EPA Says Westchester Water is Unsafe to Drink
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Is Scarsdale water safe to drink? Though the Village says "yes," the U.S. District Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York has filed a complaint against Westchester County on behalf of the EPA charging that the County failed to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). A January 5, 2006 ruling from the EPA required the County to implement water treatment systems to prevent contamination from Cyrptospiridium. This microbial pathogen can cause cryptosporidiosis, a potentially fatal illness that includes diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps.
According to the complaint, Water District No. 1 which includes White Plains, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, the Village of Scarsdale and the Town of North Castle "failed to comply [by] upgrading its water treatment facilities to comply with the SDWA." As a result, the EPA believes that we are at risk of consuming water contaminated with Cryptosporidium. People with weakened immune systems, young children, pregnant women and the elderly are at heightened risk and their symptoms tend to be more severe and persistent.
Scarsdale draws raw water from the Kensico Reservoir and partially treated water from the Delaware Aqueduct. The water from Kensico is untreated surface water and is not filtered to inactivate Cryptosporidium. In order to eliminate it from the water the EPA requires the district to use ultraviolet treatment. Since Water District 1 failed to comply, the EPA is seeking penalties of up to $37,500 for each day of the violation after January 12, 2009. Read the entire complaint here:
Scarsdale Village officials posted a notice on the Village website, claiming that our drinking water is safe. They explained that Scarsdale is fed by two pumping stations: the newly renovated Ardsley Road station and the older Reeves Newsom Water Supply Station which experienced pump failures two weeks ago.
Water from Ardsley is treated with ultraviolet and protected against Giardia and Cryptosporidium. However the Reeves Newsom pumping station is due for an upgrade and water from that station is not treated. According the Center for Disease Control, boiling water for one minute is highly effective for killing Cryptosporidium, so concerned residents can boil their drinking water until the situation is resolved.
Scarsdale Village Managers believe the untreated water is safe. According to the statement, "There has been no change to the water supply and it is safe to drink water in Scarsdale and in the communities of WCWD#1 as Westchester County, the USEPA and US Attorney resolve differences in the strategy for installation of UV Treatment of the water."
We followed up with a few questions for Village Manager Al Gatta and here is what we learned:
What percentage of Scarsdale's water comes from Reeves Newsom vs. Ardsley Road?
The water in the four communities of the Westchester County Water District #1 is as safe as it has been for decades. The current issue between the County and the US Justice Department is that the County is required to treat the water to a high standard and has been late in meeting that requirement. Currently about 20% of the flow is from ARPS, but in the winter we can get up to 100% from ARPS.
Do these pumps serve different areas of the Village?
No, both pump stations feed into the water system and the water mixes.
Did the US Attorney and the EPA warn the County?
This issue dates back to 2006 when the County was working on a plan to resolve the issue. The plan was never taken to fruition and the current dispute between the County and Federal government has just been recent. As a result of the County not showing any movement in the last seven years the Federal government has insisted on the County entering into a consent agreement to firm up compliance.
How long have they known about this issue?
The communities in Water District #1 which include Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale and White Plains have been requesting that the County move forward with this project since 2006.
Native Species Thrive at Cooper Green Rain Garden
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The rain garden at Cooper Green, opposite the Scarsdale Public Safety Building on the Post Road, is in full bloom. Completed this year, the rain garden was constructed as part of the South Fox Meadow Stormwater Improvement Project to collect and convey water from George Field to the Bronx River.
Said to be one of the largest rain gardens in the Hudson Valley, the 2.5 acre garden is traversed by a pervious walkway. During wet periods, the rain garden can hold 815,000 gallons of water which will be gradually released to alleviate flooding and smooth water flows.
The garden is landscaped with native plants that thrive in dry conditions and can sustain occasional inundation.
We stopped by to see what was in bloom and found knock out roses, hibiscus, pye weed, milkweed, liatris, phlox and more. Stop by and let us know what you see in bloom.
Water Emergency Remains In Effect in Scarsdale
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Scarsdale Village Managers suspect that power issues may have been behind the double water pump failure at the Reeves Newsome Pumping Station, Scarsdale's main pumping station that is 61 years old and due for modernization. The pumps failed on Saturday evening July 20 causing an immediate decline in water pressure for all residents. As of Monday, one of the pumps was repaired and water pressure levels were back to normal. Repairs on the second pump are in process and Village managers hope to have it back in service by Tuesday.
