Water Update – 03/14/08
Today we met with two representatives from the PSC. They were here for about 2 hours and went over all the reasons why the water company needs this increase. All I can say is they are in bad shape and the PSC even admitted they need help in various areas as their equipment andinfrastructure are falling apart. We argued that this is not the fault of the residents and they agreed, and were as confused as we were as to why there was no petition for an increase in the last 9 years. While they admitted this was mismanagement they basically concluded that there will be an increase and that it will “possibly” be in the range of 40 – 60%, which granted, is not what they originally asked for but is still a significant increase.
One thing I need to mention that they said during our discussion is that the Commission, meaning their bosses look at each and every
complaint from the residents and this does have a bearing on the final decision. The number of complaints he said that the office received as of early this week was only 8, yes, that is not a typo, 8 as in Eight. Which means that 204 residents on Mountain Lodge Water Co water do not mind paying close to $1,140 a year.
PLEASE, call the 800 number if you haven’t already and make sure you get a case number. The complaint line # is:
1-800-342-3377
It only takes a few minutes. Let’s minimize the increase as best we can and again, this will make a difference. They also asked the number of residents in the Association that were on the water system. I can tell you now that number is not high, but I will tell you that if we did have higher numbers it may have made a dramatic difference. The only reason they even met with us is because the meeting was arranged on behalf of the Residents Association. I guess you can see where i am going with this….strength in numbers.
Our next step is going to be a meeting at the Firehouse in the next week or two where we will have the proposal from the water company on hand for inspection and also a petition which will go to the Commissioners in the PSC. This petition can be signed by any resident on the water system.
Water Update – 03/07/08
I just got off the phone with Assmeblywoman Calhoun’s Office. According to them the PSC is supposedly going to conduct interviews and have a Public Hearing.
From what the PSC told Calhoun’s Office this increase proposed MT. Lodge Water Co. amounts to about $114,000.00 yearly. They claim 142 year round and 70 seasonal.
They also told me that the PSC wants to do everything they can to help out private water companies as they do not want them going under. The answer I got when I asked what happens if they do go under was surprising but that should definitely be one of the questions asked at this proposed meeting.
Being as this is a smaller water company this meeting should occur sometime this Summer and we are supposed to be notified.
Their office suggested that we have all of our information together and any of the issues that we have with the water company ie: water quality, outages, notifications, maintenance, etc.
The questions I want answered are why the hell did it take them 9 years to ask for an increase when the have been in arrears for back taxes over 5 years. When your physical plant is falling apart do you not look for monies to maintain and upgrade your infrastructure? A minor increase each year over the 9 years may have been justified, depending on how much their increases were, but to hit us over the head with one lump sum in one year is insane.
Please let your neighbors that are not online know about what is going and those that are online. to join this group. Calhoun’s Office gave the PSC my name and home number as a direct contact so I will keep all of you updated when I receive any information.
Water Update – 03/03/08
Letter Sent to All Residents using The Mountain Lodge Water Company
Mountain Lodge Park Water Corp.
PO Box 545 Washingtonville, NY 10992
February 27, 2008 Dear Customer:
This is to inform you that the Mountain Lodge Park Water Corp. (MLP) has filed with the New York State Public Service Commission {PSC), a request for a rate increase and the establishment of escrow account surcharges for both the year-round and seasonal customers.
If granted the rate increase will go into effect on June 1, 2008 and the new surcharges will start on February 1, 2009.
We regret having to ask for an increase, however, there are several reasons why it is necessary. The primary reasons are as follows:
1.The company has lost approximately 100 customers since the last rate review.
2.The company has not had a rate increase in over 9 years.
3.Power costs and property taxes have increased substantially since the last increase.
We are asking the PSC to approve a new equal rate for both year-round and seasonal customers in the amount of $245,00 per quarter The annual effect on the year-round and seasonal customers’ bills is as follows,
|
Year Round |
Seasonal |
|
| Current annual rate |
$409.64 |
$351.57 |
Proposed annual rate |
$980.00 |
$980.00 |
| $ Increase annually |
$570.36 |
$628.43 |
| % increase annually |
139.2% |
178.75% |
When the PSC approves the final rate, MLP is also requesting that it become payable in quarterly installments on February 1st, May 1st, August 1st and November 1Blof each year.
