Poughkeepsie…  “We have been very focused in our efforts to ensure groundwater safety in Dutchess County.   As Dutchess County Government prepares to launch the latest component of our groundwater protection strategy, I am also pleased to see groundwater protection strategy efforts happening at many levels of government.   It is so important we continue to raise public awareness and encourage families to do private well water testing for their homes,” said County Executive Steinhaus.

County Executive Steinhaus’ key priority has always been to ensure safe drinking water for the families of Dutchess County, without subjecting them to expensive mandates.  As part of the County’s ongoing groundwater protection strategy, County Executive Steinhaus and Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Caldwell are currently preparing to announce Phase One of the multi-phased implementation for the Comprehensive Countywide Private Well Water Testing Initiative.    It was in February when County Executive Steinhaus directed the Health Department to develop the newest initiative which is expected to be an ongoing county program.

The Comprehensive Countywide Private Well Water Testing Initiative will feature the following core principles:

• New York State certified, licensed laboratories to collect and test samples.
• Dutchess County Health Department to administer the test data.
• Countywide, science based selection of well sources.
• No fee to homeowners.

This initiative will be a countywide effort to provide data which will be used in conjunction with existing databases of water test data to determine if there is evidence of groundwater contamination.  The data will be compared with the Public Water Supply database, information from private test wells in subdivisions and the NYS Attorney General/NYS Department of Environmental Conservation joint methyl tert-butyl ether testing program.

“The Comprehensive Countywide Private Well Water Testing Initiative is the continuation in a series of important strategies we have launched over many years in our groundwater protection efforts.   We have committed substantial County resources for this program with no direct personal cost to participating homeowners,” said County Executive Steinhaus.

Extensive work has been done to protect local groundwater supply through Dutchess County’s current groundwater protection programs.

• The County has set minimum acceptable requirements for the location, construction and abandonment of water wells.  As part of the permit process, information is collected on the well depth, strata and quantity during the permit process, resulting in accumulated well log information on 11,000 private wells all across Dutchess County.
• All subdivision plan reviews require the drilling and testing of monitoring wells to insure an adequate quantity and quality of safe drinking water. This serves to protect the drinking water quality of private homes and again predated New York State regulations by 10 years.  Since its inception, county government has reviewed 252 subdivisions greater than 2 lots with individual wells that require monitoring (test) wells – a total of more than 3,100 lots.    Tests include bacteriological test, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals and adequate quantity of the water supply (5 gallons per minute of water).
• More than a decade ago, the Health Department began to require organic testing for public water supplies, including testing for the gasoline additive, methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE).   Treatment systems were required to be installed where needed.  This proactive Dutchess regulation predated New York State requirements by three years.   Similar MTBE testing recommendations were made to private wells.
• Over six years ago, County Executive Steinhaus announced the creation of the Dutchess County Safe Drinking Water Enhancement Program.   The program took advantage of State funding to expand the Health Department’s ability to monitor, protect and ensure the continued safety of the County’s drinking water by expanding the sampling of public water supplies including well water from ground sources, increasing the frequency of on-site inspections, identifying vulnerable sources of water, and reviewing plans for new and modified supplies. The Health Department also expanded its sampling program by testing for a wider range of chemical contaminants, monitoring supplies formerly outside its jurisdiction, and completing annual reviews of all systems which utilize treatment for biological disinfection, or the removal of chemical contaminants encompassing more than 700 public water systems including over 1500 wells.
• County Executive Steinhaus has also long been a champion of public information distribution about the importance of drinking water safety.   Countywide mailings such as “Safe Drinking … It’s Everyone’s Responsibility” and “Safe Drinking Water, What consumers need to know & steps you take” have been distributed to residents.

The Comprehensive Countywide Private Well Water Testing Initiative will have a similar public awareness outreach effort.

In January this year, County Executive Steinhaus sent a letter to all 30 local governments discussing current water testing programs. To date, three towns have enacted local well testing laws tailored to their communities.

Steinhaus continued, “I do not believe a one size fits all mandate is the best approach. Each community has unique needs.”

“Our Comprehensive Countywide Private Well Water Testing Initiative will be a science-based program with no direct personal cost to homeowners,” concluded County Executive Steinhaus.

A formal announcement will be made in mid-September with details on how residents can participate.