water report - quality

7/27/2019 Water Report - Quality

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Impact Report

COMPARISON OF WATER QUALITY OF

MONROE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY

WATER AND VILLAGE OF WEBSTER

WATER

Webster Citizen Action League

7/1/2013


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SUMMARY

It is to the consumers advantage to choose the highest quality water. Given the choice,

deep source well water offers greater water quality protections and better health benefits.

BACKGROUND

The Village of Webster (Village) is the last independent supplier of well water in Monroe

County. Over the years, the Village has engaged multiple studies of its water supply. The

most recent studies occurred from 2010-2012. Initiating the process was a citizens Water

Committee which presented its report at the end of 2010 into the various options

available for the Village. In 2011, the Village water department recommended further

detailed study into the option of a reverse osmosis system. In 2011, presentations were

made regarding the reverse osmosis system, the Village well fields, and the operations of

the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA). In 2012, action by the Village Board

resulted in retaining the existing system. A turnover in Village Board membership in

2013 resulted in a motion to enter into negotiations with MCWA.

SOURCE AND PROCESSING OF WATER - VILLAGE

Village water is drawn from the Irondo-Genesee Aquifer, which is located near Webster's

western boundary some 300 feet below the ground. The aquifer's water lies under layers

of clay, sand and gravel. The well field is capable of providing Webster with

approximately 5 million gallons of water per day. Treated and tested water travels from

the wells through a completely enclosed distribution system consisting of 12 and 24 inch

transmission mains to three enclosed storage tanks and then directly to the customers.

These storage tanks have a 4.5 million gallon capacity, which is more than the average 3

million gallons per day used in Webster. During peak demand times, such as hot summer

days, daily water consumption can be as high as three million gallons.

Each of Webster's wells are constructed to meet all of New York State Health

Department requirements. This includes placing cement around the well to prevent the

infiltration of contaminants. On a routine basis, the Village has the wells cleaned and

disinfected. Even with the inherent purity of the aquifer, Webster complies with the State

Health Department's extensive testing requirements to ensure water safety


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SOURCE AND PROCESSING OF WATER - MCWA

MCWA water is drawn from an intake located one and a half miles out into Lake

Ontario. The water then passes through heavy screens to keep out fish and remove debris

before it is pumped to the Shoremont Water Treatment Plant.

Once it arrives at the plant, the water goes through flash mixers where alum and

polymer are added. These clumping agents make any dirt and bacteria in the water stick

together to form larger clumps of material called floc. After the flash mixers the water

travels into the contact basins, large pools of water where the floc gets some time to form.

Some of the floc sinks to the bottom there but most of the floc gets removed at the filters,

the next step in the process. The floc particles are filtered out of the water by passing it

through granular activated carbon and sand.

MCWA stores water in huge tanks all over our service area to make sure there is alwaysenough water at peak demand times. A total of 143 million gallons is stored.

Technicians test the water regularly.

SOURCE WATER COMPARISONS

There is significant published information on possible contamination risks in water drawn

from wells and from surface sources. However, the literature on well contamination is

almost entirely concerned with surface wells, those that draw water in depths from 60

feet to 100 feet. These shallow wells are influenced by incursions of surface water. Below

the 100 foot depth there is little documented instances of contamination.

As was mentioned previously, Webster water is taken from wells at a depth of about 300

feet.

Local surface water contamination is well documented. For instance, two streams in the

Town of Webster, Mill Creek and Shipbuilders Creek are listed as moderately impacted

(NYSDEC Division of Water, Water Basin Map). The state of Shipbuilders Creek has

resulted in a specific action plan, the Shipbuilders Creek Stormwater Assessment and

Action Plan (Monroe County Department of Environmental Services). Recently, anarticle in the Democrat and Chronicle (July 2, 2013) cited efforts by Senator Schumer to

clean up contaminated local Lake Ontario water that causes numerous and frequent beach

closures threats from water for those that might swim in it.

The Rochester embayment the lower Genesee River and the near-shore

waters of Lake Ontario from Webster to Parma is one of 29 areas of

concern on the U.S. side of the lakes that have not been remediated to the

point where they can be removed from the [restoration initiative].


