn’t ignore. I have made lifelong friends with these people who have the same goal as I, which is to get clean, contaminant-free water for our community,” Angelini said. “When I see officials saying brown water is ‘safe and clean,’ I know that residents need a voice.”
Angelini hopes the investigation alongside Brockovich will legitimize what the Moorestown Water Group has been saying for months — that the town has an issue, and that
repeatedly saying its water is safe and always has been is categorically false and fails to protect and serve residents. She also believes both Brockovich’s advice and recommendations, given her team’s expertise, will prove efficient and cost-effective.
“[Brockovich] is my hero because she is living proof that one person can make a difference. Her efforts years ago have resulted in a cascade of advocacy that has helped countless people,” Angelini said. “She fights tirelessly every day to help communities have a voice against those who may not put the community’s health as the top priority, and she has no political or financial agenda.”
Brockovich and Bowcock could not be reached for comment.
