Plattsburgh City

OUR WATER SOURCE

Plattsburgh's municipal water is drawn from 12 wells located throughout the community that tap into the Magothy aquifer beneath Long Island. The water quality from this aquifer is typically excellent, though specific areas may contain localized contaminants. To ensure your tap water remains safe for consumption, both state regulations and EPA guidelines establish limits on certain contaminants in public water systems.

COMMUNITY SERVED

The Plattsburgh Water District served approximately 34,000 residents during 2018. Total water extraction from the aquifer reached 1.786 billion gallons, with nearly 92% directly billed to consumers. The remaining 8.2% supported essential services including firefighting, system maintenance, testing, and addressing infrastructure issues.

WATER SOURCES AND POTENTIAL CONTAMINANTS

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances from animal or human activities. Potential contaminants include microbial agents, inorganic compounds, pesticides, organic chemicals, and radioactive materials.

WATER TREATMENT PROCESS

The Plattsburgh Water District treats all well water before distribution. Treatment includes pH adjustment with lime to reduce corrosion in water mains and household plumbing. Chlorination maintains a 0.2 mg/L residual to prevent bacterial growth. At Plant No. 4, wells with high nitrate levels are blended with low-nitrate wells to meet the 10 mg/L regulatory limit. Carbon adsorption systems remove volatile organic compounds at specific wells, while air stripping technology treats others.

CONSERVATION INITIATIVES

While Long Island's underground water system currently meets community needs, conservation efforts ensure future generations will have abundant clean water. The district has implemented a comprehensive conservation program that includes retrofitting plumbing fixtures, upgrading irrigation systems with smart controllers and rain sensors, and promoting leak detection. These measures not only protect precious water resources but also generate cost savings for consumers through reduced water and energy bills.

Common Questions About Municipal Water Systems

How are water shortages addressed in America?
Some coastal regions in California face freshwater shortages that require innovative solutions. Approaches include desalination facilities that remove salt from seawater, construction of pipeline networks to transport water from water-rich areas to arid communities, and ongoing engineering efforts to develop sustainable, environmentally responsible water delivery systems.

How are water rates determined?
Public water utilities typically set their own rates without state oversight. Private water companies, however, must submit rate increase requests to their state's Public Utilities Commission for approval. These private companies can earn reasonable returns on prudent investments, though returns aren't guaranteed and depend on operational efficiency. Regulators evaluate both capital investments and management practices when considering rate adjustments.

How should I prepare for drought conditions?
During periods of water scarcity caused by abnormal weather patterns or resource challenges, local authorities may implement conservation requirements. Visit our Wise Water Use section for practical conservation strategies that help preserve this essential resource.

How does water reach my home?
The water infrastructure system functions through three primary components: pumping stations extract raw water from sources like aquifers or rivers; treatment facilities process this water to meet EPA standards; and distribution systems—networks of pipes spanning over 700,000 miles nationwide—deliver treated water to homes, businesses, and public facilities.

What ensures my tap water is safe to drink?
The 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act authorized the EPA to establish 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 perform numerous daily tests to verify water quality and compliance with these regulations.