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This is the same area that MCWA water is drawn from.

It is probably this fact that resulted in the conclusion reached over 10 years ago in the

Town of Webster Water Report that in the perception of users the Village supply is a

safer source of water.

COMPARISONS OF WATER QUALITYEach water supplier is required to file an annual water quality report and each report

includes a table of contaminates. The final water consumed for each system was in

compliance with all applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting

requirements. However, several points require further exploration.

1)Biological contaminates

Webster water is free from bacteriological contaminates. Zero (0) samples taken were

found to have coliform bacteria. MCWA did report the presence of coliform bacteria

(though within compliance).

2)Minerals/Radionuclides ContentWebster water contains elevated (though within compliance) amounts of sodium.

Those people that have sensitivity to sodium may have vulnerabilities to Webster

water. It also contains very low levels of radionuclides typically found in ground

water. It is important to note that these levels of radionuclides are below those found

in the basements of most homes. Residual chlorine related disinfectant contaminates

are found in both waters but in much higher amounts in MCWA water since morechorine is required to sanitize MCWA water.

3) Pharmacological contaminates

MCWA contains four tested pharmacological contaminates not present in Webster

water: Caffeine, Cotinine, Triclosan and Xylenes. While the presence of these

contaminates are in compliance at present, it is important to note that caffeine is a

leading indicator of sewage in water (see Use of Caffeine and Human Pharmaceutical

Compounds to Identify Sewage Contamination, 2008). There have been reports of raw

sewage discharge in Irondequoit Bay (see RAW SEWAGE Irondequoit Bay,

10/16/2011, editorial in D&C 6/18/2013, Irondequoit Post 7/18/2009). Cotinine is an

alkaloid found in tobacco and is also a metabolite of nicotine; its presence is related to

finding caffeine in water. Triclosan is found in a variety of products, and in nature

can degrade and form dioxin. It can remain in sediment for decades. It is presently

being reviewed by the FDA after finding negative exposure effects in animals. The


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major sources of xylenes in drinking water are petroleum discharges; excessive

qualities over many years can cause nervous system damage.

TASTE AND SMELL CHLORINE CONCERNS

Village water, being drawn from a deep source aquifer, is free of biological contaminates.

Small amounts of chlorine is added to the water since it must pass through a distributionsystem. MCWA water, however, has far higher amounts of chlorine residuals (see water

quality reports); MCWA adds far more chlorine to their water. There are numerous

documented complaints of MCWA water smelling strongly of chlorine, especially in the

summer months. Testing of MCWA water has shown content at 1.3 ppm. At a level of

4.0 ppm people will become immediately, physically ill. Chlorine in Village water is

around .1 ppm. A study (American Journal of Public Health) found that people who

regularly drink water containing high levels of chlorine by-products have a greater risk of

developing certain cancers. The study estimates that about 9 percent of all bladder cancerand 18 percent of all rectal cancer cases are associated with long-term consumption of

these by-products.The President's Council on Environmental Quality states that "there isincreased evidence for an association between rectal, colon and bladder cancer and the

consumption of chlorinated drinking water." A study conducted in Connecticut found that

women with breast cancer have 50-60 percent higher levels of chlorine by-products in

their breast tissue than cancer-free women. A California study found that pregnant

women who drank large amounts of tap water with high chlorine residuals had an

increased risk of miscarriage.

EFFECT ON PLUMBING

Monroe County water is considered hard to moderately hard; Village Water is considered

hard to very hard. It is unclear if the difference in hardness will result in a major

improvement in plumbing issues. Hardness issues are most pronounced where the

plumbing is cast iron. Copper and PVC pipes do not exhibit the same tendencies as cast

iron and are less likely to suffer negative effects of mineral precipitates in hard water.

However, softer water is known to lead to greater lead incursions in household water.

Many MCWA customers continue to soften their water. Though MCWA notes that a

water softener isn't necessary for water with moderate hardness many Monroe County

homes maintain water softeners and water equipment and suppliers sell a significant

number of appliances to customers outside of the Village of Webster. This is likely

because MCWA water is variously defined as moderately hard or hard.


