Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2006
Town of Erwin – Morningside Heights Water District
117 W. Water Street, Painted Post, NY 14870
(Public Water Supply ID#5001212)
To comply with State regulations, the Town of Erwin-Morningside Heights WD, will be annually issuing a report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources. Last year, your tap water met all State drinking water health standards. We are proud to report that our system has not violated a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality statement. This report provides an overview of last year’s water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards.
If you have any questions about this report or concerning your drinking water, please contact our Water Billing Clerk, Deborah Smith, at (607) 936-4645. We want you to be informed about your drinking water. If you want to learn more or have questions concerning this report, you may call or stop by our billing office in the Erwin Town Hall, located at 117 W. Water St., Painted Post, NY 14870. The office is open Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.
Where does our water come from?
In general, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activities. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: microbial contaminants; inorganic contaminants; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemical contaminants; and radioactive contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the State and the EPA prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The State Health Department’s and the FDA’s regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. The State Health Department provides an annual Source Water Assessment Program report summary. The revised report for 2005 was not available from the State Health Department. This information from the State will be printed in our 2006 Annual Water Quality Report.
Our water source is a groundwater source consisting of four wells at three different locations. The Industrial Park Well is located on St. Rte. 417. Wells #2 & #3 are on Morningside Drive in Gang Mills, and Well #4 is located on Canada Rd. The water is disinfected with a chlorine solution and fluoride is added for the prevention of dental caries. Finally a polyphoshate is added for the purpose of sequestering calcium and iron prior to distribution.
Facts and Figures
Our water system serves 1426 permanent metered connections. Based on the Comprehensive Plan 2010 Update (adopted February 2003) which documented an increase in the school age population and the 45+ year olds, a population of approximately 3481 is served. The total water produced in 2006 was 203,896,000 gallons. The daily average amount of water pumped and treated was 558,619 gallons, while the maximum amount of water produced in a single day was 1,342,000 gallons. The amount of water delivered to customers was 183,728,000 gallons. This leaves an unaccounted for total of 20,168,000 gallons. This water was used to flush mains, fight fires, and leakage accounts for the remaining 20.2 million gallons (9.9% of the total amount produced). In 2006, water customers were charged $ 1.40 per 100 /cubic feet of water.
Are there contaminants in our drinking water?
As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. These contaminants include: total coliform, inorganic compounds, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper, volatile organic compounds, and synthetic organic compounds. The table presented below depicts which compounds were detected in your drinking water. The State allows us to test for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old. It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or the NYSDOH – Hornell District Office at (607) 324-8371.
Water System Improvements
In 2006, the Town refurbished two of the wells, cleaning and regrouting them as a part of the regular maintenance program. A generator was installed for the first time at the Industrial Park well. The Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) automated system was updated to include the pressure reducing station for the Aurene Subdivision.
|
Table of Detected Contaminants |
|||||||
|
Contaminant |
Violation Yes/No |
Date of Sample |
Level Detected (Avg/Max) (Range) |
Unit Measure-ment |
MCLG |
Regulatory Limit (MCL, TT or AL) |
Likely Source of Contamination |
|
Inorganic Contaminants |
|||||||
|
Barium
|
No |
6/2006* |
.17 |
mg/l |
2 |
2 |
Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits. |
|
Nitrate as N
|
No |
6/2006* |
1.91 |
mg/l |
10 |
10 |
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits. |
|
Sulfate |
No |
6/2006* |
24 |
mg/l |
N/A |
250 |
Naturally occurring. |
|
Copper • ID Park |
No |
6/2001 |
.13 ( .15 / .30 ) ( .11 - .30 )
|
mg/l |
1.3 |
AL = 1.3 |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits; leaching from wood preservatives. |
|
Total Trihalomethanes • ID Park • Well #4 |
No No |
8/2004 8/2004 |
4.0 26.4 |
ug/l |
N/A |
80 |
By product of drinking water cholorination needed to kill harmful organisms TTHMs are formed when source water contains large amounts of organic matter. |
|
Carbofuran • Well #4 |
No |
9/2003 |
1.0 |
ug/l |
40 |
40 |
Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa |
|
Synthetic Organic Contaminants
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate |
No |
6/2006* |
<2.0 |
ug/l |
0 |
6 |
Used in plastic products such as polyvinyl chloride, plastic toys, vinyl upholstery, adhesives and coatings. Compound likely to be released to the environment during production and waste disposal of these products. Also used in inks, pesticides, cosmetics and vacuum pump oil. |
|
Tricholorethene • ID Park |
No |
8/2002 |
1.2 |
ug/L |
N/A |
5.0
|
Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories |
|
Total Trihalomethanes • ID Park |
No |
8/2004 |
2.0 |
ug/l |
N/A |
80 |
By product of drinking water cholorination needed to kill harmful organisms TTHMs are formed when source water contains large amounts of organic matter. |
|
Haloacetic Acids • ID Park |
No |
8/2004 |
1.0 |
ug/l |
N/A |
60 |
By-product of drinking water Chlorination |
|
Selenium |
No |
6/2006* |
2.8 |
Ug/l |
50 |
50 |
Discharge from petroleum and metal refineries, erosion of natural deposits, and discharge from mines |
*Composite sample Wells #2, 3, 4 and Industrial Park
Notes:
(1) – The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 10 samples collected. The action level for lead was not exceeded at any of the 10 sites tested.
