YORKTOWN CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT

ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT FOR 2010

1080 spillway road. shrub oak, NY 10588

public water supply # NY5903469

Introduction

        To comply with State and Federal regulations, the Yorktown Consolidated Water District annually issues 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 resources. This report provides an overview of last year’s water quality, including details about your sources of water, what it contains, and how it compares to State and Federal standards.

        This report provides and 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. Last year, your tap water met or exceeded all New York State and Federal drinking water health standards.

Where Does Our Water Come From?

      In general, the sources of drinking water (both tap and bottled) 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 in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activities.  Contaminants that may be present in source water include the following: 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 that 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.

During 2010, our major water sources were the Amawalk Reservoir, located in the Town of Somers and the Catskill Aqueduct in the Town of Cortlandt. Water at The Catskill and Amawalk Water Treatment Plants is treated with the following processes prior to distribution: pH adjustment, coagulation, filtration, chlorine disinfection, fluoridation, and corrosion control.  Water was also purchased from the Town of New Castle and sold to IBM Corporation in the Kitchawan section of Yorktown.  The Catskill pumping station on Old Crompond Road was maintained as an emergency water supply and not used in 2010.

The NYS DOH has evaluated the susceptibility of water supplies statewide to potential contamination under the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP), and their findings are summarized in the paragraphs below. It is important to stress that these assessments were created using available information and only estimate the potential for source water contamination. Elevated susceptibility ratings do not mean that source water contamination has or will occur for this potable water supply (PWS).  This PWS provides treatment and regular monitoring to ensure the water delivered to consumers meets all applicable standards.

This PWS obtains water from the New York City water supply system. Water either comes from the Catskill/Delaware watersheds west of the Hudson River and/or from the Croton watershed in Putnam and Westchester counties. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) implements a series of programs to evaluate and protect source water quality within these watersheds. Their efforts focus on three important program areas: the enforcement of strengthened Watershed Rules and Regulations; the acquisition and protection of watershed lands; and implementation of partnership programs that target specific sources of pollution in the watersheds.

Due to these intensive efforts, the SWAP methodologies applied to the rest of the state were not applied for this PWS. Additional information on the water quality and protection efforts in these New York City watersheds can be found at DEP's web site www.nyc.gov/dep/watershed.

This PWS obtains its water from both the Catskill/Delaware watersheds west of the Hudson and the Croton watershed in Putnam and Westchester counties. The main water quality concerns associated with land cover in these watersheds are agriculture and residential land uses which can contribute microbial contaminants, pesticides, and algae producing nutrients. There are also some concerns associated with wastewater, but advanced treatments which reduce contaminants are in place for most of these discharges. Additionally, the presence of other discrete facilities, such as landfills, chemical bulk storages, etc. could lead to some local impacts on water quality, but significant problems associated with these facilities are unlikely due to the size of the watershed and surveillance and management practices. In addition, the shallow nature of the Croton reservoirs, along with excess algae nutrients and the presence of wetlands in the watershed, contribute to periods of elevated water color and disinfection by-product precursor levels.

Facts and Figures

            Our water system serves approximately 36,000 people and has approximately 9,909 service connections. In 2010, the Water District purchased approximately 1,229 million gallons of water and sold 867 million gallons of water to metered customers in the towns of Yorktown, Cortlandt and Somers.  The daily average amount of water treated and delivered to our customers was approximately 2.30 million gallons per day.  This leaves 388 million gallons of water unaccounted for during the year, which is about 30% of the total amount purchased.   Water that is unaccounted for was primarily lost during our semi-annual flushing program, used to fight fires, and was lost from water main breaks and through leakage.

                 In 2010, most water customers were charged a minimum charge of $45.00 per four-month billing period for the first 9,000 gallons of water and $5.00 per 1,000 gallons above the minimum (out of district customers paid double this amount). The rate of penalty charge for late payment of water charges was 10% per four month period. The average annual water charge per was $554 per household.

 Water Supply And Treatment Security

                Since September 11, 2001, security in and around the water treatment plants and water storage areas was increased including better fencing, locks and surveillance equipment, increased visual inspections and patrols of all facilities.

System IMprovements

      In 2010 the following projects were completed: two of the seven water storage tanks were inspected, completing the inspection program, forty new fire hydrants were installed, failing galvanized water lines in Croton Heights were replaced with new water mains and several hundred existing fire hydrants were painted.  In addition, both fall and spring hydrant flushing programs were performed.

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, turbidity, inorganic compounds, nitrate, nitrite, volatile organic compounds, total trihalomethanes, and synthetic organic compounds. Table 1 describes which parameters 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.   Substances not detected in water samples are listed in the paragraph entitled “non-detected substances and the frequency of testing.” Copies of all of the test results listed in Tables 1 and the non-detected substances, compiled as the “Annual Water Quality Report Supplement,” are available for examination at the Yorktown Water District office, the Shrub Oak Library and the NWJWW.

            The Yorktown Water District has a “biofilm variance” from the Westchester County Health Department whereby we do not go to public notification in the event that we ever have more than two positive coliform test results in any month. This is only for “biofilm” growth bacteria. Biofilm is a growth of “harmless” coliform bacteria commonly found in water distribution mains. To obtain this variance, the Yorktown Consolidated Water District had to conduct a special sampling project to demonstrate that our distribution water is free from “harmful” bacteria and we passed!

        It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of 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 at (800-426-4791) and www.epa.gov/safewater or the Westchester County Department of Health at (914) 813-5000 and www.westchester.gov/health.

What Does This Information Mean?

                Our drinking water quality met or exceeded state and federal regulations for 2010. Although a few contaminants were detected by our testing, however, their concentrations were below the levels determined by the State and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to cause health concerns. 

