Some people may be more vulnerable to disease causing microorganisms or pathogens in drinking water than the general population.  Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections.  These people should seek advice from their health care provider about their drinking water.  EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, Giardia and other microbial pathogens are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

INFORMATION ON FLUORIDE ADDITION

Our system is one of the many drinking water systems in New York State that provides drinking water with a controlled, low level of fluoride for consumer dental health protection.  Fluoride is added to your water by the NYCDEP for the Shaft 22 Delaware Aqueduct connections and by WJWW for the Rye Lake intake.  According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, fluoride is very effective in preventing cavities when present in drinking water at an optimal range from 0.8 to 1.2 mg/l (parts per million).  To ensure that the fluoride supplement in your water provides optimal dental protection, the State Department of Health requires that we monitor fluoride levels on a daily basis.  During 2009, monitoring showed fluoride levels at our Rye Lake intake were in the optimal range 68% of the time.  None of the monitoring results showed fluoride at levels that approach the 2.2 mg/l MCL for fluoride.

During 2009, fluoride was not continuously supplied in the Catskill/Delaware System due to repair work on the fluoride feed system. Fluoridation on the Delaware System was offline 16% of the time with the longest period of fluoridation interruption being approximately 23 days, from September 22, 2009 through October 15, 2009, due to a silica build up in the acid solution pipe. NYSDOH Bureau of Dental Health has indicated that a brief interruption of fluoridation to the Catskill/Delaware System is not expected to have a significant impact on dental health. Interruption of fluoridation in 2009 did not require public notification.  None of the monitoring results showed fluoride at levels that approach the 2.2 mg/l MCL for fluoride.