(2) - The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 10 sites tested. A percentile is a value on a scale of 100 that indicates the percent of a distribution that is equal to or below it. The 90th percentile is equal to or greater than 90% of the copper values detected at your water system. In this case, 10 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the 1.03 mg/l value. The action level for copper was not exceeded at any of the sites tested.
Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
.Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one million parts of liquid (parts per million - ppm).
Micrograms per liter (ug/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one billion parts of liquid (parts per billion - ppb).
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water.
Millirems per year (mrem/yr): A measure of radiation absorbed by the body.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goarl (MRDLG): The level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
What does this information mean?
As you can see by the table, our system had no violations. We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State.
During 2006, our system was in compliance with applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.
Although our drinking water met or exceeded state and federal regulations, some people may be more vulnerable to disease causing microorganisms or pathogens in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health care provider about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, Giardia and other microbial pathogens are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
Although our system has an adequate amount of water to meet present and future demands, there are a number of reasons why it is important to conserve water:
¨ Saving water saves energy and some of the costs associated with both of these necessities of life;
¨ Saving water reduces the cost of energy required to pump water and the need to construct costly new wells, pumping systems and water towers; and
¨ Saving water lessens the strain on the water system during a dry spell or drought, helping to avoid severe water use restrictions so that essential fire fighting needs are met.
You can play a role in conserving water by becoming conscious of the amount of water your household is using, and by looking for ways to use less whenever you can. It is not hard to conserve water. Conservation tips include:
¨ Automatic dishwashers use 15 gallons for every cycle, regardless of how many dishes are loaded. So get a run for your money and load it to capacity.
¨ Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
¨ Check every faucet in your home for leaks. Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. Fix it up and you can save almost 6,000 gallons per year.
¨ Check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl. It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day from one of these otherwise invisible toilet leaks. Fix it and you save more than 30,000 gallons a year.
¨ Use your water meter to detect hidden leaks. Simply turn off all taps and water using appliances, then check the meter after 15 minutes. If it moved, you have a leak.
Closing
Thank you for allowing us to continue to provide your family with quality drinking water this year. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community. Please call our office if you have questions at (607) 936-4645.
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT CERTIFICATION FORM
Community Water System Name: Town of Erwin Morningside Heights Water District
Community Water System Address: 117 West Water Street, Painted Post, New York 14870
PWS ID#: 500 1212
The community water system named above hereby confirms that is Annual Water Quality Report has been distributed to customers (and appropriate notices of availability have been given). Further, the system certifies that the information contained in the report is correct and consistent with the compliance monitoring data previously submitted to the health department.
Certified by: Name: ELWIN TERWILLIGER
Title: CHIEF WATER PLANT OPERATOR
Phone #:(607) 962-3284 Date: April 25, 2007
Please indicate how your report was distributed to your customers: DATE:
x Annual Water Quality Report was distributed to bill-paying customers by mail.
Annual Water Quality Report was distributed to bill-paying customers by direct delivery
(Please specify the direct delivery method used.)
Hand delivered.
_______ Published in local paper (i.e., Penny Saver) that was directly delivered or mailed to all bill-paying customers.
Published in local municipal newsletter that was directly delivered or mailed.
____x__ Other (please specify) Posted in two (2) nursing homes and four (4) apartment complexes.
System does not have bill-paying customers.
For systems serving at least 100,000 persons, in addition to distributing your report using the methods described above, your Annual Water Quality Report must also be posted on the Internet.
Annual Water Quality Report is posted on the Internet at www.erwinny.org
Please indicate what “Good Faith” efforts were used to reach non-bill paying consumers. Those efforts included the following methods as recommended by the New York State Department of Health.
__X__ Posting the Annual Water Quality Report on the Internet at www.erwinny.org.
_____ Mailing the Annual Water Quality Report to postal patrons within the service area.
_____ Advertising the availability of the Annual Water Quality Report in the news media.
_____ Publication of the Annual Water Quality Report in a local newspaper.
_____ Posting the Annual Water Quality Report in public places (attach a list of locations).
__X__ Delivery of multiple copies to single-bill addresses serving several persons such as: apartments, businesses, and large
private employers.
_____ Delivery to community organizations.
Signed original on file