Pleasantville Water District

To meet state and federal regulations, Pleasantville Water Division releases an annual report detailing our water quality. This document aims to enhance your understanding of municipal water and emphasize the importance of protecting our water sources. It provides a summary of last year's water quality testing results, including information about water origins, composition, and compliance with State standards. We're pleased to report that your tap water met all State municipal water requirements last year.

For questions about this report, please contact the Superintendent of Public Works at 914-769-1690. For more information, attend our Village Board meetings, which are scheduled on our website: www.Pleasantville-NY.gov. These meetings are also broadcast on Cable Channel 76.

Our water originates from the New York Aqueduct and Reservoir Systems via the Town of New Castle's Millwood Water Treatment Plant (MWTP). Pleasantville owns 15.83% of this facility. The system primarily draws from the Catskill Aqueduct System (Ashokan reservoir) and secondarily from the New Croton Aqueduct (Croton Reservoir System). We prefer the Catskill source due to its typically superior water quality and lower cost.

The NYS Department of Health has evaluated our water supply's vulnerability to contamination through the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP). These assessments used available information to estimate potential source water contamination risks. It's important to note that elevated susceptibility ratings don't indicate that contamination has occurred or will occur – Pleasantville provides treatment and monitoring to ensure water safety.

Our water comes from NYC watersheds where protection programs focus on strengthened regulations, land acquisition, and pollution prevention partnerships. The main quality concerns relate to agricultural and residential land uses that could contribute microbial contaminants, pesticides, and nutrients. While there are concerns about wastewater, advanced treatment systems minimize these risks.

Common Questions About Municipal Water

Are there water shortages in America, and what solutions exist?
Several coastal California regions face water supply challenges. Engineers implement various solutions including desalination technology that removes salt from seawater, and infrastructure projects that transport water from water-rich areas to drier communities through underground pipeline networks. Water management professionals continuously develop more efficient and sustainable delivery methods to serve communities nationwide.

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

What should I do during drought conditions?
Many regions experience water shortages due to climate conditions and resource limitations. When conservation becomes mandatory, local authorities provide specific guidelines. Visit our Wise Water Use section for practical water conservation strategies.

How does municipal water reach my home?
The water infrastructure is straightforward yet sophisticated. Water travels through three main components: pumping stations extract raw water from sources like aquifers or rivers; treatment facilities purify the water to meet EPA standards; and distribution systems—networks of pipes spanning over 700,000 miles nationally (more than triple the length of the US highway system)—deliver water to homes and businesses.

How is municipal water treated?
After collection from underground aquifers, rivers, reservoirs, or lakes, water enters treatment facilities where engineers employ specialized chemical and filtration processes tailored to each community's specific needs. These facilities continuously adapt as population demands increase, ensuring ongoing compliance with standards established by the EPA and state agencies.

How can I verify my water's safety?
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 authorized the EPA to establish standards for all community water systems serving more than 25 people. These health-based guidelines protect against both natural and human-made contaminants. Water utilities conduct numerous daily tests to ensure exceptional quality reaches consumers.