Link to NYSDOH Records
https://harley508.wixsite.com/forbettergovernment/post/nysdoh-foiled-records-may-2018-october-2018
David Murray
1982 graduate Ilion High School (Regents honors)
AAS from HCCC (Environmental issues)
Ilion Water Department employee 1985-2003
Chairman of Oneida/ Herkimer County Head Start Policy council 1990-1992
Village Trustee 2006-2007 (Ran for Mayor Receiving 288 votes in a four-way race) placing third running as Independent
MUB appointee (2006-2011;2013-2015, 2015-2017)
Currently Employed as a Licensed Practical Nurse at local Nursing Home Facility 2010- present.
Homeowner/ taxpayer
Married; 5 adult children, reside with wife, Therese (Registered Nurse), eldest daughter, son in law, 4 granddaughters, at present address in Ilion at 13 Grove street for past 18 years.
DAVID MURRAY ANALYSIS
Background:
Review and analysis of FOILED documents (146 pages from the NYSDOH). These
documents contain mainly sample data conducted between the months of May-October 2018.
These dates are important in that during this time hundreds of Village residents
witnessed and voiced complaints of poor water quality, (discoloration, foul Oder, foul
metallic taste, high chlorine smell, sediments etc.). Also, in September of 2018 a second Public Informational Meeting (PIM) Was conducted by Barton and Loguidice. Hundreds of residents attended to voice their current displeasure with water quality, and to inquire and ask questions as to what was being done in the short and long terms.
Representatives from the NYS DOH were also present and recommended that the Village supply bottled water to residents during this time, out of an abundance of caution and do to the poor water quality, It must be known at no time during these months was the village under a Boil water advisory or instructed not to utilize village water. In fact officials went out of their way to announce that the water was safe to drink, although acknowledging aesthetically displeasing.
Health and Village Officials were in the preliminary stages of investigation and sampling to determine potential causes of the poor water quality issues. of concern was the " mixing" of sources of supply (wells with filtered/treated reservoir). This was sited as a potential cause in that the chemistry and treatments were vastly different, and a " clashing wave" was terminology used to describe the physical disruption of the well water being pumped directly into the distribution mains.
Other sources of poor water quality concerns were the reservoirs and the lack of oxygen, and presence of heavy metals such as iron, manganese, copper, Strontium, etc. Iron, sodium, and Sulphur were also source water(well) concerns. Stratification or non-turnover of reservoirs, was also mentioned by officials along with high water temperatures as exasperating poor water quality conditions.
FOILED Documents:
Information was requested via FOIL from NYSDOH, after much delay, 146 pages of documents were sent and received. These documents primarily contained sample data for the months of May-October 2018. The data shows that samples were taken at raw water sources including Reservoir and intakes, as well as in filters, the west Clark Street wells, and various points of the distribution system. It appears by what was being tested and analyzed that the major concern of the DOH, was the presence of heavy metals, including lead, in these points of source, treatment, and distribution. although several heavy metals were tested for, Iron and manganese appear to be the ones of most concern. In fact, the sample data shows the heavy presence of these metals during these months of focus. other contaminates such as Strontium, Barium, Sulphur, Copper, and sodium show up at elevated levels. It must be noted although at elevated levels, they did not exceed EPA Maximum Contaminated levels. However, at these elevated levels and especially over a prolonged period of time EPA does list health concerns, many ranging from gastro intestinal discomfort, to possible kidney damage issues, especially in children, the elderly and health compromised.
The Foiled Documents also show that Lead was discovered and tested for. The sources of lead contamination ranged throughout the system from raw water sources, filtered sources of supply and in the distribution system itself. The lead levels did exceed standards set forth by the DOH and their lead/ Copper rule. This resulted in additional testing of the distribution system, individual homes and business. The data is specific in time frame and additional testing for lead and or other contaminates is not known. Through press reports the public has learned that the Village is not in compliance with a mandated corrosion control program.
Summary
Village of Ilion is in noncompliance of the State's DOH lead/ copper rule. Lead has been found in the system exceeding levels set forth by the state in a representative sample pool. The Village is now mandated by DOH law/regulation to develop a corrosion control program that would greatly limit and or eliminate the presence of lead in drinking water.
The Mayor has stated when the findings were released by the Department of health, that this would be of the Village's and his highest priority. The public has not been informed of any further testing and or results, nor the progress being made on compliance of adhering to the Copper/ lead Rule and Corrosion control measures. High levels of heavy metals are widespread and prevalent in all raw water sources, finished water, and in the distribution, system including individual home and business sample sites. The most common metals are Iron. manganese, lead, and Strontium. The EPA is concerned with the levels and long-term exposure of customers to these contaminates and the potential health risks associated. poor water quality complaints continue, ranging from foul metallic taste and odor, to extreme discoloration, chlorine taste and smell.
