Cookie Definition

Cookies are a mechanism for maintaining continuity during a user's visit to a website. They allow data to be maintained for users' benefit as they navigate a site. This is referred to as "session" or "management" cookie. These cookies go away when you terminate your visit to the website as they are maintained only in your browser's active memory during your session.

Cookies may also be stored on your computer so that you can be recognized by a website on subsequent visits. They are read by the website that set them whenever you re-visit the website. They may store information about areas of the website you have visited before and any preferences or settings that need to be preserved for any subsequent visits to the website. As these cookies are stored on your computer's hard drive, they are often referred to as "persistent" cookies.

Choices about Cookies

You can configure your browser to accept all cookies, reject all cookies, or notify you when a cookie is set. (Each browser is different, so check the "Help" menu of your browser to learn how to change your cookie preferences.)

Also, shareware and freeware cookie management tools are readily available from various websites that allow users to selectively delete cookies or to run a background application that will automatically accept or reject cookies based on the user's specifications.

Cookies on This Website

Although, like many other websites, our site may at any time, in our discretion, use cookies to help us recognize visitors when they return to this website or as they move among the different portions of this site. We currently do not utilize cookies, or other tracking mechanisms, to collect personal or individually identifiable information.

Information That May Be Collected

If you do nothing during your visit to the East Orange Water Commission website but browse or download information, we may automatically collect and store the following information about your visit:

• The Internet Protocol (IP) address and domain name used, but not the email address. The IP address is a numerical identifier assigned either to your Internet Service Provider or directly to your computer. We use the IP address to direct Internet traffic to you
• The type of browser and operating system you used and your connection speed
• The date and time you visited this site
• The web pages or services you accessed at this site
• The website you visited prior to coming to this website

If during your visit to the East Orange Water Commission website you submit an online form or send an email, the following additional information will be collected:

• E-mail correspondence: the e-mail address and contents of the e-mail
• Forms: any information you volunteered on an online form

Types of Information

The information collected may not be limited to text characters and may include audio, video, and graphic information formats you send us. The information is retained in accordance with the East Orange Water Commission's policies. The East Orange Water Commission may use your email to respond to your message, to assist in obtaining information you have requested, to address issues you identify, to further improve our website, or to forward the email to another agency for appropriate action. Information provided on forms will be used for the specified purpose.

Why Collect Information

The information we collect or store is used to improve the content of our Web services and to help us understand how people are using our services. Additionally, the data we collect helps us route Web traffic and track down viruses and attacks against our site. Our website logs do not identify anyone personally, and we make no attempt to link them with the individuals that browse the East Orange Water Commission website.

Personal Information

Personal information is any piece of information or data about an individual that is readily identifiable to that specific individual. Examples of personal information include personal identifiers such as an individual's name, address, and phone number. A domain name or IP address is not considered personal information.

Only personal information that is voluntarily provided, through such activities as sending an e-mail or submitting an online form, may be collected. If you choose not to participate in these activities, your choice will in no way affect your ability to use any other feature of the East Orange Water Commission website.

Any personal information voluntarily provided to the East Orange Water Commission via e-mail or the online forms on the East Orange Water Commission website will be treated in the same manner as a letter delivered via the United States Postal Service to the East Orange Water Commission.

The collection of personal information requested from or volunteered by children on-line or by email will be treated the same as information provided by an adult.