Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2022

VILLAGE OF MORRIS
Department of Public Works
39 Grove Street, Morris, New York 13808
Shop 607-263-5556 Fax 607-263-2145


Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2022
System Name: Village of Morris
System Address: P.O. Box 448 Morris, NY 13808
Public Water Supply ID# NY 38000153


INTRODUCTION
To comply with State regulations, The Village of Morris, 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 all State drinking water health standards.  We are proud to report that our system did not violate a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. 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 Jared Pedersen, machine operator, (607) 353-2194. We want you to be informed about your drinking water.  If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled village board meetings on the second Monday of each month. The meetings are held 118 Main Street Morris, NY 13808 at 7:00 p.m.  

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, in some cases, radioactive material, 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 which 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 system serves 642 residents over 248 service connections.  Our water source is a spring located at the end of Meadow Lane. Water is pumped from the spring throughout the water system as well to our water storage tank. When the tank is full, the pump shuts off and the water is gravity fed back from the tank into the distribution system. The water is treated with chlorine for disinfection and also a phosphate blend compound as a corrosion inhibitor prior to distribution. Our water operator is NYS certified and attends ongoing educational classes. 

The NYS DOH has completed a source water assessment for this system, based on available information. Possible and actual threats to the drinking water sources were evaluated. The state source water assessment includes a susceptibility rating based on the risk posed by each potential source of contamination and how easily contaminants can move through the subsurface to the wells.

The susceptibility rating is an estimate of the potential for contamination of the source water, it does not mean that the water delivered to consumers is, or will become contaminated. While nitrates (and other inorganic contaminants) were detected in our water, it should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants from natural sources. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. The nitrate levels in our sources are not considered high in comparison with other sources in this area. See section “Are there contaminants in our drinking water?” for a list of the contaminants that have been detected.

As mentioned before, our water is derived from a spring. The source water assessment has rated the spring as having a high susceptibility to microbials and nitrates. These ratings are due primarily to the close proximity of permitted discharge facilities (industrial/commercial facilities that discharge waste water into the environment and are regulated by the state and/or federal government) and pasture within the assessment area. In addition, the spring draws from an unconfined aquifer of unknown hydraulic conductivity. While the source water assessment rates our spring as being susceptible to microbials, please note that our water is disinfected to ensure that the finished water delivered into your home meets New York State’s drinking water standards for microbial contamination. A copy of the assessment, including a map of the assessment area, can be obtained by contacting Jared Pedersen, Machine Operator at (607) 263- 5556, or stop at the Village Barn located at 39 Grove Street Morris, NY.

Future plans

We intend to maintain the quality of water and the integrity of our water system and with our meter reading equipment keep close track of where our water is used. This will help us discover leaks inside residences.


Ground Water Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water Study

The New York State Department of Health, after reviewing data collected for a year, has determined that there is no evidence of surface water intrusion into the spring. “Therefore, the Spring is not considered GWUDI and no additional action is required at this time.”


ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN OUR DRINKING WATER?
As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. These contaminants include: microbial contaminants, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, radioactive contaminants and organic chemical contaminants. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, can be naturally – occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic waste water discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming. Pesticides and herbicides may come from a variety of sources, such as agricultural and residential uses. Radioactive contaminants are usually naturally occurring. Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban water runoff and septic systems. 
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, may 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 New York State Health Department at (607) 432 - 3911


As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. These contaminants include: total coliform, inorganic compounds, nitrate, lead and copper, volatile organic compounds, total trihalomethanes, and synthetic organic compounds. ​

* During 2022 we collected and analyzed 10 samples for lead and copper.  The level included in the table represents the 90th percentile of the 10 samples collected.  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 values detected at your water system.  The action level for lead and copper were not exceeded at any of the 10 sites tested.

Definitions:

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.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water.  There is convincing evidence that 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.
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.
Level 1 Assessment: A Level 1 assessment is an evaluation of the water system to identify potential problems and determine, if possible, why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system.
Level 2 Assessment: A Level 2 assessment is an evaluation of the water system to identify potential problems and determine, if possible, why an E. coli MCL violation has occurred and/or why total coliform bacteria have been found in our water system on multiple occasions.
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).
Nanograms per liter (ng/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid to one trillion parts of liquid (parts per trillion - ppt).
Picograms per liter (pg/l): Corresponds to one part per of liquid to one quadrillion parts of liquid (parts per quadrillion – ppq).
Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water.
Millirems per year (mrem/yr): A measure of radiation absorbed by the body.
Million Fibers per Liter (MFL): A measure of the presence of asbestos fibers that are longer than 10 micrometers.

WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION MEAN?
As you can see by the table, our system had no violations.  We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State.

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.  Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing.  [Water Supply Name] is responsible for providing high quality drinking water and removing lead pipes, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components in your home.  You share the responsibility for protecting yourself and your family from the lead in your home plumbing.  You can take responsibility by identifying and removing lead materials within your home plumbing and taking steps to reduce your family’s risk.  Before drinking tap water, flush your pipes for several minutes by running your tap, taking a shower, doing laundry or a load of dishes.  You can also use a filter certified by an American National Standards Institute accredited certifier to reduce lead in drinking water.  If you are concerned about lead in your water and wish to have your water tested, contact The Village of Morris, (607) 263-5556 or (607) 263-5400. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.


IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OPERATIONS?

During 2022, our system was in compliance with applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.



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:

• Saving water saves energy and some of the costs associated with both of these necessities of life;
  
• Saving water reduces the cost of energy required to pump water and the need to construct costly new wells, pumping systems and water towers; and
  
• Saving water lessens the strain on the water system during a dry spell or drought, helping to avoid severe water use restrictions so that essential firefighting needs are met.
  

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:

• Automatic dishwashers use 15 gallons for every cycle, regardless of how many dishes are loaded.  So get a run for your money and load it to capacity.
  
• Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
  
• Check every faucet in your home for leaks.  Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day.  Fix it and you can save almost 6,000 gallons per year.
  
• Check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl.  It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day from one of these otherwise invisible toilet leaks.  Fix it and you save more than 30,000 gallons a year.
  

CLOSING

Thank you for allowing us to continue to provide your family with quality drinking water this year. In order to maintain a safe and dependable water supply we sometimes need to make improvements that will benefit all of our customers. The costs of these improvements may be reflected in the rate structure. Rate adjustments may be necessary in order to address these improvements.  We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community.  Please call our office at (607) 263- 5556 if you have questions.

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