Lee Water District

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?

Generally, municipal water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land surfaces or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials. It can also collect substances resulting from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include: microbial contaminants, inorganic contaminants, pesticides, herbicides, organic chemical compounds, and radioactive elements. To ensure tap water safety, the State and EPA establish regulations limiting certain contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations set contaminant limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

The primary water source for Lee Water District is the East Branch of the Niagara River. The Niagara County Health Department rates both the quantity and quality of this raw water source as excellent. During 2017, our system experienced no supply limitations.

At the Raw Water Pumping Station (constructed 1968), chlorination is applied for disinfection and zebra mussel control. This raw water travels 13 miles through a 30-inch forced main to the Lockport Water Treatment Plant (built 1930) at 220 Summit St. The facility employs standard treatment processes including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, chlorination, and fluoridation.

Coagulation and sedimentation remove suspended particles before filtration. The filtration process eliminates fine organic and inorganic particles that weren't settled during sedimentation. Chlorine disinfects the water and maintains sanitary quality as it travels from the treatment plant to households. Fluoride addition helps prevent dental cavities.

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

The New York State Department of Health completed a Source Water Assessment of our raw water source under the State's Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP). This program collects and evaluates information about potential and actual threats to public water supply sources. It's important to note that these assessments estimate potential impacts to untreated source water, not the safety of treated tap water.

The Great Lakes watershed is extensive and too large for detailed SWAP analysis. General concerns for public supplies using these sources include storm-generated turbidity, wastewater contaminants, toxic sediments, transportation-related spills, and issues with invasive species (like zebra mussels causing intake clogging and taste/odor problems).

1. How do I register and enroll in the Green Dog Program? View the Green Dog Program registration information and instructions website.
2. Why is there a fee to participate? The Green Dog Program is an optional recreation program and community service. Fees are charged similarly to other recreation programs, covering costs including park ranger services, program oversight, management and tags, web updates, informational materials, signage, participant communication, park condition monitoring, usage evaluation, and program improvements.
3. Where can I take my dog off-leash and how were these locations determined? View the latest green dog park interactive map or download our green dog parks map to locate parks with off-leash hours. The Park and Recreation Commission established these designations to balance the needs of both dog owners and visitors without dogs.
4. I visited a park during off-leash hours but was told my dog needed to be leashed. Why? Off-leash hours may be temporarily suspended at any park. During permitted activities like school group events or sports games, dogs must remain leashed for safety and courtesy. When park maintenance crews are working, dogs must be leashed for everyone's protection.
5. I visited during off-leash hours but found the park closed. Why? Fields may close during wet conditions, inclement weather, anticipated heavy rain, spring thaw, or for field maintenance reasons. Park closure signs are posted, but you can also call the green dog hotline at 617-879-4850 (24 hours) or the Parks Division Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. at 617-879-5650. Please use your judgment about field conditions during wet weather.
6. My regular park is closed for renovations or field conditions. Where else can I go? View the updated green dog park interactive map or download our map to find alternative parks with off-leash hours. You may also walk your leashed dog in any active park, except artificial turf fields, playgrounds, sandboxes, tennis courts, basketball courts, nature sanctuaries, and planted areas.
7. Why doesn't Brookline have a dedicated dog park for constant off-leash access? Brookline is a densely populated community with limited parkland. Many different user groups value our well-maintained open spaces, requiring balanced allocation. The Park and Recreation Commission hasn't currently identified an ideal location for a dedicated dog park.
8. Why are there no evening off-leash hours? The Commission balanced the needs of various park users when establishing off-leash hours. Evening times typically see heavy usage by other groups, particularly during athletic seasons.