Nyack Village Water Supply

In compliance with State and Federal regulations, Nyack's Water Division publishes an annual report detailing the quality of your municipal water. This report aims to increase your awareness about your water supply and emphasize the importance of protecting our water resources.

During 2017, we conducted tests for over 80 potential contaminants, identifying thirteen in detectable amounts (see Detected Contaminants Table). We're pleased to report our system maintained full compliance with all water quality standards without any violations.

Our water comes from the Hackensack River, originating at Lake DeForest Reservoir approximately 1 mile north of our treatment facility. The reservoir holds 5 billion gallons and helps maintain minimum streamflow during drought conditions. The raw water quality is generally good with these characteristics:

• Hardness: 134 parts per million
• pH: 7.7
• Turbidity: 5.0 NTU
• Alkalinity: 84 parts per million

In emergencies, we can access water through interconnections with SUEZ Water NY, though these weren't needed in 2017.

The New York State Department of Health has completed a source water assessment for our system. This assessment rated the Hackensack River as having increased susceptibility to contamination due to residential development in the area, raising concerns about microbial contamination, turbidity, disinfection byproduct precursors, and pesticides. Non-sanitary wastewater discharges also present contamination risks.

Additional contamination concerns come from Chemical Bulk Storage facilities, Inactive Hazardous Waste Sites, Mines, Resource Conservation sites, CSX Railroad, New York State Thruway, Recovery Act facilities, and Toxic Release Inventory sites. The river's high flow velocities make it particularly vulnerable to new and existing sources of microbial contamination.

While our source water is rated as susceptible to various contaminants, please be assured that our water undergoes thorough disinfection and treatment to ensure the finished water delivered to your home meets all New York State's municipal water standards.

For questions about source water assessment, contact the Rockland County Department of Health at 845-364-2608.

1. What do I need to do to start new service? Visit our office with photo ID, closing papers, and a deposit. For properties that never had water service, you'll also need an occupancy permit from the Building Department.
2. How do I end my service? Contact our office 24 hours ahead to schedule a final reading. For vacant properties, we'll need to schedule removal of the water meter and service shut-off, requiring someone to be present for access.
3. How long does the Water Department hold my deposit? We retain your deposit until service termination and full account payment.
4. Who should I contact regarding a shut-off notice? Please call our customer service team at the main office (219-853-6421).
5. Why is my water bill so high? In 90% of cases, inefficient plumbing is responsible, with toilet leaks being the most common culprit.
6. How can I detect a toilet leak? If you need to jiggle the handle, you likely have a leak. Another test: add food coloring to the tank, wait an hour without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, there's a leak.
7. Is my water hard or soft? Nyack's water is considered moderately hard.
8. Why is my water pressure so low? Low pressure at a single fixture typically indicates a problem with that fixture or its supply line, possibly just a clogged screen. Low pressure throughout the building could signal water meter issues, aging plumbing, undersized pipes, or a service line leak. Contact us at 219-853-6421 for building-wide pressure problems.
9. Who maintains the water service line to my property? Underground service lines to individual buildings are owned and maintained by property owners. The city is responsible only for underground mains serving entire neighborhoods.
10. How do I get my service line located? Contact Distribution at 219-853-6428.
11. How do I report a water leak in the street? All main breaks are emergencies—contact Distribution at 219-853-6428. Repair time depends on weather, location, main size/type, break severity, and pipe depth. Crews will notify affected customers and restore service as quickly as possible.
12. What should I do if my pipes freeze? First, locate your house shut-off valve (usually where service enters the basement wall) in case pipes burst, then contact a plumber for repairs.
13. Why is my water brown? Brown water results from iron and sediment disturbance in water mains due to breaks, street sweepers using hydrants, or system flushing. The water remains safe to drink but may discolor whites. Run COLD water (not hot) for several minutes. If it doesn't clear, contact Distribution at 219-853-6428.
14. Why is my water cloudy? Temporary cloudiness that clears after standing briefly is caused by air in distribution lines. Persistent cloudiness may indicate calcium presence—contact Filtration at 219-853-6439.
15. How should I maintain my water heater? Annual flushing is recommended to remove sediment buildup, improving efficiency and potentially extending unit life. Consult your owner's manual for proper procedure.