The Town of Canadice Water Quality Report for 2024 for Canadice Water District No. 1 Public Water Supply ID#3430047
Town of Canadice
5949 County Road #37
Springwater, NY 14560
Telephone: (585) 367-2050
www.canadiceny.gov
INTRODUCTION
To comply with State regulations, Canadice Water District No 1. issues an annual report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources. In 2024, your tap water met all State drinking water health standards. We are pleased to report that our system did not violate a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. This report provides an overview of last year’s (calendar 2024) water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards.
The Town Board wants you to be informed about your drinking water and that the system is in compliance with all drinking water standards and regulations. If you have questions about this report or concerning your drinking water you are welcome to attend a Canadice Town Board meeting to learn more. Meeting dates and information on attending in person or via Zoom are posted on the Town website. You may also contact Eileen Schaefer, Town Clerk/Tax Collector (585) 367-2050, ext. 2 with your question and the appropriate official will get back to you with a response.
Should you require further information, you can also contact the City of Rochester’s Water Quality Lab at (585) 428-6680, ext 1. The City produces an Annual Water Quality Report on their process in detail; the report can be found at www.cityofrochester.gov/waterquality.
WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?
In general, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activities. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: microbial contaminants; inorganic contaminants; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemical contaminants; and radioactive contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the State and the EPA prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The State Health Departments and the FDA’s regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Our water system currently serves approximately 1,200 people through 298 service connections. Our water source is Canadice and Hemlock Lakes and the water is treated at the City of Rochester’s Hemlock Water Treatment Plant. The Hemlock Water Filtration Plant is a direct filtration plant with a design capacity of 48 million gallons of water per day and employs the processes involving pH adjustment,
coagulation, filtration, disinfection and fluoridation. Water is drawn off of the City’s transmission system at a Monroe County Water Authority connection on Shetler Road and is pumped through the Town of Richmond and supplied to us at the Canadice/Richmond town line. A pumping station transmits water to a distribution system consisting of 6.1 miles of water main and a 200,000 gallon water storage tank. Water flows by gravity from the tank and is re-chlorinated as water exits the storage tank. The tank is supplied with an internal mixing system to aid in maintaining water quality and a spray aeration system to off gas disinfection by products.
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT SUMMARY:
To raise awareness about the importance of preventing water pollution, the NYS Department of Health (NYSDOH) has evaluated the susceptibility of water supplies statewide for potential contamination under the Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP). Through its assessment of the Hemlock/Canadice Lake watershed, SWAP identified several potential sources of contamination, none particularly noteworthy. The City’s extensive testing of these pristine lakes confirms that contamination from human activity is negligible. For more information on SWAP, please call the NYSDOH, Geneva District Office at (315) 789-3030.
FACTS AND FIGURES
In calendar year 2024, we pumped, on average 27,182 gallons per day to meet the daily demand for customers and water quality. The total amount of water pumped was 9,962,639 gallons. The amount of water billed to customers was approximately 8,158,598 gallons. The difference in these figures is non-revenue water (NRW). The NRW is used for firefighting purposes, water main flushing, or otherwise attributed to distribution system leaks, meter and billing inaccuracies and water illegally obtained. Our highest one-day total of water pumped into the distribution system was 116,122 gallons. The Town charges users of the system $35.00 per quarter plus $.0080 per gallon.
ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN OUR DRINKING WATER?
As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. These contaminants include: total coliform, turbidity, inorganic compounds, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper, volatile organic compounds, total trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, radiological and synthetic organic compounds. The table presented below depicts which compounds were detected in your drinking water. The State allows us to test for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of the data, though representative, are more than one year old.
It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426- 4791 or the New York State Department of Health at (315) 789-3030.
The complete list of contaminants tested in the source water is available at www.cityofrochester.gov/waterquality
Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Non-Detects (ND): Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.
Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one million parts of liquid (parts per million - ppm).
Micrograms per liter (ug/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one billion parts of liquid (parts per billion - ppb).