Currently only the seasonal customers are paying a surcharge for the improvement of their system. We have, at our own cost, been able to upgrade the year-round system also but, unfortunately, we will need your help to continue to upgrade the service of both systems.
If approved, the surcharge of $40.00 per quarter will go into effect with the February 1, 2009 billing. The proposed surcharge will replace the current seasonal only surcharge of $148-20.
Our goal is to continue to improve your water service and ensure that you have minimal interruptions
If you have any questions regarding this matter you may contact us at: 1-845-496-1409 (This is the water company’s number which you are free to call but this is not the number to register your official complaint)
The PSC can be contacted by writing to:
Department of Public Service Office of Consumer Services
90 Church Street New York, NY 10007-2919
Or calling them at:
1-800-342-3377
Very truly yours,
Arthur & Robert Parker
Sewer Update
In 2005, the D.E.C. surveyed several locations in Mt. Lodge Park and determined that due to the increasing failure of old septic systems a community wide sewer system must be instituted.
In 2006, our local state and federal officials met to chart a course to implement the sewer system. The first step was to do a study to determine the best type of system to install in our particular terrain. The offices of Nancy Calhoun, Charles Schumer, Bill Larkin raised the $35,00.00 necessary to initiate the study.
As of today, the study has been completed and a meeting will be convened to present the findings to the Town Board. Once the optimum system is determined, the next step will be to determine the funding for the entire project which is expected to run into the millions. A recent article in the Times Herald Record stated the Charles Schumer is co-sponsoring a bill which will have the Federal Government provide 75% of the funding and the State Government and Local Government will provide 12.5% each. (See article below) The funding of the project will determine the actual cost to the residents. There is no total dollar amount estimate at this time.
The long term benefit of having a Mountain wide sewer system will be reduced water pollution and contamination. No future cost of replacing failed septic systems which could cost between $10,000 & $20,000. A sewer system will handle waste plus bath, sink and washing machine water. The implementation of a sewer system will allow the drilling of private wells because ground soil pollution is no longer present. Lastly, you could expect an increase of $15,000 to $25,000 in the resale value of your property.
On November 15th, 2007, Virgilio Ferreria and I attended a meeting at the Orange County Department of Health in Goshen. The meeting was to bring us up to speed on the developments concerning the status of our “Waste Water Treatment”. The meeting was attended by representatives from the E.P.A., Bd. of Health, the Consulting Engineers on the project, our Town Supervisor, Charles Bohan and Barbara Dunn, representing Nancy Calhoon.
They informed us that the first phase of the study has been completed by bringing the geological reports and the population reports up to date. Within the next few months, the consulting engineers will be appraising the various systems and technology available a present and making recommendations as to the type of systems that will work best and be most energy and cost efficient for our community.
There is quite a long road ahead of us before the actual installation begins but we are still heading in the right direction which is ahead. The project engineers will be gathering information about the roads, vacant properties and other information which will help them decide what type of Waste Water Treatment Plants will be appropriate for our community. At this point, they feel that one large plant for the 800+ homes on the mountain is out of the question but they are looking into “Pocket Plants” similar to the one at the bottom of Glenwood Road or possibly individual Aerobic Systems that would discharge waste water that will be 98% pure.
I believe in the early part of 2008, the Town Engineer’s Department will begin a series of well tests to determine the extent of contamination, if any. The tests will be conducted through an independent testing lab. The results will be sent to the Project Engineer and the Homeowner only. The tests will help to determine the type of water treatment equipment that will be used on the mountain.
As soon as we receive any further news or information, we will relay it to you. Please check this site for regular updates and notices.
