Water Quality Report - American Water

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Source Water AssessmentThe New York State Department of Health hasissued Source Water Assessments for each wellon Long Island to evaluate the susceptibility topossible contamination by microbials, nitrates,pesticides and volatile organic contaminants(VOC’s) based on current land uses and waterpumping patterns.The report concluded that the majority of wellshad high susceptibility for nitrates and VOCs, butwere not highly susceptible to contamination bymicrobials or pesticides.It is important to note that high susceptibility doesnot mean that the well will become contaminated.However, it does indicate that the contaminant islikely to be present above ground within the areaof the well, and if released into the ground couldtravel down through the aquifer and reach the well.Long Island American Water conducts acomprehensive testing program for the presenceof hundreds of contaminants. If they are presentat levels above drinking water standards, thewater is either treated to remove the contaminantor the well is removed from service. We workclosely with the Nassau County Health Departmentto assure that water delivered to our customersmeets all drinking water standards, as the testresults in this pamphlet show.For more information about this report, pleasecontact Long Island American Water’s WaterQuality Manager at 516-596-4824.How is Your Water Treated?Our water supply is obtained from wells locatedthroughout our service area. The wells range indepth from about 30 feet to 1,100 feet, averaging500 feet. In our area of southwestern NassauCounty, the soil has a naturally high iron andmineral content. The water dissolves thesenaturally occurring minerals, and while theyare not health hazards, they can causediscolored water.Bacteriological pollutants are not usually presentin wells at the average depth of 500 feet and,consequently, water directly from the well isdrinkable. However, water treatment is required toprotect the water in the distribution system and tominimize discolored water conditions.Treatment consists of:1. Chlorination for bacteriological disinfection2. Lime to raise pH and minimize corrosivity towater mains and household plumbing3. Filtration to remove iron at six well locations4. Sodium silicate to stabilize (sequester)iron not removed by filtration5. Air strippers to remove volatile organics atone locationSystem ImprovementsIn 2011, we continued to make significant upgradesto our system and infrastructure.These improvements include:• Completed 39 Water Main Replacement Projects,with 28,400 feet of new pipe installed (more than5 miles), with some highlighted as follows:• Completed replacement of 2,900 feet of watermain in East Rockaway• Completed replacement of 4,000 feet of watermain in Malverne• Completed replacement of 2,000 feet of watermain in Oceanside• Completed replacement of 3,600 feet of watermain along Doughty Blvd in Inwood and Lawrence• Replaced the Reynolds Channel 16” underwatertransmission main from Lawrence toAtlantic Beach• Replaced 70 fire hydrants• Replaced 402 service lines• Installed 35 new service lines• Completed electrical equipment replacements andupgrades at various pump station locationsthroughout our service territory• Completed rehabilitation of Well #17-1 onTanglewood Rd in LakeviewImprovements planned for 2012 include:• Re-drill 14 wells at Pump Station #5in Hewlett• Replace 50 fire hydrants• Replace 375 service lines• Replace 25,000 feet of water main in variouslocations throughout the service territory• Begin construction of an Iron Removal FilterPlant at Pump Station #15 on Whitehall St.in Lynbrook• Complete design and construction plans for a newWell #20-2 on Terrace Place in Valley Stream• Replacement of Well #9-2A on Hendrickson Ave inValley Stream• Rehabilitation of the ground storage tanks atStation #13 in Baldwin• Complete Well 2-1A rehabilitation on ChautauquaAve in Lakeview
Do I Need to Take Special Precautions?To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S.EPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount ofcertain contaminants in water provided by publicwater systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administrationregulations establish limits for contaminants inbottled water, which must provide the sameprotection for public health.Drinking water, including bottled water, mayreasonably be expected to contain at least smallamounts of some contaminants. The presence ofcontaminants does not necessarily indicate thatwater poses a health risk. More information aboutcontaminants and potential health effects can beobtained by calling the Environmental ProtectionAgency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotlineat 1-800-426-4791.Although our drinking water meets all state andfederal regulations, some people may be morevulnerable to disease-causing microorganisms orpathogens in drinking water than the generalpopulation. Immuno-compromised persons such aspersons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy,persons who have undergone organ transplants,people with HIV/AIDS or other immune systemdisorders, some elderly, and infants can beparticularly at risk from infections. These peopleshould seek advice from their health care providerabout their drinking water.If you have questions, contact theNassau County Department of Health at 516-227-9692. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means tolessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium,Giardia and other microbial pathogens are availablefrom the Safe Drinking Water Hotlineat 1-800-426-4791.Substances Expected to be inDrinking WaterIn general terms, the sources of drinking water (both tap andbottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds,reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over thesurface of the land or through the ground, it dissolvesnaturally occurring minerals and can pick up substancesresulting from the presence of animals or fromhuman activities.Substances that may be present in sourcewater include:• Microbiological Contaminants: Such as viruses andbacteria, which may come from sewage treatmentplants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operationsor wildlife.• Inorganic Contaminants (IOC’s): Such as salts andmetals which can be naturally occurring or may resultfrom urban storm water runoff, industrial or domesticwastewater discharges, oil and gas production, miningor farming.• Pesticides and Herbicides (SOC’s): Which may comefrom a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.• Organic Chemical Contaminants (VOC’s): Includingsynthetic and volatile organic chemicals which are byproductsof industrial processes and petroleumproduction, and may also come from gas stations, urbanstorm water runoff and septic systems.• Radioactive Contaminants: Which can be naturallyoccurring or may be the result of oil and gas productionand mining activities.For more information about contaminants and potentialhealth effects, call the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotlineat 1-800-426-4791.Cryptosporidiosis & GiardiasisAlthough there have been no cases of Cryptosporidiosis inNassau County attributable to the water supply, we thoughtyou should be aware of the risks to people with severelyweakened immune systems. Cryptosporidiosis andGiardiasis are intestinal illnesses caused by microscopicparasites that can be transmitted a number of waysincluding through drinking water. Cryptosporidiosis can bevery serious for people with weak immune systems, such astransplant patients; individuals receiving chemotherapy ordialysis, and people with Crohn’s disease or HIV infection.Individuals who think they may have been exposed toCryptosporidiosis or Giardiasis should contact their healthcare providers immediately.Immuno-compromised patients who may have been advisedby their health care provider that they maybe at risk,especially when traveling, should observe the following:• One minute of boiling water at a rolling boil will killCryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia.• Drinking bottled water does not guarantee that the wateris free from Cryptosporidiosis or Giardiasis.Contact your health care provider about your options. If youhave questions, contact the Nassau County Department ofHealth at 516-227-9692.
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Water Quality Report - American Water

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