Water Sampling Report

VILLAGE OF ALTAMONT

Department of Public Works

Timothy McIntyre, Supt.

December  2004

Dear Village Water Customer;

The Village of Altamont water system is a rather complex system being as it produces both ground water and surface water or a combination of each. Due to the fact that our primary water source is reservoir surface water we are subject to strict regulations by the New York state Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Recently we completed our forth quarter sampling schedule for TTHM's(Trihalomethanes) and HAA5's (Haloacedic Acids) which are prevalent in surface water systems. These compounds are produced as a bi-product when the organic components of filtered surface water are disinfected using Chlorine. Our most recent sample came back with elevated counts slightly above the allowable MCL.  When our MCL (Maximum Contaminate Level) exceeds the allowable level set by the EPA we are required to give our water customers notification.

This correspondence presents no reason to be alarmed. The level of contaminates in our most resent samples just put us over the threshold of the EPA’s acceptability range and by no means puts our customers in any danger. The levels detected were derived from a spike in the chemistry of the reservoir water. Water from our reservoir system changes with the seasons therefore as do our sample numbers, so when this occurs within the system we are unaware until we receive our sample results.

The village water system is unique in the capacity that we have the ability to successfully make the necessary process control changes to rectify this situation. If you have any question or need further information feel free to contact me at 861-8554. You may also contact Tom Brady from the Albany County Health Dept. @ 447-4620.

The following is required Health Effects Language mandated by the US EPA:

Trihalomethanes are a group of chemicals that includes chloroform, bromoform,bromodichloromethane, and chlorodibromomethane. Trihalomethanes are formed in drinking water during treatment by chlorine, which react with certain acids that are naturally-occurring organic material (e.g., decomposing vegetation such as tree leaves, algae or other aquatic plants) in surface water sources such as rivers and lakes. The amount of trihalomethanes in drinking water can change from day to day, depending on the temperature, the amount of organic material in the water, the amount of chlorine added, and a variety of other factors. Drinking water is disinfected by public water suppliers to kill bacteria and viruses that could cause serious illnesses. Chlorine is the most commonly used disinfectant in New York State. For this reason, disinfection by chlorination is beneficial to public health.

 Some studies suggest that people who drink chlorinated water (which contain trihalomethanes) or water containing elevated levels of trihalomethanes for long periods of time may have an increased risk for certain health effects. For example, some studies of people who drank chlorinated drinking water for 20 to 30 years show that long term exposure to disinfection bi-products (including trihalomethanes) is associated with an increased risk for certain types of cancer. A few studies of women who drank water containing trihalomethanes during pregnancy show an association between exposure to elevated levels of trihalomethanes and small increased risks for low birth weights, miscarriages and birth defects. However, in each of the studies, how long and how frequently people actually drank the water, as well as how much trihalomethanes the water contained in not known for certain. Therefore, we do not know for sure if the observed increases in risk for cancer and other health effects are due to trihalomethanes or some other factor. The individual trihalomethane chloroform, bromodichloromethane and dibromochloromethane cause cancer in laboratory animals exposed to high levels over their lifetimes. Chloroform, bromodichloromethane and dibromochloromethame are also known to cause effects in laboratory animals after high levels of exposure, primarily on the live, kidney, nervous system and on their ability to bear healthy offspring. Chemicals that cause adverse health effects in laboratory animals after high levels of exposure may pose a risk for adverse health effects in humans exposed to lower levels over long periods of time.

 For more information contact:

 American Water Works Association

 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Respectfully,

Timothy J. McIntyre

Supt. of Public Works