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In 2005, the Bethpage Water District joined with three other water
districts from Nassau County in a pilot program to test and evaluate
treatment methods for removing perchlorate from the ground water
supply.
Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and
man-made chemical. Most of the perchlorate used in the United
States is manufactured for use as the primary ingredient in solid
rocket propellant. It is also found in matches, fireworks,
flares and some fertilizers. In large doses, perchlorate can
impair thyroid function in humans.
As technology has improved over the past decade,
it is now possible to detect very small amounts of perchlorate (e.g.
0 to 10 parts per billion) in food and drinking water.
Drinking water is only one source for humans. Perchloratre has
also been found in cow's milk and various leafy vegetables such as
lettuce. In the small amounts found in various foods and in
drinking water, the effects of perchlorate and it's possible impact
on public health are still being studied and debated.
In 2000, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) required public water suppliers to conduct sampling programs
to determine the presence, frequency and concentration of a new list
of contaminants. On Long Island, perchlorate was found in a
wide array of public water supply wells in very low
concentrations. In Bethpage, our wells are now tested monthly
for perchlorate. Our test results for perchlorate have varied
from none detected to our highest level of 8 parts per billion in
2004. New York State has set a permissible level of 18 parts
per billion in drinking water. It is anticipated that the EPA
will issue new federal standards for perchlorate in the next few
years. Currently, New York State does not require any further
action be taken.
In our cooperative pilot program, the Bethpage
Water District has taken the initiative to go beyond the Nassau
County and New York State requirements and to investigate the
effectiveness of new treatment options that are available to remove
perchlorate from water. By partnering with three other
districts, we achieve cost savings, and are able to perform a more
comprehensive study than we could on our own. Following the
completion of the pilot study in 2006, the participant water
districts will submit a joint engineering report with a summary of
the findings to the Nassau County and the New York State Health
Departments, for their comments and approval. By conducting
this study, we will be better prepared to meet any new federal
standards, and continue to provide a quality product to our
customers.
If you have any questions about perchlorate or
about your drinking Bethpage drinking water in general, please call
Superintendent Andrew Musgrave at the Water District offices at
931-0093 . |