Times Herald-Record
October 16, 2007
City of Newburgh — It’s no surprise, says Sen. Chuck Schumer, that once the federal government stopped paying for new sewer plants, communities stopped building them. For nearly 30 years, the feds have slowly chipped away at the money provided for wastewater treatment projects. In that time, the backlog of sewer plant projects in New York has grown to a whopping $20 billion worth of delayed projects. “The federal government has retreated from its responsibility under the Clean Water Act,” Schumer said yesterday at a news conference in front of Newburgh’s aging wastewater treatment plant. Schumer is co-sponsoring legislation that would restore federal funding for sewer plant projects back to the early 1970s level. A project’s cost would be divided, with the feds paying 75 percent and the state and local community each paying 12.5 percent.
The rollback of federal money has been especially harmful to upstate New York. In some communities, overstressed sewer plants have dumped overflow into nearby rivers — and backed raw sewage into people’s homes. In Orange County, the money for new wastewater treatment dried up just as the area experienced explosive population growth. “It creates a perfect storm,” said Schumer. “That can hurt drinking water and hurt rivers and lakes.”
Information About Water Testing
from Roger Delbue
Isotonics Incorporated
PO Box 400
Chester, NY 10918
(845) 782-8953
It cost about $85, the guy came sampled the water and send it to Pro-Lab.
PRO-LAB (USA)
1675 N. Commerce Pkwy
Weston, FL 33326
Tel: 1-800-427-0550
Fax: 954-332-1007
Prolab sent me directly the results. So the lab is just doing the lab work
and the water company is involved on getting the water.
Mike mentioned that you can take the water yourself, I let the guy do it and
it is not too expensive.
The all process took about a week.
According to PRO-LAB, http://www.reliablelab.com/ <http://www.reliablelab.com/>
This is the testing they can do on water, I have not checked but it looks
like they send you the kit and instructions to take the sample yourself. I
have no Idea the cost in case you do that direct.
WATER TESTING*
Collected water samples can be tested for
ANY OR ALL of the parameters listed below:
Water
Analysis Lab Analysis
Fee Turnaround
Time
Alkalinity Call 1-800-427-0550
for Pricing *72 Hours
Bacteria (Total Coliform & E Coli) *72 Hours
Clarity *72 Hours
Chlorine *72 Hours
Color *72 Hours
Copper *72 Hours
Hardness *72 Hours
Iron *72 Hours
Lead *72 Hours
Nitrate *72 Hours
Nitrite *72 Hours
Total Nitrate/Nitrite *72 Hours
PH (Acidity) *72 Hours
Pesticides *72 Hours
* All water testing kits come complete with water vial, easy to follow
instructions, chain-of-custody form and bubble mailer.
Bacteria testing also includes petri dish.
Sewer Backups
The back-up of sewage through the drains in your home or business is an unpleasant prospect. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your property.
First, an easy lesson in basic plumbing.
Wastewater flows through small lines on your property to the larger, county lines in the street. From there the sewage travels by gravity or pressure to a water reclamation facility. The stream is constant, with peaks in the morning and evening. Each day millions of gallons of wastewater safely reaches the county’s seven facilities to be reclaimed and returned to the environment.
Unfortunately, a blockage in the sewer line can interfere with this normally quiet, out-of-sight process. A blockage in the private or county line causes a back-up through floor drains and toilets at the lowest point in your home or business. The overflow will continue until the blockage is removed or until sewage is no longer entering the line.
If an overflow occurs:
If the sewer cleanout is accessible, an emergency crew will be able to determine if the blockage is in the customer’s line or in the county line. If the blockage is in the county line, the crew will be able to break the blockage, ending the back-up.
If there is not a cleanout, or if the cleanout cannot be located, you will need to call a plumber to assist you.
Discontinue inside water use.
Anything which should not be in a sewer line has the potential of causing a blockage. For example:
Kitchen grease, disposable diapers, and sanitary napkins can accumulate and cause a blockage.
Tree roots seeking moisture can grow through cracks in the lines, causing a blockage.
Vandals have stopped up lines by putting bricks, wood, oil filters, bed springs, and even Christmas trees in manholes.
Illegal hookups allow excess water into the lines. Outside stairwell drains, sump pumps, roof leaders, and drain gutters should never be connected to the sewer system. A sewer system is designed to carry a predetermined amount of sewage. Rainwater not only overloads the system, but also raises the cost of the treatment process.
