Estill County Water District

Estill County Water District Section #1 purchases water from Irvine Municipal Utilities. Some customers along McKee Road receive water from Jackson County Water Association. Both providers use surface water sources - Irvine draws from the Kentucky River while Jackson County uses Lake Beulah.

The susceptibility of our water sources to contamination is generally moderate, though several areas of concern exist. The watershed contains eleven road bridges and a railroad. Additional potential risks include wastewater discharges, hazardous chemical users, waste generators/transporters, underground storage tanks, and injection control wells.

A complete source water assessment is available for review at the Estill County Water District. Watershed activities can potentially release contaminants that threaten drinking water quality and affect treatment costs. The complete source water assessment plans for both Irvine and Jackson County can be reviewed at the Bluegrass Area Development District in Lexington and the Cumberland Valley Area Development Center in London, respectively.

All water sources, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health impacts, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Water sources (tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves natural minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal or human activity. Potential contaminants include:

• Microbial contaminants like viruses and bacteria from sewage plants, septic systems, or wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals (naturally occurring or from stormwater runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming)
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, stormwater runoff, or residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, runoff, or septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants occurring naturally or from oil/gas production or mining activities

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure safe drinking water. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. People with compromised immune systems (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients, elderly individuals, and infants) should seek advice from healthcare providers about their drinking water. Guidelines for reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

1. After working in the yard all day, is it safe to drink from the garden hose?
   No one should drink from garden hoses - including pets. Many standard vinyl hoses contain chemicals that make them flexible. These substances can leach into the water flowing through the hose and potentially cause illness if consumed. Additionally, fertilizers and other lawn chemicals may contaminate the hose water. It's worth taking a moment to go inside for a safe glass of tap water instead.
2. Is it safe to use public drinking fountains?
   Generally yes, though with older fountains it's advisable to run the water for a minute before drinking. Older units sometimes contain lead components that could potentially contaminate the water. Running the fountain helps minimize any lead exposure risk. Fortunately, this situation has improved since Congress banned lead in piping and storage tanks through legislation passed in 1986 and 1988.
3. How essential is water to human health?
   Water is absolutely vital, as approximately 70 percent of our body composition is water. It supports digestion, waste transportation, joint lubrication, and body temperature regulation. Without water, survival beyond a few days is impossible. Maintaining proper hydration by consuming the recommended 6-8 glasses daily is crucial for wellbeing.
4. Can streams or rivers make you sick even if they're flowing?
   Yes, consuming water from flowing streams or rivers can cause illness. Even clear-looking moving water may harbor invisible microorganisms that can cause sickness and dehydration when ingested.
5. Who maintains water service lines?
   Property owners are responsible for maintaining the water service line from the curb to their home at their own expense. The water district maintains the service line from the water main to the curb and the meter itself.
6. Why must I pay for water lost through leaks?
   Water district customers are responsible for all water passing through their meters, including water lost through leaks. When service lines leak before reaching the meter, the district may estimate charges for the unmetered water.
7. What steps should I take when selling my home?
   Contact the administrative office at (516) 931-0093 with your account number, service address, seller's information (name, attorney details, forwarding address), and purchaser information. Schedule a final meter reading and inspection with the district, which typically involves a $100 fee for both seller and buyer.
8. How do I activate my water service?
   Call (516) 931-0093. Minimum charges apply, with additional fees for new, non-existing service. Service activation occurs once all requirements are satisfied. During property sales, water service rarely gets disconnected.
9. Are permits required for sprinkler system installation?
   Yes - professional installation by a licensed contractor is essential. A backflow prevention device must be included in the system design.
10. Do watering restrictions remain in effect?
    Yes. Nassau County prohibits lawn sprinkling between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and restricts watering to odd/even days based on your property number. These restrictions apply year-round, with fines possible for non-compliance.
11. Does the local water tower actually store water?
    Yes. Water stored in elevated towers ensures pressure and volume for firefighting purposes, even during power outages. Towers typically fill at night when usage is low and provide supplemental drinking water during peak daytime demand periods.
12. Why does water form a vortex when draining?
    Similar to a figure skater's spin, water going down a drain creates a circular motion. As the skater pulls their arms close, they spin faster. Likewise, because the drain opening is much smaller than the basin, the slight circular movement accelerates as water approaches the drain.
13. Should I use hot or cold water for cooking?
    Cold water is preferable for cooking and drinking. Hot water more readily dissolves particles from household plumbing and water heaters, making it potentially less pure than cold water.
14. How long can I store municipal water?
    Tap water can be stored up to six months in capped, non-metallic containers. Water boiled for 1-3 minutes can be stored for up to a year in similar containers. Consider refreshing stored tap water every six months as disinfectants gradually deplete. Never store water near toxic substances like cleaning products that might penetrate plastic containers.