However, until repairs can be completed, the Village has declared a Water Emergency, strictly limiting water use.
Here's what you should know:
Turn off your automatic sprinkler system by turning off the water valve that feeds the lawn sprinkler. Consult your sprinkler service company if you have any questions.
Refrain from filling swimming pools
Refrain from washing your car
If your plants need to be watered, hand watering with a watering can is permitted.
Due to the age of the pumps and their vulnerability, the Village may implement watering restrictions which will dictate which days residents will be permitted to water their lawns. The Village will advise when the repair is complete. Visit www.Scarsdale.com for updates.
What Has Con Ed Done to Improve Service in Scarsdale Since Hurricane Sandy
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After the power outage on Tuesday night in Greenacres, several readers wrote in to ask what Con Edison has done since Hurricane Sandy to improve service and decrease outages in our area.
Scarsdale10583 asked Assistant Village Manager John Goodwin to outline what has been done and how you can get additional information. Here is his reponse:
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the Village Board of Trustees wrote a letter to Con Edison's, dated December 12, 2012 outlining their concerns with Con Ed's power restoration operation. In response to this letter, the Village Board met with Con Ed on January 23, 2013. At the meeting the logistical, staffing, and communication problems that were apparent in Con Ed's emergency management response were discussed as well as Con Ed's capital expenditures and maintenance for the Scarsdale electrical grid.
At the meeting, Con Ed committed to work with the Village to "storm harden" the Scarsdale grid, especially
in areas where there are recurring outages. In regard to improvements in general, Con Ed stated that they continually look at services and what causes outages and that if an outage is caused by equipment failure, improvements are sought. They also stated that no capital improvement can prevent a tree from taking down a wire or pole.
Since Hurricane Sandy, Con Edison has been active with their tree trimming program and making improvements on their overhead system. The improvements to the overhead system include installing new poles and new span wires which involve adding "smart switches" to the system that will minimize customer outages. This work was performed at various locations throughout the Village including Mamaroneck Road, Weaver Street, Drake Road, Post Road and Boulevard. Con Ed has also provided the Village with their feeder/grid map which will help identify system outages and held meetings with staff to perform "blue sky" desktop review of operational and communication issues. Post Sandy, Village staff has meet with Con Ed both individually and as part of a County wide effort sharing concerns and receiving important updates on ways to better manage these type of storm conditions. More detail of the work that Con Ed has been performing in Westchester County including Scarsdale can be found at the following link: http://www.coned.com/newsroom/news/pr20130614.asp.
It should be noted that Con Edison is regulated by the New York State Public Service Commission, not local governments within their service area. As such, Scarsdale's ability to influence Con Edison's operations is limited to filing complaints with the Public Service Commission, contacting State elected representatives or meeting directly with Con Edison officials. With that said, the Village has made every effort to do what it can to work with Con Edison to help improve the services they provide to Village residents.
Can You Identify These Suspects?
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Scarsdale Police are asking for your help in finding three suspects who were involved in a robbery at Sam Lehr Jewelers in Scarsdale Village on June 29th. Police have forwarded these surveillance photos of the three suspects who made off with $50,000 worth of gold rings. If you have any information to help identify the suspects please call the Scarsdale Police Department, Investigations Section at (914)-722-1200 or email [email protected].
Suspect One:
Tall Hispanic male in late 20's wearing a light colored t-shirt, dark sunglasses and dark jeans. He has a medium build, was clean-shaven and had a shaved head. He had a tattoo on his right forearm reportedly of "three crosses." He was carrying a baseball- style cap in his hand and acted as the primary diversion. After the larceny was perpetrated by suspect two below, this suspect feigned an attempt at apprehending suspect two, telling the proprietor: "I'll help you get him." He fled the store and did not return.
Suspect Two:
Short Hispanic male in late teens or early 20's wearing a blue and white plaid shirt and light colored shorts. He also wore sunglasses and carried a bag across his shoulder. He had medium-length dark hair and spoke both Spanish and English while in the store. This suspect perpetrated the actual entry into the jewelry case and stole the five rings, fleeing the store on foot.
Suspect Three:
Short heavy-set Hispanic female in early 20's wearing a short-sleeved flowered shirt and light colored "Capri" pants. This suspect spoke both Spanish and English. The suspect was communicating via cell phone while inside the store. This suspect provided cover/concealment for suspect two while he entered the jewelry case. Upon suspect two's flight from the store, this suspect fled on foot in the opposite direction, walking at a normal pace.
