by Deb Alter
The EPA has finally definitively advised residents of Hoosick Falls not to drink or cook with Village water. It is safe for showering and bathing. The statement, dated December 17, has been supported by the Village and posted on its website: www.villageofhoosickfalls.com.
[private]Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato said, “I am thankful that the EPA is finally acknowledging the issue here. I feel that voluntary disclosure from Saint-Gobain of the level of contamination at their facility is largely what is driving their involvement now. The EPA and the NYS DOH are cooperating in developing mutual guidelines for the community. That is a positive step.”
Recently, because of the water issue, the Village of Hoosick Falls has been getting some bad press, particularly from the Albany Times Union. According to DiDonato, “It seems to me that the Times Union is more interested in weaving a story that would make an interesting screenplay, rather than developing an unbiased and in-depth report on the situation here in Hoosick Falls. Neither I—nor to the best of my knowledge—any other Board members were asked what actions the Board has taken in this process since discovery of PFOA.” He continued, “The reporting has caused unnecessary division among our citizens, and alarm among readership from other communities. I think readers should expect more integrity from the area’s largest newspaper.” He pointed out that not all media outlets have treated this issue so maliciously.
When the Village first announced the news that Saint-Gobain would be building the Village a $2.2 million-dollar, scientifically proven filtration system, as well as free drinking water until the plant is up and running, and other things still in negotiation, it was originally greeted as positive news; there was even applause at the meeting. But, he said, “There is a good percentage of our population that feels it could have come sooner, and that our efforts to communicate what was going on to the public could have been better. I don’t fault them for those opinions. I think we’d all have liked to arrive at this point without a hitch.” He added, “The important thing is that we have arrived at a positive outcome, and though it will require some more sacrifices till it is finished, it will be good for the Village in the end.” The Village Board had reached out to local, state, and federal leaders and health and environmental agencies for help in finding a solution from the very beginning of the process and have been working with them ever since. Marchione, Gillibrand, Gibson, the Governor’s office…Mayor Borge has continuously requested support, but, DiDonato explained, funding has been unavailable because of PFOA’s status as an “unregulated contaminant.” Other municipal water systems in the state are considered to be in worse straits because they have contamination from regulated or biological contaminants. He said that Gibson has pleaded to FEMA on Hoosick Falls’ behalf.
The engineering firms that researched alternatives for a temporary filtration system came to the conclusion it wasn’t feasible. But, DiDonato said, ”If another viable alternative arises that makes it an option, we’d certainly be open to exploring that. That just makes sense. In the meantime, bottled water will be available until our full water system is free of PFOA. Temporary point-of-use systems are being installed at businesses in the community where it is impractical to use the bottled water.”
In an effort to keep the community better informed and updated, the Mayor has drafted a letter that will be mailed to Village households and which will include the latest EPA press release (the same one that is on the Village website) Residents can expect the letter to arrive this week, and it is on the Village website now.
Also on the Village website is a link to an updated (December 18) PFOA fact sheet from the NYS Department of Health, including specific information about Hoosick Falls PFOA levels and health advisories.
Additionally, a step-by-step, detailed Preliminary Water Plant Upgrade Schedule has been posted on the Hoosick Falls website. The system is expected to be operational no later than this coming October, and very possibly sooner.
“Since the initial turmoil in the community after the announcement, things are calming down and community members are starting initiatives based on cooperation and helping their neighbors through this difficult time. I would expect no less from this community. It’s what we do best,” concluded DiDonato.[/private]