Water Supply Study Made Public
By Doug La Rocque
The New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) have released the final study on the Hoosick Falls Municipal water supply. Recommendations include tapping into aquifers on the LaCroix and Wysocki properties along Route 22, about one mile from the current well site. The study shows these sites have an adequate capacity to supply the Village, particularly when combined with the output from current well # 7. The study also looked into drawing water from the Tomhannock Reservoir in Pittstown, or connecting to the City of Troy’s water supply at its terminus in Brunswick. The study looked into another possibility for a ground water source, that being connecting to water systems in Petersburgh, Cambridge, Greenwich or Schaghticoke, but all were ruled out as not feasible.
Another significant portion of the report, concluded that continuing to use wells # 3 and # 7 at the current water treatment plant, with upgrades to the PFOA filtrations systems (granular activated carbon, also known as GAC) and working with a capture system for the PFOAs near the Saint Gobain plant on McCaffrey Street are also viable options to provide clean drinking water to the Village.
What’s Next
The DEC press release says the two state departments will now work together to develop a Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) that recommends a long-term drinking water supply source that “is fully protective of public health.” This PRAP could recommend one of its current options or another alternative altogether. DEC will then hold another public meeting after which it will receive and evaluate public input, before making a final decision.
Local Reaction
While the water distribution system belong to the Village of Hoosick Falls, it also serves a significant number of homes that are outside the village border, and actually part of the Town of Hoosick. The Eastwick Press asked Supervisor Mark Surdam, what he thought of the report. He tells us he personally thinks “the local sites make the most sense,” and it will be very interesting to see what DEC ends up recommending.”
Hoosick Falls resident Mike Hickey, who first brought the PFOA problem to the attention of the Village and the public about five years ago, tells The Press, “no surprises with the report, it was what everyone expected. I think it offers another level of safety for our community, The sooner we can put the plans into place, the better. Much of this will still be dependent on the stance of the two companies (Saint Gobain and Honeywell), with the ongoing litigation with the Village.”
According to the DEC, it may be several months before the Remedial Action Plan is formulated.