To protect your property follow these simple Dos and Don’ts.
DON’T
Put diapers or sanitary napkins in the toilet
Dispose of grease down the drain
Plant trees near sewer lines
Connect any drains or sump pumps to the sewer system
DO
Install a plumbers test plug (available at hardware stores) at the lowest floor drain in your home
Hire a plumber to install a backflow valve on the lowest drain line. Regularly inspect and maintain the valve
Modify the plumbing line so that water is pumped to an upper level drain, eliminating the drains at the lower level
AND, JUST IN CASE
Locate and keep accessible the sewer cleanout in your front yard. If you do not have a cleanout, have one installed by a plumber. The cleanout is the property owner’s responsibility.
Check your homeowner’s insurance policy. If you are not covered for back-ups, call your agent for information on costs and coverage options. If you experience a back-up, save all receipts related to any repair, cleaning, or damages.
Do You Know Where Your Cleanout Is?
This is the first question you will hear from our emergency service personnel if you ever have a sewer line blockage.
The cleanout is a pipe located near the property line that rises from your sewer line to about 4” above ground level and is capped.
Quite frequently, the cleanout becomes buried or hidden over the years and is forgotten. In some cases, older homes may never have had a cleanout installed by the plumber.
As a property owner, you are responsible for your cleanout. If the cleanout is buried, a registered plumber should be able to locate and raise it for you. If it is hidden, you need to make it easy to access.
Helpful Items for the Home
Whole House Water Filters & Water Softeners
GE SMARTWATER – Whole House Water Filter – Approx. $50 – Home Depot/Lowes
10 Benefits of Using a Whole House Water Filter
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Clean, filtered water emerges from every water source in the house.
-
Chlorine and other chemicals are removed as soon as they enter a home’s plumbing system and are no longer released into the air.
-
When chlorine and other chemicals are removed from water used for washing, these chemicals can no longer become embedded in clothing.
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Removing chlorine from the water used in dishwashing prevents chlorine vapors from being released into the air and reduces soap scum on dishes.
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Using a whole house water filter greatly enhances the overall healthfulness of drinking water.
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Using a whole house water filter can alleviate the effects of asthma and allergies (for those who already suffer) by providing cleaner air to breathe in the house.
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Filtering water through a whole house water filter eliminates the risks of both drinking and showering in contaminated water.
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A whole house water filter is the only truly effective shower filter. It filters water at low temperatures to facilitate the removal of chlorine and other chemicals.
-
Using a whole house water filter ensures protection from the carcinogenic effects of both drinking and inhaling chlorine and other dangerous chemicals.
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The use of a whole house water filter is the last means of protection from breakdowns in municipal water treatment and sanitation systems
Water Softeners
Softening System can enhance the quality of water throughout the home, from the kitchen to the bath. Take a look at a few of the ways your family can benefit from soft water…
Soft water results in less hard water scale build-up in water heaters and up to 25% less energy consumption.
(Per research conducted by the Water Quality Research Council and Water Quality Association.)
Towels washed in water softened by softeners need 1/3 less detergent and come out 45% whiter.
Clothes are softer, cleaner, brighter, and last longer.
Dishes are cleaner, with less soap and hard water spotting.
Tubs, showers, and sinks are easier to clean, thanks to reduced hard water build-up.
Soft water will feel noticeably smoother to your skin.
Reverse Osmosis System
GE SMARTWATER – Reverse Osmosis System. Prices Start at around $150 for a basic unit
Available at Home Depot or Lowe’s.
I have had a sample done from this system by Culligan and it came back 99.9% pure!
1. How effective is reverse osmosis for improving water quality?
RO is very effective in reducing a range of home water contaminants.
This is possible because the reverse osmosis membrane is comprised of microscopic pores which allow the pressurized water molecules, among the smallest molecules known to man, to pass through contaminants, and even dissolved ions are left behind. Additionally, RO systems always include a sediment pre-filter that traps fine suspended materials that permanently clog the membrane. Most RO systems also include a carbon pre-filter to remove chlorine, along with other contaminants that may damage RO membranes and affect that taste, color, and odor of the water. Reverse osmosis is a low-energy process, useful for substantially reducing the complete dissolved mineral content of water. The process is practical in sizes ranging from a few gallons to million of gallons per day.