Nanograms per liter (ng/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid to one trillion parts of liquid (parts per trillion - ppt).
Millirems per year (mrem/yr): A measure of radiation absorbed by the body.
Million Fibers per Liter (MFL): A measure of the presence of asbestos fibers that are longer than 10 micrometers.
WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION MEAN?
As you can see by the table, our system had no violations. We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Our water system partners with the City of Rochester in order to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently completed an administrative review of the City of Rochester’s compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. Their review has concluded that in 1998, NYSDOH incorrectly approved the City’s optimal corrosion control treatment designation. As a result, NYSDOH has revoked that approval, and issued the City a violation of the New York State Sanitary Code for failure to have an optimal corrosion control treatment in place. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did (and are doing) to correct this situation.
What does this mean?
It is important to note, this is not an emergency, and nothing has changed with regard to water quality or lead levels in the samples we collect. The City has operated under the approval granted by NYSDOH since 1998 and has never exceeded the lead Action Level since the Lead and Copper Rule was established in 1991. We work with the city to conduct routine sampling of our water at customers’ taps for lead. The tests continue to show lead levels in the water below the limit, or “action level” of 15 parts per billion. Additionally, the Canadice Water District has NO lead service lines.
What is being done?
The City began a comprehensive corrosion control treatment study in 2022 in anticipation of the recently released Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. This study will identify a treatment method that will help further reduce lead in drinking water. It is anticipated that the study will be completed in the Spring of 2026. Once approved, the City will then add the selected corrosion control technology to our treatment process which will bring us back into compliance.
What should I do?
Again, this is not an emergency, and nothing has changed with regard to the City’s treatment processes, or lead levels. In the mean time, you can use these simple steps to minimize lead in your tap water:
If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OPERATIONS?
During 2024, our system was in compliance with applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.
DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?
Although our drinking water met or exceeded state and federal regulations, 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 City of Rochester at the Hemlock Water Treatment Plant before it is delivered to us. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, fluoride is very effective in preventing cavities when present in drinking water at a properly controlled level. To ensure that the fluoride supplement in your water provides optimal dental protection, the City monitors fluoride levels on a daily basis to make sure fluoride is maintained at an optimal level of 0.7 mg/l. During the calendar year 2024 monitoring showed that fluoride levels in your water were within 0.1 mg/l of the target level 99% of the time.
WHY SAVE WATER AND HOW TO AVOID WASTING IT?
Although our system has an adequate amount of water to meet present and future demands, there are a number of reasons why it is important to conserve water:
You can play a role in conserving water by becoming conscious of the amount of water your household is using, and by looking for ways to use less whenever you can. It is not hard to conserve water. Conservation tips include:
CLOSING
We are pleased to have this public water system available to provide your family with quality drinking water. In order to maintain a safe and dependable water supply we sometimes need to make improvements that will benefit all of our customers. The costs of these improvements may be reflected in the rate structure. Rate adjustments may be necessary in order to address these improvements. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community. Please call our office if you have questions.
For an electronic copy of this please visit our website at: www.canadiceny.gov/awqr
Please find an electronic copy of this here.
Definitions:
Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible.
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.
Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Non-Detects (ND): Laboratory analysis indicates that the constituent is not present.
Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A measure of the clarity of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.
Milligrams per liter (mg/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one million parts of liquid (parts per million - ppm).
Micrograms per liter (ug/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid in one billion parts of liquid (parts per billion - ppb).
Nanograms per liter (ng/l): Corresponds to one part of liquid to one trillion parts of liquid (parts per trillion - ppt).
Millirems per year (mrem/yr): A measure of radiation absorbed by the body.
Million Fibers per Liter (MFL): A measure of the presence of asbestos fibers that are longer than 10 micrometers.
WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION MEAN?
