Johnstown Water Works

In accordance with State regulations, the town of Johnstown annually releases a comprehensive report detailing the quality of your municipal water. This document aims to enhance your understanding of water quality and highlight the importance of protecting our water resources.

Last year, your tap water met all State health requirements for municipal water. This report provides a snapshot of water quality data, including information about water sources, content analysis, and comparison with New York State standards.

Our consistent goal remains providing you with safe, reliable municipal water. We're committed to continually improving our treatment processes and protecting our valuable water resources. If you have questions about this report or your water service, please contact: Ms. Barbara Koehler, Clerk of the Water Board, at (518) 736-4027.

We encourage our customers to stay informed about their water quality. Water Board meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the water department conference room at 27 East Main Street.

WHERE OUR WATER COMES FROM

The City of Johnstown operates two slow sand filtration plants located at Christman and Cork Center. Our water supply comes from three reservoirs west of the City:

• Christman Reservoir: 10,000,000 gallon capacity
• Cork Center Reservoir: 140,000,000 gallon capacity
• Larabee Reservoir: 40,000,000 gallon capacity

Together, these reservoirs hold 200,000,000 gallons within a 2,000-acre watershed. Water flows by gravity to both filtration plants, which have a combined capacity of 4,500,000 gallons daily. The water undergoes sand filtration to remove particles and chlorine disinfection to protect against pathogens.

Storage facilities include a 100,000-gallon clearwell at Christman, a 500,000-gallon clearwell at Cork Center, and a 2,500,000-gallon controlling clearwell at Marylanders in the northern part of the city, providing adequate storage and fire protection.

All drinking water sources (tap and bottled) contain naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, plus substances from animal and human activities. To ensure safety, the State and EPA set limits on contaminant levels in public water systems, similar to FDA regulations for bottled water.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Johnstown provides water through 3,500 service connections to approximately 8,743 residents and the Aspen Hills Water Area. In 2017, we treated 686,098,000 gallons at our Christman and Cork plants, with 585,360,390 gallons billed to customers. This resulted in 100,737,610 gallons of unaccounted water used for system maintenance, firefighting, and distribution system leakage.

1. How do I sign up for DirectLink, the City's alert tracking system?

   To learn more about DirectLink or to register, click the link on our website homepage.

2. How do I report a streetlight outage?

   To report a streetlight outage, please contact CenterPoint Energy at http://www.centerpointenergy.com/en-us/business/in-your-community/electric-outage-center/report-streetlight-outages?sa=ho. You'll need the pole's streetlight number for your report.

3. How can I monitor power outages in the area?

   To report or view local power outages, visit the CenterPoint Energy outage tracker at http://gis.centerpointenergy.com/outagetracker/

4. How do I schedule a child car seat inspection/installation?

   The West University Place Fire Department has Safe Kids USA certified personnel who can perform child restraint device inspections and installations. This complimentary service is available only to community residents by appointment, typically scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Call 713-662-5835 to schedule and ask to speak with a fire officer.

5. How do I rent Colonial Park facilities?

   All Colonial Park reservations must be made through the West University Place Recreation Center at 4210 Bellaire or by calling 713-662-7420.

6. How do I reserve a tennis court?

   Recreation Center front desk staff can take phone reservations for tennis pass holders. Please call 713-662-7420 to make your reservation.

7. How do I report a suspected health code violation at a West U restaurant?

   The Director of the Harris County Health and Environmental Services Department serves as West University Place's health authority. Contact the Environmental Health Services Division at 713-439-6270 to report restaurant-related complaints.

8. How do I reserve the Community Building or Scout House?

   To reserve the Scout House (6108 Edloe) or Community Building (6104 Auden), contact the Community Building staff. Please reach Toby at 713-662-5897 or Brett at 713-662-5896.

9. What utilities does West University Place offer?

   The City provides water, sewer and solid waste services to residents, plus optional recycling. We do not provide electricity, gas or cable services. Utilities are billed monthly, one month in arrears.

10. How do I set up my utility service?

    Utility service can be established Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at City Hall (3800 Boulevard). Service cannot be started/terminated on the same day as application, holidays, or weekends. All documentation must be received by 4:00 p.m. the business day before your requested connection/termination. Documents received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed the following business day.

    All West University Place residents must establish their own utility service—accounts are not automatically transferred between owners or between landlords and tenants. You remain responsible for your account until you formally terminate service.

    Contact the utility billing department at 713-662-5824 or visit the Finance Department at City Hall. Homeowners pay a $50 connection fee (no deposit) and must provide photo identification for all account holders plus proof of ownership (such as the first page of your purchase agreement).