Government > Departments > Water and Water Supply > 2004 Drinking Water Report

Annual Drinking Water Quality Report 2004

City of Albany - Department of Water and Water Supply
Published in 2005 with statistics for the year ending December 31, 2004

Mayor Gerald D. Jennings
Commissioner Robert F. Cross

Albany Water Board
Anthony J. Ferrara, Chairman

Albany Municipal Water Finance Authority
Joseph Montimurro, Chairman

35 Erie Boulevard, Albany, New York 12204
Phone: (518) 434-5300
Fax: (518) 434-5332

This statement complies with 10 NYCRR, Subpart 5-1.72 (e) to (i) and 40CFR Part 141, Subpart O.

Dear Customer:

We are pleased to provide you with our ninth Annual Water Supply Statement, as required by New York State Public Health Law and our fifth Consumer Confidence Report required under Federal Law. Once again, we are proud to report that Albany water continues to meet all applicable State and Federal water quality standards.

The City of Albany has one of the finest and most reliable water supply systems in the nation. Albany water continues to win top honors in taste tests, and our system remains the envy of communities throughout the Capital District and beyond. During a statewide competition Albany Water was judged to be the best tasting surface water in New York State.

Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on America, our way of doing business dramatically changed, with all Water Department facilities locked down in order to protect the drinking water for our more than 100,000 customers. This high level of security will continue indefinitely.

We also have made great strides in modernizing our system and in checking for hidden leaks, often found in older systems such as Albany, and which can result in tremendous waste of water. Thanks to the support of Mayor Jennings, the Department is the most technologically advanced water department in the Capital District, with a variety of new-sophisticated equipment. In addition, modern radio-read water meters have been installed throughout the City, providing greater accuracy and remote reading capability.

We are fortunate to have such a wonderful water system, and we remain committed to doing the best job possible so that generations yet to come will be able to rely upon the pure and abundant waters of Albany’s Alcove and Basic Creek Reservoirs.

Robert F. Cross
Commissioner

(Public Water Supply ID# 0100189)

Introduction

To comply with State regulations, the Albany Water Board 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 State drinking water health standards. We are proud to report that our system had no violations of a maximum contaminant level in the 2004-reporting year. 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 City of Albany, Department of Water and Water Supply, at 518-434-5300. We want you to be informed about your drinking water. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled Albany Water Board meetings. The meetings are held the third Thursday of each month, in the Mayor’s conference room, at 8:00 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 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.
Our water source is the Alcove Reservoir, which is surface water and is located on the Hannacroix Creek in the Town of Coeymans. This reservoir has a capacity of 13.5 billion gallons, an average depth of 25 feet and a maximum depth of 75 feet. The Basic Creek Reservoir, in the town of Westerlo, is a secondary source that may be used to augment flow into the Alcove Reservoir to maintain the Alcove elevation. During 2004, our system did not experience any restriction of our water usage.
The water receives treatment including, pre-oxidation, disinfection, addition of coagulants, sedimentation, pH and alkalinity adjustment, and filtration, at the Feura Bush Filtration Facility. Chlorine is added as a residual disinfectant to maintain microbiological quality throughout the Distribution System.

Facts and Figures

Our water system serves 101,000 residents and 29,000 properties. The total water produced in 2004 was 7,435,559,466 gallons. The daily water production equaled 20,483,635 gallons, with the highest daily production of 25,465,784 gallons. The amount of water delivered to the system was 7,337,197,151 gallons, allowing 44,739,000 gallons for filter washes and other filtration plant domestic use. The amount of water accounted for by metered use and water department use in the system was 4,969,978,000 gallons. In 2004, water customers were charged $1.71 per 100 cubic feet of water, which equals $2.29 per 1000 gallons.

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, lead and copper, volatile organic compounds, total trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, 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, should 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 Albany County Health Department at 518-447-4620.

Notes & Definitions:
* Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We test it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system. Our highest single turbidity measurement for the year occurred on various dates (0.06 NTU). State regulations require that turbidity must always be below 1.0 NTU. The regulations require that 100% of the turbidity samples collected have measurements below 1.0 NTU.
** The level presented represents the 90th percentile of the 51 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, 51 samples were collected at your water system and the 90th percentile value was the 0.06 mg/l with the highest detected value of 0.11mg/l. The action level for copper was not exceeded at any of the sites tested.
*** The level presented (12 ug/ l) represents the 90th percentile of the samples collected. The action level for lead was exceeded at three (3) of the 51 sites tested.
**** This level represents the running annual average calculated from data collected.
***** The state considers 50 pCi/l to be the level of concern for beta particles.
****** For people on severely restricted sodium diets.

