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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTB Correspondence 1986 • Town of Ithaca — Elmira Road • Individual Water Supply Survey January 24, 1986 Tompkins County Health Department • Suzanne Stopen, R. N. , M. P. S., Public Health Director John M. Andersson, P. E. , Director of Environmental Health James M. Morris, Sr. Sanitarian, Survey Coordinator/Report Editor Lori Anne Koch, Student Assistant, field work/report preparation • i • This report is a compilation of data collected from an individual water supply survey in the Town of Ithaca conducted by the Tompkins County Health Department during the period of January 15, 1.9,86 through January 24, 1986. The area surveyed extends from New York State Route''°lI3 (Elmira Road) from Bartlett's Water Bed Outlet (public water currently ends at Buttermilk Falls State Park) to Turback's Restaurant, and also included New York State Route 13A (Five Mile Drive, Floral Avenue) from Route 13 to just below Coy Glen Road (public water currently ends at Coy Glen Road) and Seven Mile Drive up to Collegeview Mobile Home Park. See the attached map for the survey area. The survey was conducted by the Health Department to assess the current individual water supply situation in this area which is both residential and commercial. The Health Department is charged with safeguarding 'the county's environment and consequently responded to the various questions and complaints concerning water quality and quantity from property—owners in this survey area. During the survey, area residents were contacted at home in person by a Health Department representative. Notes were also left at properties when no one was in, with instructions to contact the HealthDeRaftment to arrange an appointment for an on—site interview and inspection of.theiYiaCer system. Respondents were asked questions concerning their well (or other water source), its "history" (if there was any previous bacteriologic contamination -or- quantity problem) , water usage and current problems. They were .also. asked if they would want public water to be made available to the area. When possible, sanitary surveys 'of the water source were ' conducted to determine if sources were properly developed and protected. Due to _ inclement weather and the fact that many area wells are completely underground, only 10 out of 34 wells could be inspected. The Health Department was concerned mostly with assessing the quality and r.. quantity of area water. Quality issues included both aesthetic and health—related problems. - While aesthetic problems (sulfur smell, hardness, — etc.) are undesirable. ' and may keep people from drinking their water (and force them to bring in bottled water from outside sources), they pose no direct health risk. Bacteriological contamination, on the other hand, indicates a potential health risk and at worst possible sewage contamination of ,groundwater. Quantity problems reflect a well's . usefulness. If widespread throughout an area, serious water shortages can prevent property development and encourage people to seek off—site sources of water which is both an inconvenience and potential health risk. Thirty—seven properties were surveyed which are served by 34 water systems.. (Thirty—three people were interviewed, one person owns four properties, one owns two properties) . Included were 23 residences (this includes the 24 unit mobile home park and the 4 family apartment building) each as one "residence" and 14 non—residences (including the motels). Water sources included 28 drilled wells, 2 dug wells and 4 springs. Three properties surveyed had no functional wells. Of these three properties, the first was serviced in the past by a neighbor's supply which was serving several properties, but this was cut off when the supplier decided to eliminate his liability (from public water regulations) caused by his supplying water to others. This resident brings in bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes and showers at a -- swimming pool club she belongs to. The .resident of the second property on Five Mile Drive has tried twice, unsuccessfully, to drill a well, but each time the wells immediately collapsed and filled in with sand. She can occupy the house only, in the . summer when she connects a hose to a neighbor's water supply. This connection is not feasible' in the winter due to freezing temperatures. The third property is not a • residence (Immaculate Conception4Gurch/Graveyard on Five Mile Drive) , but there is a kitchen on the premises for the workers. They bring in bottled water for drinking ' and cooking purposes, and there is no bathroom for the workers due to lack of water. Two properties at 713 and 715 Elmira Road could not be surveyed. They are vacant due to lack of sufficient water. • Population Served Residential Business Private Home Residents: 132 Motels (Max. Capacity): 150/night. Trailer Park Residents: 80 Food Service (Patrons): ' 100/night Total Residents: 212 Stores/Highway Department: 89/day . Total Workers/Transient: 339 ' (The motels reach full capacity • between 2 and S times a year.) Treatment - - - . • - A total of 16 sources (47% of all sources) have'oue or more. forms of y" treatment. The distribution is as follows: Treatment Systems • 4r Chlorinator 3 . - Softener 11 •, Iron Removal 1 Mineral/Particle Filter 2. Aerator 0 • . Activated Carbon Filter .0 • ' Chlorinators are used to disinfect (kill bacteria) and to control taste and odor problems. Two of the three systems are chlorinated due to previous bacteriological contamination. This includes Collegeview Mobile Home Park which, as a community water supply, is required to chlorinate its water. The other forms of treatment listed correct aesthetic problems. Softeners .often render water undesirable to drink due to high sodium in treated water. Several residents reported unpalatable softened water. Storage (greater than 100 gallons)- - • Eight of the 14 business properties surveyed have a storage tank of a size larger than 100 gallons (none of the residential properties do) . Two of these have storage tanks due to reported_quantity problems. One of these two has a storage tank in conjunction with a chlorinator. Chlorinating into storage is • often done to ensure complete disinfection by providing sufficient chlorine contact time and,mixing of the chlorine with water. 