Fishkill Village

Typically, municipal water sources include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, while potentially collecting substances from animal or human activities. Potential contaminants in source water include microbial agents, inorganic compounds, pesticides, herbicides, organic chemicals, and radioactive materials.

To ensure safe public consumption, New York State and the USEPA establish regulations limiting contaminant concentrations in public water systems. Similarly, State Health Department and FDA regulations set strict limits for bottled water contaminants to provide equivalent public health protection.

Our water supply consists of 8 groundwater wells located on 12 acres within the Town of Fishkill. These wells range from 84 to 240 feet in depth. Before distribution, the water undergoes disinfection treatment with sodium hypochlorite.

The NYS Department of Health has completed a source water assessment based on available information, evaluating potential threats to our water supply. This assessment includes a susceptibility rating based on contamination risk factors and how easily contaminants might reach the wells. Our water source received a higher susceptibility rating for microbial and nitrate contaminants, primarily due to the wells' proximity to permitted discharge facilities and related industrial/commercial activities in the assessment area. Additionally, our fractured bedrock wells with overlying sand and gravel soil may not provide adequate protection against potential contaminants.

County and state health departments will use this assessment to guide future source water protection activities, including water quality monitoring, resource management, planning, and education programs. The assessment is available by contacting us directly.

SERVICE STATISTICS
Our water system serves 1,197 village service connections plus out-of-Village users, totaling approximately 11,289 people. In 2017, we produced 497,490,000 gallons of water, with a daily average of 1,362,986 gallons pumped into the distribution system. Our peak single-day usage reached 1,976,000 gallons on June 24th, 2017.

1. What should I do if I suspect a sewer backup in my home? Since water follows the path of least resistance, check toilets and tubs on your home's lowest level. Are these fixtures backing up?
   • If not, you likely have an internal plumbing issue.
   • If yes, contact TOFA immediately. We'll inspect the main sewer line and quickly resolve any blockages found. If the main line flows normally, the issue lies within your home's plumbing or the lateral connection to the main line, which is your responsibility. In this case, promptly contact a reputable plumber or pipe cleaning service.
   • Additional information regarding Sewage Backups and Blockages is available upon request.
2. How should I address suspected poor water quality? First, gather information to help identify the problem:
   • Does the issue disappear after running cold water for five minutes? Is the problem visible when water settles in a clean white plastic container?
   • Is the quality issue present at multiple faucets?
   • Do you have in-home water filtration or treatment systems needing maintenance?
   • When did you last flush your hot water heater? Iron and rust accumulation can enter your plumbing if not periodically flushed.
   Contact TOFA to report the issue. There might be emergency repairs or routine system flushing occurring in your area. If not, we'll investigate promptly.
3. What should I do before selling my home? Your water meter needs a final reading prior to the sale to accurately calculate your final water and/or sewer bills. Contact TOFA to schedule this service visit.