• 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.
• Non-Detects (ND): Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.
• 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).
• Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of radioactivity in water.
• Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that the addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial 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 microbial contamination.

Non-Detected Contaminants:

According to state regulations, the Albany Water Board routinely monitors your drinking water for various contaminants. Your water is tested for inorganic contaminants, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper, volatile organic contaminants, synthetic organic contaminants, total trihalomethanes, and Haloacetic Acids. Additionally, your water is tested for coliform bacteria on a daily basis. The contaminants detected in your drinking water are included in the Table of Detected Contaminants.

What does this information mean?

As you can see by the table, our system had no violations in the reporting year 2004. We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below New York State requirements. It should be noted that the action level for lead was exceeded three (3) times. (The highest detected level was 26 ug/l.). Based on this exceedance we are required to present this information on lead in drinking water.
The City of Albany has implemented a program to minimize lead levels in your drinking water. This program includes; 1) the adjustment of the pH and alkalinity levels to minimize corrosion 2) the replacement of lead service lines as distribution lines are replaced and 3) public education. The department will be conducting lead and copper testing again in 2006.
“Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. 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. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your home’s water, you may wish to have your water tested and flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791).”

Is our water system meeting other rules that govern operations?

During 2004, our system was in compliance with applicable Local, State and Federal drinking water regulations: operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.

Information on Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is a microbial pathogen found in surface water and groundwater under the influence of surface water. Although filtration removes Cryptosporidium, the most commonly used filtration methods cannot guarantee 100 percent removal. During 2004, as part of our routine sampling, twelve (12) Alcove Reservoir samples were collected and analyzed for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Of these samples, zero (0) contained Cryptosporidium oocysts. Ingestion of Cryptosporidium may cause cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal infection. Symptoms of infection include nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Most healthy individuals can overcome disease within a few weeks. However, immuno-compromised people are at greater risk of developing life-threatening illness. We encourage immuno-compromised individuals to consult their health care provider regarding appropriate precautions to take to avoid infection. Cryptosporidium must be ingested to cause disease, and it may be spread through means other than drinking water.

Information on Giardia

Giardia is a microbial pathogen present in varying concentrations in many surface waters and groundwater under the influence of surface water. Giardia is removed/inactivated through a combination of filtration and disinfection or by disinfection. During 2004, as part of our routine sampling, twelve (12) Alcove Reservoir samples were collected and analyzed for Giardia cysts. Of these samples, no Giardia oocysts were detected. Ingestion of Giardia may cause giardiasis, an intestinal illness. People exposed to Giardia may experience mild or severe diarrhea, or in some instances no symptoms at all. Fever is rarely present. Occasionally, some individuals will have chronic diarrhea over several weeks or a month, with significant weight loss. Giardiasis can be treated with anti-parasitic medication. Individuals with weakened immune systems should consult with their health care providers about what steps would best reduce their risks of becoming infected with Giardiasis. Individuals who think that they may have been exposed to Giardiasis should contact their health care providers immediately. The Giardia parasite is passed in the feces of an infected person or animal and may contaminate water or food. Person to person transmission may also occur in day care centers or other settings where handwashing practices are poor.

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, 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).

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:

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:

System Improvements

In 2004 the Albany Water Board continued with upgrades to water system security. The Meter Replacement Project was completed. Improvements at the Feura Bush Filtration Plant included a new emergency generator and structural repairs to buildings. In 2004 repairs were made to the gatehouse facility at Six Mile Waterworks. In 2005 the Albany Water Board is continuing with upgrades to water system security.

Source Water Assessment Summary

The NYS DOH has completed a Source Water Assessment for the City of Albany’s Alcove and Basic Creek Reservoirs. This assessment found the due to the amount of pasture in the Alcove Reservoir assessment area there is a potential for protozoa contamination. There are no other notable contamination threats to the Alcove Reservoir. The Source Water Assessment found the due to the amount of pasture in the Basic Creek Reservoir assessment area there is a potential for protozoa contamination. The assessment also noted landfills north of the reservoir.

Although the Source Water Assessment noted the potential for protozoa contamination, the Albany Water Department tested monthly and found no protozoan contamination in the source water in 2004. Albany’s water is stringently protected and carefully monitored from its source, through treatment and distribution, to insure you receive safe drinking water.

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 concerning your drinking water. (518-434-5300)