Plainview WD

The Plainview Water District is proud to present this year's Water Quality Report as required by Federal and State regulations. This report aims to inform residents about the quality of water and services delivered daily to our community of 34,000 people.

Our primary goal is providing safe, reliable water while continuously improving our treatment processes and protecting our water infrastructure. The Board of Water Commissioners, who are also community residents, along with our staff are fully committed to delivering the highest quality water to your family.

Water for our district comes from 12 wells throughout the community that tap into the Magothy aquifer beneath Long Island. The aquifer's quality is generally good-to-excellent, though specific areas show contamination concerns. In 2017, we withdrew 1.69 billion gallons from this aquifer, with 98.5% directly billed to consumers and 1.5% used for essential services like firefighting, system maintenance, and addressing infrastructure issues.

To ensure safety, we provide treatment at all wells before distribution. This includes:

• pH adjustment using lime to reduce pipe corrosion
• Chlorination to maintain a minimum 0.2 mg/l residual to prevent bacterial growth
• Blending high-nitrate water with low-nitrate water at Plant No. 4
• Carbon adsorbent systems at Wells 1-2 and 3-2 for organic compound removal
• Air stripping treatment at multiple wells (2-1, 4-2, 4-3, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4, 7-1, 7-2) for volatile organic compound removal

Water sources (both 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 material, and can pick up substances from animal or human activities. These potential contaminants include microbes, inorganic compounds, pesticides, herbicides, organic chemicals, and radioactive elements.

Are there locations with water shortages in America? If so, what types of solutions are carried out?

Several coastal areas in California experience freshwater shortages. To address these challenges, communities implement various solutions including desalination (removing salt from seawater) and constructing underground pipeline networks to transport water from regions with abundant resources. Engineers constantly develop innovative approaches to provide reliable water access to communities nationwide.

How are water rates determined?

Public water utilities typically establish their own rates without state public utility commission approval. Private companies, however, must apply through their state's Public Utilities Commission when seeking rate increases. Private providers can earn reasonable returns on prudent capital investments, though returns aren't guaranteed and depend on operational efficiency. Regulators evaluate whether infrastructure investments are reasonable and operations are prudent before approving rate changes.

How can I prepare for a drought?

When drier and warmer conditions affect water supplies, many regions implement conservation measures. During mandated restrictions, local authorities provide specific guidance. Visit our Wise Water Use section for effective conservation strategies.

How does municipal water reach my tap?

The water system has three main components: pumping stations extract raw water from sources like aquifers or rivers; treatment facilities purify this water to meet EPA standards; and the distribution system—a network of pipes spanning over 700,000 miles nationwide—delivers water to homes, businesses, and fire hydrants. American Water alone maintains 48,000 miles of pipeline infrastructure.

How is water treated?

After collection from the source, water enters treatment facilities where engineers employ chemical processes and filtration systems designed specifically for local needs. As community demands increase, additional resources and investments are required to maintain compliance with quality standards established by the EPA and state regulations.

How do I know if my water is safe to drink?

The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 authorized the EPA to set standards for all community water systems serving more than 25 people. These health-based standards protect against both natural and human-made contaminants. Municipal utilities conduct numerous daily tests to ensure water quality compliance.