Table 1 – Detected Substances

1              This concentration presented represents the 90^th percentile of the 31 sites tested for copper in 2008. 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 90^th percentile is equal to or greater                than 90% of the copper values detected at your water system.  This value was 0.122 mg/L. The action level was not exceeded         at any of the sites tested.

2              This concentration represents the 90^th percentile of the 31 sites tested for lead in 2008.   This value was <1.0 mg/L.  The action     level was not exceeded at any of the sites tested.

3              People on severely restricted sodium diets should not consume water containing more than 20 mg/L of sodium. Water containing            more than270 mg/L of sodium should not be used by people on moderately restrictive sodium diets.

4              Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. All values measured must be below 5 NTU.

5              Turbidity is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. This value is the highest single combined filter                measurement.    At least 95% of the samples collected must be below 0.30 NTU.

6              THMs are formed when source water contains large amounts of organic matter.                

7              This is a quarterly composite sampling from both the Amawalk and Catskill water treatment plants. 

8              The State considers 50 pCi/L to be a level of concern for Beta particels.

Definitions for Table 1:    
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water.        N/A: Not Applicable

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 that a water system must follow.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of the clarity of water.  Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.

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).

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 microbiological contaminants.

Maximum Residual disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a 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 microbiological contamination.

Do I Need to Take Special Precautions?

                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, persons 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 EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

                                The information summarized in Table 1 shows that our distribution system had no MCL violations.  We have learned that one contaminant, lead, was detected in the first draw water of several residences that were sampled, although it was below the MCL in all cases. No lead was detected when the water was allowed to run for one minute before sampling. We present the following required statement on lead in drinking water for your information:

                “If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women, infants, and young children. It is possible that lead levels at your home may be higher than at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home’s plumbing. The Yorktown Water District is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.”

             The amount of copper that we detected was generally low and in all cases was below the MCL. The government’s general health precaution on copper states that people who drink water containing excess copper could experience gastrointestinal distress and that people with Wilson’s Disease should consult their personal doctor if they believe that they have ingested an excess amount of copper.

inFORMATION ON FLUORIDE ADDITION

                Our system is one of the many drinking water systems in New York State that provides drinking water with a controlled, low level of fluoride for consumer dental health protection.  According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, fluoride is very effective in preventing cavities when present in drinking water at an optimal range from 0.8 to 1.2 mg/l (parts per million).   To ensure that the fluoride supplement in your water provides optimal dental protection, the State Department of Health requires that we monitor fluoride levels on a daily basis.  During 2010 monitoring showed fluoride levels in your water varied from 0.59 to 1.47 mg/L and were in the optimal range 90 % of the time.   None of the monitoring results showed fluoride at levels that approach the 2.2 mg/l MCL for fluoride.

Why Save Water and How to Avoid Wasting It?

        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 needed to treat and deliver the water;

        *Saving water reduces the need to construct costly new sources, pumping systems and water storage reservoirs; 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.

Non-Detected Substances and the Frequency of Testing

According to State regulations, the following lists of substances (along with test frequencies) were tested for in your drinking water and not detected. Bromoacetic acid and Bromoform were tested quarterly from four sites. Antimony, arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cyanide, iron, mercury, nitrite, selenium, silver, thallium and zinc were tested for annually. Bromochloromethane, bromomethane, carbon tetrachloride, chloroethane, chloromethane, dibromomethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, 1,1-dichlorrethane, 1,2-dichloroetnane, 1,1-dichloroethene, cis-1, 2-dichlroethene, trans-1, 2-dichloroethene, 1,2-dichloropropane, 1,3-dichloropropane, 2,2-dichloropropane, 1,1-dichloropropene, cis-1, 3-dichloropropene, trans-1, 3-dichlroprpene, methylene chloride, 1,1,1,2-tetrachlorosthane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachlroethane, tetrachloroethene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethene, trichlorofluoromethane, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, vinyl chloride, benzene, bromobenzene, n-butylbenzene, sec-butylbenzene, tert-butylbenzene, chlorobenzene, 2-chlorotoluene, 4-chlorotoluene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, ethyl benzene, hexachlorobutadiene, isopropylbenzene, p-isopropyltoluene, napthalene, n-propylbenzene, styrene, toluene, 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trichloromethylbenzen, p&m-xylene, o-xylene, methyl t-butyl ether, methyl isobutyl ketone, 1,2-dibromoethane, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, aldrin, dieldrin, chlordane, endrin, heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, lindane, methoxychlor, toxaphene, proachlor, PCB’s, 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, silvex, dalapon, dicamba, dinoseb, pentachlorophenol, pichloram, alachlor, atrazine, simazine, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclopentadiene, benzo(a)pyrene, di (2-ethylexyl) adipate, di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, aldicarb sulfoxide, aldicarb sulfone, oxamyl, methomyl, 3-hydroxycarbofuran, aldicarb, carbofuran, carbaryl, glyphosate, and Diquat were tested annually.  

How Can I Conserve My Water?

Know how much water your household uses, and look for ways to use less whenever you can:

*Automatic dishwashers use about 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 and when shaving.

*Check every faucet in your home for leaks.  Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day.  Fix it 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 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, and then check the meter after 15 minutes. If it moved, you have a leak.

Thank you for allowing us to provide your family with quality drinking water. Yorktown has a permanent Water Conservation Law. Copies are available at the Water District Office, 1080 Spillway Road, Shrub Oak and at the Town Hall, 363 Underhill Avenue, Yorktown Heights, and at the Northern Westchester Joint Water Works, 2065 East Main Street, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567.

We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community and our way of life. If you have questions concerning your drinking water, please don’t hesitate to call us at (914) 737-5380.