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Webster water may play a more significant adverse role in more vulnerable appliances

such as unattended water heaters, dish washers, coffee makers and ice makers. In each of

these cases, actions can be taken to minimize any deterioration from hard water (see

Village of Webster tips on hard water). The need to clean appliance and drain water

heaters regularly is lessened with MCWA.

OTHER EFFECTS

The effect on hair and skin of hard water is difficult to quantify. Water that is too soft can

result in itchy skin from soap residue. Hard water can cause similar affects, but the range

between too hard and too soft often involves complicated factors such as the persons

natural skin moisture, the type of soap used and the method used to get rid of soap

residue. Softer water has been linked to hair loss but hard water has been linked to hair

that is less shiny. In almost all cases, the soap/shampoo chosen has a greater impact on

hair and skin than the hardness of the water.

Hard water, water with dissolved irons, does seem to have an effect on the brightness of

light colors and over time will tend to discolor them. However, softer water, high on

chlorine, has the effect on fading dark colors. Village water does contain dissolved iron.

The effect of hard water on whites can be mitigated. It appears to be more difficult to

alleviate the effect of higher chlorine content on dark colors. MCWA water has higher

amounts of chlorine.

THE BENEFITS OF MINERAL WATER

MCWA water and Village water both contain dissolved minerals, but Village water has

higher amounts that rank it with some of the best types of mineral water (see Village of

Webster, the Benefits of Mineral Water).

Village water, like most mineral water does not contain any added chemicals, and is

completely natural and free from preservatives. The naturally occurring minerals remain

intact in mineral water. Mineral water assists in fortifying calcium, magnesium, sulfates,

iron, sodium, zinc, potassium and chloride.

Water high in minerals has been shown to forestall tooth decay and can provide anti-

inflammatory properties. People suffering from joint pain and swelling are often advised

to drink mineral water. The constituents of mineral water also promote cardiovascular

health by decreasing bad cholesterol (LDL) levels and can greatly reduce the risk of

suffering from uric acid kidney stones.


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CONCLUSION

By the mid 1900s, many growing communities in Monroe County were experiencing a

water crisis. Rochester city water, with a long history of supply stretching back to the

early 19th

century was unable to provide sufficient supply to towns like Brighton,

Pittsford, Greece and Gates. These communities had relied on shallow, surface wells or

stream sources for water. By the 1930s it was increasing clear that source supply of that

type could not be maintained. MCWA was formed and capitalized to provide water to

those areas that could not drill deep wells. Those communities had no choice but to join

MCWA supply: for them MCWA was the better alternative. Communities with the

capacity to supply their own well water were not involved in the creation of MCWA.

These communities continued to supply their own water until either population growth

(Fairport) or close source contamination (East Rochester) made that option difficult.

Due to the Town of Webster leaving the Village system, removing consumer pressure,and the lack of any contamination at the source water supply, the Village of Webster has

been able to supply safe, healthy water. In fact, the evidence shows that the source water

supply for Village water is much less prone to any noxious contamination. The evidence

actually shows that the source of MCWA water has a far greater degree of risk.

The presence of pharmacological contaminates is perhaps the greatest concern as long-

term, on-going studies of the effects of many of these are just beginning. We simply do

not know what long-term risk is implied in drinking these substances, especially on

children and especially with regards to hormone balance. However, the consumption ofVillage water totally avoids that risk.

With regards to the effect on vulnerable appliances, laundry, hair and skin, Village water

being hard does require its consumers to take certain actions in draining, cleaning and

maintaining these systems. However, MCWA water presents some challenges for

instance with the fading of dark color clothes. With a far older housing stock, softer water

may also create lead hazards in some Village homes. It appears to be a virtual toss-up for

these factors.

Government, at its most basic function is responsible for the health of its citizens. When

looking at the totality of all issues involving MCWA water and Village water, this

responsibility for health is the overriding issue that should guide Village government.

Village of Webster water is a healthier water supply, less prone to contamination, and

less prone to risk.


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Unlike most communities in Monroe County, Village customers have a choice of water

supply. Before any change of water supply is contemplated, Village residents should be

well informed of the potential health issues. Armed with this knowledge, the

preponderance of opinion will likely be to remain with Village of Webster Well Water.

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