Watertown City

To comply with State and Federal regulations, the Watertown Water Division issues an annual report describing the quality of your municipal water. This report aims to enhance your understanding of tap water and raise awareness about protecting our water sources.

Last year, your tap water met all State and Federal health standards except for disinfection byproducts Trihalomethanes (THM) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). This report provides an overview of last year's water quality, including information about water sources, composition, and comparison to regulatory standards.

If you have questions about this report or your municipal water, please contact Vicky M. Murphy, Superintendent of Water, at (315) 785-7757. We encourage you to be informed about your water supply. You can learn more by attending City Council meetings, typically held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 7:00 pm in the City Council chambers.

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?

Our water source is the Black River, a surface water supply originating in the Adirondack Mountains flowing through the city center and westward to Black River Bay. During 2017, our system faced no restrictions on water supply. The Black River's flow is regulated by the Hudson-Black River Regulating District and controlled by several hydroelectric power dams.

Even at full capacity (15 million gallons daily), Watertown's Water Treatment Plant would use only 2.3% of the Black River's minimum flow. The water undergoes comprehensive treatment before distribution. The water purification building and main pumping station were reconstructed between 1987-1991.

The treatment process includes adding liquid alum and nonionic polymer to coagulate and settle impurities. The settled water is pumped to the processing complex where polyaluminum chloride and polymers are added before filtration. Carbon may be introduced to address taste and odor issues. The filtered water is disinfected with chlorine, treated with sodium silicate for corrosion control, and fluoridated to support dental health.

WATER SYSTEM ASSESSMENT AND STATISTICS

The NYSDOH has evaluated this public water supply's susceptibility to contamination under the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP). This assessment indicates the water is most vulnerable to microbial contaminants from farmland and permitted discharges within the watershed. Mining operations can contribute sediment and turbidity, while transportation routes pose potential contamination risks.

The water system serves approximately 26,705 residents in Watertown and about 23,000 additional customers in surrounding towns. There are roughly 8,250 service connections in Watertown. In 2017, total plant output reached 1,756,446,000 gallons, with a daily average of 4,812,000 gallons.

The annual cost for a residential user consuming 30 units (22,440 gallons) quarterly is $357.60, averaging $3.984 per thousand gallons. The minimum residential billing is $33.30 quarterly, based on 9 units (6,732 gallons).

1. I posted a bond for someone, how do I get my money back?
2. How do I apply for a parking ticket dismissal?
3. When is my court date scheduled?
4. How can I request a court date change?
5. I received a traffic citation, is there a course available to keep it off my record?
6. I received a juror questionnaire, what should I do with it?
7. What are the options for paying a citation?
8. My employer is requesting copies of my previous citations, how can I obtain these records?
9. What's the process for obtaining a parking permit?