2. Who should consider purchasing a reverse osmosis system?
Anyone concerned about the quality of their home drinking water — particularly if they notice taste or odor problems or are aware of high levels of dissolves minerals in their water supply — should consider an RO system. Additionally, RO systems often are commended for immune-comprised individuals who could be especially susceptible to infection from various waterborne contaminants. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends reverse osmosis as a method for removal of a dangerous microorganism cyst called Cryptosporidium.
Reverse osmosis systems, which generally include both and RO membrane and pre- and post-filters, offer a comprehensive means of eliminating more than 90 percent of potentially harmful contaminants in home drinking water.
3. Specifically, which contaminants does a reverse osmosis system remove?
A reverse osmosis system can treat for a variety of contaminants including:
Aluminum, Arsenic, Asbestos, Atrazine, Benzene, Chlorides, Chlorine, Copper, Cryptosporidium, Cyanide, Fluoride, Giardia, Lead, Mercury, Nitrates, Radium, Radon, Silver, Sodium, Sulfide, Trichloroethylene, and Total Trihalomethanes.
4. Beyond reducing health-related contaminants what are some other benefits of installing a reverse osmosis water system?
There are many benefits to installing a reverse osmosis system beyond greatly reduced concentrations of contaminants. Cleaner, sparkling drinking water is probably the most noticeable. Because there is little to alter the RO-treated water’s natural state, the flavor of food can come though without any “chemical” taste. Brewed items such as coffee, tea, or soups may have a richer, more robust flavor, and fruit juices and powdered drinks mixed with RO-treated water may taste better, too. Even ice cubes can take on a crystal clear appearance. Additionally, because of its low mineral content, using RO-purified water in household appliances such as steam irons and humidifiers can keep them working longer and more efficiently.
5. Does a reverse osmosis system remove biological contaminants?
RO systems are capable of removing certain biological contaminants such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The pore size of the RO
membrane along with the amount of pressure applied to the water will generally determine the rate of reduction of such contaminants. The Water Quality Association (WQA) cautions, however, that while RO membranes are reliable for treatment of a range of health contaminants, design considerations such as tiny seal leaks or manufacturing imperfections may prevent a unit from offering foolproof protection against biological contaminants for consumer drinking water systems. Therefore, WQA suggests that absolute disinfectant (a reduction of contaminants greater than 99.9 percent) be ensured with cyst-rated and certified products and post-disinfection systems such as ultraviolet light.
6. How do I properly maintain my reverse osmosis system?
The filters of your RO system should be changed periodically. In general, both the re- and post-filters should be replaces about every six months, or at least annually; however, the maintenance schedules may vary due to local water conditions, the quality of water being filtered, and the manufacturer’s recommendations. The reverse osmosis membrane normally lasts between 3 to 5 years. WQA suggests you closely follow the maintenance schedule provided by your water treatment specialist of the manufacturer to ensure that the system is in proper working order.
7. What does a reverse osmosis system look like and where is it installed?
Most RO systems are compact units installed under your sink. (In some cases, they can also be installed on the countertop). A typical
system is comprised of one or more pre-filters, a reverse osmosis module, a post-filter, and a pressurized holding tank (see diagram
below). The pre-filters trap sediment, chlorine, and other contaminants before allowing water to pass into the reverse osmosis
module. The RO module, containing the RO membrane, further isolates a range of contaminants before allowing treated water through the post-filter. The treated water received a final “polishing” as it flows through the post-filter and into a holding tank connected to a tap on the kitchen sink. The waste water rejected by the RO is sent down another line into the drain.
8. How do I select the right home water treatment system for my needs?
In order to select the product that best meets your needs, begin by having your water tested to determine its quality and which
contaminants my be present. If you are concerned about health-related contaminants, you local department of health can recommend state-certified laboratories to test you water.