In compliance with State and Federal regulations, The Town of Ballston annually issues this 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. Last year, your tap water met all State drinking water health standards. We are proud to report that The Town of Glenville and our system has never violated a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality statement. This report provides an overview of last year's water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards.

The Town of Ballston purchases our water from the Town of Glenville and 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 case, radioactive materials, 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 that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The State Health Department's and the FDA's regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health. 

The Glenville Water Supply System is located west of the Village of Scotia between New York State Route 5 and the Mohawk River, a little west of the Route 5 and Van Buren Lane intersection. The Glenville water supply is taken from the Great Flats Aquifer (also known as the Schenectady Aquifer) through four drilled wells approximately 50-feet deep. The Great Flats Aquifer is one of the most productive in the State of New York and supplies the nearby Village of Scotia wells, the City of Schenectady well field, and the Town of Rotterdam wells. The aquifer is an extensive bed of sands and gravel underlying the Mohawk River channel. The Great Flats Aquifer produces clear, clean water without any major chemical constituents except the hardness.

During 2007, our system and the Glenville system did not experience any restriction of our water source. Prior to distribution the Glenville well water is pumped into a clear well where it is given disinfecting treatment with chlorine before being pumped into the transmission and distribution mains. A chlorine residual of 0.2 is maintained throughout the distribution system as required by New York State Department of Health Regulations as continuing insurance against any bacterial growth occurring within the system.

The NYS DOH has completed a source water assessment for this system, based on available information. Possible and actual threats to this drinking water source were evaluated. The state source water assessment includes a susceptibility rating based on the risk posed by each potential source of contamination and how easily contaminants can move through the subsurface to the wells. The susceptibility rating is an estimate of the potential for contamination of the source water, it does not mean that the water delivered to consumers is, or will become contaminated. The section off the report entitled, "Are there contaminants in our drinking water?" provides a list of the contaminants that have been detected. As mentioned earlier in this report, our drinking water is derived from 4-drilled wells. The source water assessment has rated these wells as having an elevated susceptibility. In addition, the wells draw from an unconfined aquifer and the overlying soils are not known to provide adequate protection from potential contamination. A copy of the assessment, including a map of the assessment area can be obtained by contacting us, as noted below.

While the source water assessment rates our well(s) as being susceptible to microbial, please note that our water is disinfected to ensure that the finished water delivered into your home meets New York State's drinking water standards for microbial contamination.

The Glenville Water District # 11 recognizes the importance of watershed protection by implementing Watershed Rules and Regulations along with zoning restrictions. In 2004 many of the water related sites in the Town of Glenville were fenced off and alarm systems added for increased security.

The Town of Ballston water system serves 1,855 service connections in the Town. The total water usage in 2007 was 122,260,400 gallons. The daily average for June, July and August was 428,059 gallons. The daily average for all of 2007 was 334,960 gallons. The entire distribution system has been designed to provide the fire flows required by the Insurance Services Organization for recognition as acceptable for "protected" fire insurance rates. All water services and customers are metered in the town.

Current water rates for the Town of Ballston are $3.30 per 1,000 gallons with a minimum annual charge of $15.00 Additional information regarding other charges such as tapping fees can be found on our Web Page or by calling the Town of Ballston Water Department at 518-885-7660 Ext. 24. Metered usage charges pay for the water system operation and maintenance. Water system capital costs are raised through additional ad valorem charges, which vary with age of the particular extension which brought water service to the property, and the particular capital recovery charge system adopted for that extension at the time. All customers also share in ad valorem tax charges for system capital improvements benefiting everyone, which typically will amount to a few cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. There were 180 microbiological samples taken throughout the system. The Town of Glenville is required to collect 15 samples every month. The Town of Ballston is required to take 5 samples every month. They are tested for coli form bacteria and chlorine residual. Ninety-two elements consisting of Synthetic-Organic Chemicals, Principal Organic Chemicals, Total Trihalomethanes and Primary Inorganic Chemicals were tested for in 2004. Nitrate was also included in those tests. Any parameters at detectable levels will appear are in the following table.

Radiological test for three parameters were done in 2001. The results for all three tests were at a detectable level so they appear in the following table.

The test results from 2001 also included twelve elements that are presently unregulated by the state with the results showing an undetectable level for all twelve.

In 2005, the Town of Glenville conducted sampling at 30 sites for lead. The 90th percentile for the lead tests was 3.0 ug/l. The sample results ranged from <1 ug/l to 95 ug/l. We comply with the state because less than 5% of the samples exceeded the 15 ug/l Action Level. In 2005 the town also conducted sampling at 30 sites for copper. The 90th percentile for the copper tests was 0.14 mg/l. The sample results ranged from <0.001 mg/l to .220 mg/l. The Action Level for copper is >1.3 mg/l. In 2008 Glenville will again test for lead and copper in the system.

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 our 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 Schenectady County Health Department at 386-2818

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).

Picograms per liter (pg/l): Corresponds to one part per of liquid to one quadrillion parts of liquid (parts per quadrillion – ppq).

Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water.

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.

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.

During 2007, our system and the Town of Glenville system were in compliance with applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements.

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. Immune-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).

Why Save Water and How to Avoid Wasting It?

In 2006 the Town of Glenville began construction of the expansion of the water treatment facility. The start up date for this project was June 5, 2007. This expansion doubles the production capacity of the facility while increasing dependability with backup power capability for use during power failures. Glenville continues to study the issue of hardness reduction for the water treatment plant. The state does not require them to soften the water; they are looking at the most cost effective solution.

Volunteers Needed. The Town of Ballston needs to take 20 water samples for lead & copper required by NYSDOH from residents who live in Water Dist. #2 starting in June and completed by September, 2008. Any one interested can come in and get a test bottle with directions for taking the sample. Samples need to be returned to the Water Department at the Town Hall. Please call the Water Department if you would like to participate. Results will be posted in next years report.

P.O. Box 50

Burnt Hills, NY 12027-0050