Last in a series
By DEBORAH E. LANS
GHENT–As Bard’s M. Elias Dueker points out, the best thing we can do about the safety of our drinking water is to “prevent pollution in the first place. Currently, we treat the symptoms, not the causes. We need to think differently about our patterns of consumption.”
What does this mean? Many things.
For example, our land use decisions need to consider the impacts of construction on the water ecosystem. What will development affect? What kinds of roads will be built? Where and how will water run off them? Are we disturbing a wetland? Wetlands get little respect but serve vital functions in filtering water and absorbing run off.
To prevent the pollution of our soils, groundwater and air – each of which of course in turn can pollute the others – hold industry accountable for the products they produce and the pollutants they emit, says Robert Hayes of Environmental Advocates of New York (EANY). To do so, advocate for governmental action regulating toxic chemicals.
For example, currently, although PFAS discharges into the environment can be the subject of state-issued permits, there are no related requirements to test the discharge for PFAS or limit the amounts. A bill has been introduced at the state Legislature (the PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act) that will bring transparency to the practice. Advocating for legislation can lead to information that in turn can lead to regulation where appropriate.
At home, handle hazardous waste responsibly. This means not dumping oil, paint or other harmful substances on the ground, not flushing pharmaceuticals down the drain, and maintaining vehicles and septic systems so that leaks and runoff are prevented.
Ask how our utilities are handling water? EANY’s Robert Hayes points out that aging and failing infrastructure leads to substantial water loss. Funding infrastructure upgrades is, accordingly, good for water management and a conservation measure. Yet, the governor’s 2024 proposed budget cuts funding for clean water initiatives by 50%. Letting lawmakers know of the importance of this funding will accordingly promote water quality.
There are innumerable other ways to think about consumption patterns. Last week’s article addressed the hazards of road salt. Aside from pressing local highway departments to minimize its use or substitute alternative, there are actions that can be taken at home. The home use of de-icers can be minimized. The Cary Institute advises that a handful of rock salt suffices to clear a square yard. A handful of calcium chloride clears three square yards.
Earlier articles considered the hazards and ubiquity of plastics. Reducing the use of plastics would have enormous impact. This refers not only to bottled water but also shampoos and soaps that come in plastic bottles and often have microplastic ingredients.
Numerous sources exist for home cleaning and personal care products that avoid single use plastic packaging and ingredients, such as Beyond Plastics, Blueland, Seventh Generation, Sustainabar, Freetheocean and Zero Waste Store, in favor of such things as bamboo toothbrushes and shampoo bars. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) website includes “Consumer Guides” to personal use, cosmetic and sunscreen products.
The Global Development Research Center website has a worldwide database of databases – listing and linking to governmental and non-profit groups from Thailand to New Zealand and Germany to the U.S. that certify environmentally sound products.
Since education often precedes action and advocacy, there are many ways an individual can learn about the quality of his/her own water supply and that of the area. For those whose water is supplied by a public water system, reviewing the system’s Annual Water Quality Report (AWQR) (searchable as such on line) is informative. Every such system in New York is required to prepare and publish a AWQR that discloses changes to the system over the past year as well as the results of testing. The report shows, among other things, whether a regulated substance has been detected in excess of permitted levels and in what amounts.
The EWG website has a Tap Water Database that allows the user to input their zip code and see the results for the public water utilities serving the area. Because EWG reports not only when legal limits on regulated substances are exceeded but also on contaminant levels detected (because “legal does not necessarily equal safe” as the website explains) the site often provides greater detail than a utility’s AWQR. EWR also indicates what it considers a “safe” level of the contaminants detected.
As private wells – the source of much of the drinking water in the county – are not regulated, homeowners need to consider what, if any, testing their situation may warrant. Well water contamination can occur for a variety of reasons.
Germs and chemicals can enter the system from flooding, extreme weather, runoff and even natural changes in water. An older well may have cracks that allow contaminants to enter. If a well was drilled on former farmland that may have been treated with pesticides, the ground water may still contain nitrites, arsenic or other chemicals. If the land was overspread with manure, E. coli may be there. Older homes may use pipes that are made of or were soldered with lead, that may leech into water.
The state’s Department of Health (DOH) recommends that private wells be tested annually for bacteria and every 3-5 years for other contaminants. Brian Collins, Technical Director for the state certified lab, Capital Region Environmental, Inc., concurs in that recommendation and adds that testing should also be done if a homeowner sees a change in the water, such as discoloration, or detects an odor.
Mr. Collins’ lab tests on behalf of numerous local counties, including Columbia County, and cautions that homeowners should use a state-certified lab to perform tests. Those facilities must use specific, approved methods and are audited for quality. Most testing is inexpensive. A test for bacteria runs $45. A test for lead and copper is $50. Tests for pesticide remnants, nitrite, arsenic and the like, run $35.
In some cases, tests may also be paid for by a town or the county, such as when issues are known to exist in an area.
Major creeks in the area have attracted their own clean water advocates. The Roe Jan Watershed Community is a not-for-profit that monitors the Roeliff Jansen Kill, which, en route to the Hudson River, flows through Hillsdale, Copake, Ancram, Gallatin, Clermont, Livingston and Germantown. It works with Bard’s Community Services Lab which assists local communities in monitoring air, water and soil quality.
The Agawamuck Creek will be protected under a plan that is a collaboration among the towns it runs through — Philmont, Claverack, Ghent, Austerlitz and Hillsdale.
New York State through its Drinking Water Source Protection Program provides funding to assist towns to develop plans to protect their public water sources. New Lebanon was awarded assistance and worked with the New York Rural Water Association in Hudson to create a plan that was delivered in January 2023. The plan, replete with maps and data and available on the town website, will be used to guide future planning.
Water conservation is also a consideration. Only about 1% of the earth’s water is drinkable, and, as with so many things, Americans consume far more of it than others. The average American uses 90 gallons/day, Europeans about 53 gallons, and Sub-Saharans 3-5. More than 50% of what Americans use goes to gardening and watering.
Professor Dueker explains why water-smart practices are important. “There is no new water. We are using the same water the dinosaurs used millions of years ago.” Thus, shrinking lawns and planting rain gardens are conservation measures worth considering.
All of these suggestions are, of course, just a drop in the bucket. The EPA, state DOH, Riverkeeper, Bard, EWG and many other websites all contain additional guidance.