As a result of long standing water Quality issues and events in February of 2019 ( three successive Water main breaks), that resulted in a declaration of Village State of Emergency and visit by the Governor. The Village has received a $350,000 grant from the Sate DOH. As reported in the press and stated by the Mayor, these funds are to study and collect data from the reservoirs, intakes, and wells. We have heard nothing further on the collection and sampling process from the State or Village officials nor what they may be looking for and most importantly no results or findings have yet been shared.
The Village has voted on and received 40% grant funding of a $4 million-dollar water transmission line to run from the current West Clark Street wells to the water treatment plant. This was explained by Engineers and the Mayor as being a necessary capital project to elevate the mixing of filtered and well water in the distribution system and the high pressures of pushing water from the wells against gravity fed filtered water. the current operations and configuration is what was offered as the reasons for discolored, foul smelling and tasting drinking water. The construction of this line was also told to be necessary if the Village decided to purchase treated drinking water from the Mohawk Valley Water Authority. It must be noted that the Leonard administration considered legal action against the original engineers McDonald, for faulty design and engineering that was approved by the DOH, USDA, and the Stephens Administration, but ultimately was never pursued.
The village has filed numerous grant applications with the assistance of Barton and Loguidice via the New York State Consolidated Funds program. Financial assistance estimated at upwards of $40 million dollars for water distribution capital improvements as well as possible upgrades to current facilities Treatment plant reservoirs, filters, intakes) or purchasing bulk water and turning over management of the water system to the MVWA is what are being sought and hoped for. State, County and local elected officials, along with various State agencies (DEC, DOH, Office of General Services leaders of various adjoining municipalities) have met to determine if regional collaboration could be a possible answer if regional collaboration could be a possible answer to not only solving Ilion's water issues but those of adjoining communities as well. The Village of Ilion has not held a formal VB meeting, nor Public information meeting (PIM) in nearly a year, regarding water quality/ infrastructure improvements, being on the agenda.
One known special meeting was held in and around May 2018 not properly advertised or in accordance with Open meeting laws, in which the VB was updated on many capital projects, no minutes or actions were reportedly not taken. The Municipal Utilities Board ( MUB) who is charged with making recommendations and advisements has had virtually zero discussions or feedback regarding Village water quality, capital improvement projects. The Planning Board as well is not assisting in the process and how these capital improvements may or may not affect comprehensive plans. The Village in fact does not have a comprehensive village plan.
Recommendations: 1. Moving forward the Village, must do a better job communicating information and data sharing with the public in regard to its public drinking water quality, safety, and proposed capital improvements. This is best done through holding another Public informational meeting with State, County, and local officials and agencies, along with the Engineering firm in charge. Public questions and inquiries can be best addressed and answered in these settings as was shown in the previous PIM's
2. The Village and department must show that there is an operational and managerial plan in place to deal with the "short term "water quality/ infrastructure issues., prior to long term solutions. The burden cannot always be placed on the backs of the public, asking to conserve, be patient, don't fill pools, continue to buy bottled water, etc. We have been doing this for years.
3. Improvements must start now, not when grants may or may not be received. The 4million dollar transmission line is a start, but only a small necessary one. Distribution improvements as outlined in the Engineers proposals need to take place now. Mismanagement and poor fiscal planning and rate structures in the past and that continue have placed the Department in a predicament that there are no funds available for capital reserve projects, maintenance or improvements. A Rate study review should be undertaken and a rates projection to cover expenses over the next 10 years institutes in annual rate increases which are more palatable to the user and efficient in planning and operations.
Conclusion:
The village of Ilion water system is well over 100 years old. Not enough was done managerially or operationally over the decades to keep up with maintenance, and improvements to the system. Improvements that were made, such as construction of number three reservoir, and the addition of treatment techniques and options such as micro straining, rapid filtration( D.E Filters), water softeners, fluoridation, pumps, wells and storage facilities( Russell park tank), became quickly obsolete and unusable do in large part to changing water chemistry of raw water sources, and poor managerial operations and stewardship of these resources.
They have since been literally thrown in the scrap pile or remain un usable, such as Russel park tank and #3 reservoir, At the costs of tens of millions of dollars. The wells due to intimal poor design, engineering and approval needed alone 4-million-dollar transmission line to save grace.
The most logical and financial conclusion one can draw based on the data, records and facts of 100 years is to disband current facilities of the Department, and enter into an agreement with MVWA ( Mohawk Valley Water Authority) for public drinking water supply management and services. 18 municipalities in Oneida County agreed that this was the best for them and today have affordable, safe and abundant drinking water.
Small communities like Ilion cannot do it alone, as witnessed by the creation of the Authority. The Mayor of Ilion Mr. Lamica agrees that alone Ilion would have to put up a sign Bankrupt/ out of business.
MVWA has millions in investments, state of the art newly constructed Water treatment plant, with millions of gallons in reserve treatment capacity and raw water source. The authority has shown and is accredited by independent auditors and accountants to be very financially sound and stable. This is something quite frankly the Village and most government run operations cannot lay claim too. The choice is obvious, and Remember the great Franklin D. Roosevelt, " We have nothing to fear, but fear itself!"
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