4 • _ 3 _ Reported Problems Type(s) # of Systems (out of possible 34) 1. Problems potentially affecting health 8 (bacterial, developmental, quantity) 2. Problems affecting aesthetics 17 (color, smell, taste, hardness, iron) 3. Both health and aesthetics problems 2 Total 27 A total of 27 water sources (79%) reported quality problems. Three (9%) sources have a bacteriological problem which is a potential health risk. These 3 include the Millbrook store (they do not drink the water), Lil's Economy Motel (which must install a chlorinator prior to reopening) , and a residence on Seven Mile Drive. Six (18%) systems have quantity problems — 3 of these problems are seasonal; 3 do not have enough water during the entire year. Many residents surveyed feel they have enough water only because they are very conservative with their water usage. Bacteriological Water Quality Histories • It has been the policy of the Tompkins County Health Department to sample private water sources for suspected bacteriological contamination and to routinely monitor public water systems. Public systems are defined by. the • Tompkins County Sanitary Code as any business, school or apartment dwelling with 5 or more units, and defined by Part 5 of the New York State Sanitary Code as any system regularly serving an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year, or having 5 or more service connections. Of 18 water sources (14 businesses, 4 residences) for which the Health Department has sampling records, 5 businesses and 1 residence (33%) have had an unsatisfactory water sample (coliform bacteria present) within the past 5 years. Collegeview Mobile Home Park had three boil water notices posted in 1984 and 1985, Lil's Economy Lodge had two in 1985 due to unsatisfactory bacteriological water samples. These notices involve public notification that the water on the premises is unsafe to drink. Desirability of Public Water 28 property owners of the 33 residents/property owners surveyed, or 85%, would be interested in having public water brought to the area. 5 of those surveyed, or 14%, would not. One of those surveyed that would not be interested would have been interested in 1985 but has recently spent $6,000 to drill a 400 feet deep well. The cost of extending and maintaining public water is of concern to nearly all of the residents and business people surveyed. The properties at 713 and 715 Elmira Road and 734 Five Mile Drive are currently . vacant due to a lack of water and as such pose a serious financial hardship for ' the owners. Their interest in having public water is clear. - 4 - CONCLUSIONS 1. 27 of the 34 water sources (79%) report some kind of problem with their water supply, health related or otherwise. 2. Some residents with quality problems fill their wells with water directly from surface water supplies (creeks) . One resident has a hose in the creek connected to the well for "emergencies". One resident runs a hose from the neighbor's well to her house supply pipe. Yet another resident hauls water in bottles from off premises and bathes at a local recreational center. Taste, smell, or color problems may also drive people to other off-lot sources for water. This water can be contaminated by an inadequately developed source or by poor handling practices in transport. 3. Two public water systems, Collegeview Mobile Home Park and Lil's Economy Lodge , must chlorinate their water to control bacteriological contamina- tion. Continued service of safe water at these chlorinated systems depends upon good equipment and daily operational care both of which are s subject to breakdowns. Their problems developed after 1984, there is no guarantee other, currently safe, systems will remain safe. 4. Drilling a well in this area is risky as evidenced by the unproductive or poorly productive wells. The cost of drilling wells is also high. When found, water is encountered at depths approaching 400 feet. 5. Small home lots can place severe limitations on property owners who might seek to develop a new or alternate water system on their property. 6. Route 13 and the surrounding area is a well-travelled route with future growth potential. The businesses in the area, including 3 motels, a restaurant, a flower shop, and farm markets , are important to Ithaca' s local economy. The Health Department inspects and has under permit the motels and restaurant along this route. All would benefit from public water. Recommendations The Health Department recommends that the Town of Ithaca seriously consider the data gathered and given in this report concerning the documented drinking water problems in the study area, and that the Town give consideration to a plan which would provide safe, plentiful municipal public water to the area's residences and businesses. LK/cb 3/6/86