As you can see by the table, our system had no violations. We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Our water system partners with the City of Rochester in order to comply with the Lead and Copper Rule. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) recently completed an administrative review of the City of Rochester’s compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. Their review has concluded that in 1998, NYSDOH incorrectly approved the City’s optimal corrosion control treatment designation. As a result, NYSDOH has revoked that approval, and issued the City a violation of the New York State Sanitary Code for failure to have an optimal corrosion control treatment in place. As our customers, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we did (and are doing) to correct this situation.
What does this mean?
It is important to note, this is not an emergency, and nothing has changed with regard to water quality or lead levels in the samples we collect. The City has operated under the approval granted by NYSDOH since 1998 and has never exceeded the lead Action Level since the Lead and Copper Rule was established in 1991. We work with the city to conduct routine sampling of our water at customers’ taps for lead. The tests continue to show lead levels in the water below the limit, or “action level” of 15 parts per billion. Additionally, the Canadice Water District has NO lead service lines.
What is being done?
The City began a comprehensive corrosion control treatment study in 2022 in anticipation of the recently released Lead and Copper Rule Improvements. This study will identify a treatment method that will help further reduce lead in drinking water. It is anticipated that the study will be completed in the Spring of 2026. Once approved, the City will then add the selected corrosion control technology to our treatment process which will bring us back into compliance.
What should I do?
Again, this is not an emergency, and nothing has changed with regard to the City’s treatment processes, or lead levels. In the mean time, you can use these simple steps to minimize lead in your tap water:
- Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. Hot water dissolves lead in household plumbing more quickly.
- Flush your pipes any time water has been unused for more than 4-6 hours. Lead levels are highest when water has been sitting in the plumbing that has lead in it. Run your cold water for 3 minutes to ensure complete flushing.
- Use a water filter that is certified NSF 53 to remove lead. Find out more at www.nsf.org.
If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OPERATIONS?
During 2024, our system was in compliance with applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.
DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS?
Although our drinking water met or exceeded state and federal regulations, 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 City of Rochester at the Hemlock Water Treatment Plant before it is delivered to us. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, fluoride is very effective in preventing cavities when present in drinking water at a properly controlled level. To ensure that the fluoride supplement in your water provides optimal dental protection, the City monitors fluoride levels on a daily basis to make sure fluoride is maintained at an optimal level of 0.7 mg/l. During the calendar year 2024 monitoring showed that fluoride levels in your water were within 0.1 mg/l of the target level 99% of the time.
WHY SAVE WATER AND HOW TO AVOID WASTING IT?
Although our system has an adequate amount of water to meet present and future demands, there are a number of reasons why it is important to conserve water:
- Saving water saves energy and some of the costs associated with both of these necessities of life;
- Saving water reduces the cost of energy required to pump water and the need to construct costly new wells, pumping systems and water towers; and
- Saving water lessens the strain on the water system during a dry spell or drought, helping to avoid severe water use restrictions so that essential firefighting needs are met.
You can play a role in conserving water by becoming conscious of the amount of water your household is using, and by looking for ways to use less whenever you can. It is not hard to conserve water. Conservation tips include:
- Automatic dishwashers use 15 gallons for every cycle, regardless of how many dishes are loaded. So get a run for your money and load it to capacity.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
- Consider a rain barrel; your plants will do better with rainwater than treated tap water.
- Consider a low flush toilet; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says the average family could save as much as 13,000 gallons of water a year.
- Check every faucet in your home for leaks. Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. Fix it and you can save almost 6,000 gallons per year.
- Check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl. It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day from one of these otherwise invisible toilet leaks. Fix it and you save more than 30,000 gallons a year.
CLOSING
We are pleased to have this public water system available to provide your family with quality drinking water. In order to maintain a safe and dependable water supply we sometimes need to make improvements that will benefit all of our customers. The costs of these improvements may be reflected in the rate structure. Rate adjustments may be necessary in order to address these improvements. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community. Please call our office if you have questions.
For an electronic copy of this please visit our website at: www.canadiceny.gov/awqr
Please find an electronic copy of this here.