11/2/2024
WT Staff
 Got water questions? Give us a call at 877-52-WATER (877-529-2837), or email us at info@wtny.us
November 2, 2024 updated 1230 pm EDT
Winter Awareness Week closes with Winter Weather Safety
Public Information Statement issued by NWS New York 6 am EDT Sat Nov 2
OCT 27 to NOV 2 IS WINTER WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK... join the National Weather Service in promoting winter weather education including safety. The topic for the final day is winter weather safety.
Prepare and stock your vehicle
For heavy snow, check and winterize your vehicles before the winter
season begins. Carry a winter storm survival kit including
blankets, a flashlight with extra batteries, a shovel and map.
For icing, make sure that an adequate supply of salt and sand are
available for melting ice.
Dress for the weather
In extreme cold, frostbite can occur to exposed skin in a matter of
minutes and extended exposure can result in hypothermia. Dress in
layers of light weight, loose fitting, warm clothing. Preferably in
an out layer that is wind and water proof. Also be sure to
adequately cover your head, neck and extremities.
Prepare your property and water pipes, valves
In prolonged arctic outbreaks there is potential for damage to infrastructure and
property from bursting pipes and water lines. To keep pipes from
freezing along outside walls, make sure thermostat is set to no
lower than 55 degrees, open cabinet doors, and let hot and cold
water trickle at night from a faucet.
Prepare for heat and power outages
If the heat goes out you can keep warm indoors by closing off rooms
you do not need, dressing in layers and wearing a cap. Use only
safe sources of alternate heat, such as a fireplace, small well-
vented wood or coal stove, or portable space heater. If using a
kerosene heater, make sure a window is opened slightly. Never run a
generator indoors and never use a gas oven to heat your home.
Prepare for high winds
For high winds, structural damage to houses begins with winds in
excess of 57 mph. These winds will also cause whole trees or large
tree limbs to fall, which can fall on power and telephone lines
causing interruption of electrical and telephone service. Heavy
icing can also cause similar types of electrical and telephone
service interruptions.
To prepare for these winter hazards...
- For a mobile home, make sure that it is tied down and is secure.
- Make sure to have an adequate stock of canned goods.
Prepare for flood
For tidal flooding, know the flood risk for your area and
elevations. Minor flooding is inundation of 1 to 2 feet above ground
level. Moderate flooding occurs is inundation of 2 to 3 feet above
ground level. Major flooding is inundation of greater than 3 feet
above ground level.
For more information on understanding minor, moderate, and major flooding, here.
Know the available escape routes and shelter locations if you are
directed to evacuate.
Safe Drinking Water Advisories
Mongomery County: The City of Amsterdam issued a BWA following a water shutdown yesterday. The service disruption and restored service with BWA are impacting connections on Florida Avenue from Broadway to Dead End in Mudge Hollow, as well as water customers on Daniel Street with city water access. City of Amsterdam Water supplies a residential population of over twenty thousand from a surface water source. From the 2023 Annual Water Quality Report, "The City of Amsterdam receives its' water supply from three impounding reservoirs at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains in Saratoga County. The total capacity is 10 million gallons servicing a broader community of approximately 21,000 people. Currently, the system's water demand is approximately 5.4 million gallons per average day. Upon entering a 24-inch pipe, the water is screened, metered, and disinfected with chlorine dioxide. The raw water then travels through 15 miles of pipe to the City of Amsterdam."
EPA Enforcement and Compliance History has the facility noted with non-compliance in 9 of the last 12 reporting quarters, the treatment technique under Lead and Copper Rule was at issue here for a short time in spring 2022, the matter has been addressed. The last sanitary survey was carried out by NYS in July 2023 with recommendations made in all applicable categories, including data verification, distribution, management-operation, operator compliance, pumps, source, financial and treatment.
See EPA - SDWA Compliance Report for NYS, October 2024, here.
See prior quarter EPA - SDWA Compliance Report for NYS, July 2024, here.
Voluntary Water Conservation
The Town of Monroe is asking residents to conserve water as the lack of rainfall, low streamflows and drought conditions have dropped the level in the reservoir. Town of Monroe established 1799 is operates seven water treatment plants in Orange County, each licensed separately. The water districts impacted by the voluntary water conservation request include:
- Water District 1 - High Ridge, population 308, served by surface water source purchased from another licensed facility in Orange County
- Water District 2 - STRL Heights-Hor Manor with 128 residents supplied by a groundwater source
- Water District 7 - Oreco Terrace - distributes potable water to 47 residents served with surface water purchased from another facility
- Water District 8 - Skyview Hills - distributes potable water to 544 residents with surface water purchased from another licensed facility
- Water District 10 - Pine Tree Road - distributes potable water to 50 residents with surface water purchased from another licensed facility
- Water District 12 - Monroe Hills Estates - serves potable water to 196 residents from a groundwater well source in Orange County
- Water District 14 - Orchard Hills Estates - serves potable water to 196 residents from a groundwater well source in Orange County
Orange County is in the Lower Hudson River watershed, rated below normal on the USGS drought map for some time. The below normal streamflows are clearly impacting drinking water supplies in the area, including surface reservoirs and groundwater wells which may not be refreshing underground as fast as the water is withdrawn. Watch for reports of HABs and spills in the region as the water levels are lower and this tends to concentrate nutrients and contaminants spilled. Turn on the watershed layer to view the water events occurring in the same drainage area as Monroe, depicted on the map with a brown tag for low water level.
Check here for the latest hazardous spill report for NYS,
and the latest report of NYS water bodies impacted by HABs this season.
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