Impact Report

COMPARISON OF WATER QUALITY OF MONROE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY WATER AND VILLAGE OF WEBSTER WATER

Webster Citizen Action League

7/1/2013

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

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 always enough 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, an article 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 QUALITY Each 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 Content Webster 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 more chorine 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 distribution system. 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 cancer and 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 is increased 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.

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 antiinflammatory 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.

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 longterm, 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 of Village 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.

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.