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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDHS LettersCOUNTY OF SUFFOLK ST~VE LEVY SUFFOLK COUNTY EXEcu'rlVE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVICES December 10, 2009 Honorable Scott Russell Town of Southold 54375 Route 25 - PO Box 1179 Southold, NY 11971-0959 Re: Southold Drinking Water Supply and Orient Water Main Extension RECEIVED . i 5 ~outhold Town Cleek Dear Supervisor Russell: I am writing in response to your November 18, 2009 letter to me, regarding my October 27, 2009 letter to Chief Executive Officer Stephen Jones of the Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA). Your letter expressed an intent to clarify Southold's goals of protecting the healtll and welfare of the citizens of Southold Town by instituting an orderly process of planning for the extension of public water to areas of lfighest priority need, i.e., "the water map," last amended by the Town in 2007. You also noted that our summary of Hie August 19, 2009 meeting implied that Town Board members agreed to amend the water map to extend public water to Orient. We commend the Town and Hie Suffolk County Water Authority on the progress it has made over Hie past decade in extending public water to areas of }figh priority need. However, the latest map, adopted by the Town and SCWA in 2007, was never approved or consented to by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) as was the original map in 2000. The new map has several significant deficiencies, as outlined in my May 15, 2009 letter to you noting 11 areas of lffgh priority need for public water extension, as well as in my September 30, 2009 summary of the August 19, 2009 meeting (reiterating the need to serve all areas of need outlined in the May 15, 2009 correspondence). In tiffs context, we must clarify your observation that the SCDHS has offered, as the primary reason for not endorsing the 2007 map, die distinction between water mains and water transmission lines on the water map. As discussed in detail at the August 19, 2009 meeting, and memorialized in our September 30, 2009 meeting summary, the existence of the term "transmission main" (wlficb precludes connection of vacant parcels with ready access to that main) negates the possibility of SCDHS approval of the map. Restated, even if all other SCDHS priority recommendations were incorporated onto the map, SCDHS still could not formally approve the map. Tiffs is because the concept of the untappable uansmission main in Southold Townslfip violates both the spirit and die letter of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code. 360 YAImAI~ AV~U~ YAI~L~{~ NY 11980 (631] 85:{-5800 ~ FAX lf681] 852-5825 Honorable Scott Russell Town of Souti~old December 10, 2009 Page Two Notwithstanding the transmission main issue, SCDHS bas expressed a willingness to work with the Town to facilitate our mutual goals. In fids context, fl~e Orient water main extension (among ofl~er possible extensions) was, indeed, discussed at the August 19, 2009 meeting. My staff at fl~e meeting clearly recall a brief discussion of the Orient water main extension. The Soufl~old Town Board members who were present did not express an objection to such an extension, and agreed that it could be considered by Souflxold Town. I apologize if fl~e verbiage in my September 20, 2009 letter ("Town indicated its willingness to accommodate ... (extension of public water to) Browns Hills in Orient") was too affirmative. My intent was not to imply fl~at fl~e Town Board had in any way formally approved the proposed action. If you have not already done so, please consider my May 15, 2009 letter to you to be a formal SCDHS recommendation to the Town to amend its map. I hope fl~at tiffs information is helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 852-5800. Ve~ruly yours, Vito Minei, PE, Director Division of Environmental Quality VM.kn Enclosure. C: A1 Krupski - Town of Soufl~old Thomas Wicld~am - Town of Soufl~old Elizabefl~ A Neville, Town Clerk Martin D. Finnegan, Town Attorney Linda Mermelstein, MD, MPH, Acting Commissioner - SCDHS Matfl~ewJ. Miner, Deputy Commissioner - SCDHS Walter Dawydiak, PE, Ctfief Engineer - SCDHS Douglas Feldman, PE, Chief, Office of Water Resources - SCDHS Martin Trent, Ctfief, Office of Ecology - SCDHS COUNTY OF SUFFOLK October 27, 2009 Mr. ,~epllen M. Jones, Chid' F~ecutive OIFleer Suffolk Coumy Water Authority 4060 Sum~sc H~m-e/- P.O. Box 37 Oakdale, New York 11769.0901 Dear Mr, Jones: I mn wtiliv4~ ia response to your e-mall to me, dated October 22, 2009, l~el~dtng the Suffolk Times m~icle of the same date. In your e-mall, you request tim lira Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDH8) reafl'u~n its pceilinn concerning the East Marion/Orient waW. r main exlemion. In summat%.end aa documented in numexous prior corr~pondanco, dm $CDHS continues to ~ully support ~lle East Marion/ Orient water main exten~on. It is, by far, file or~ vlab[~ meam to emure a safe and effer~ve lon~erm water supply to one of the hi, best priority areas of need in Suffolk County. We were not a lmrty to the discussiom or interviews which are reflec~d in Ibc sul~ect article, so we ~re unable to comment specifically on the accuracy of slni~tents In the aflide itself. However, we can state flint we would be ~lmsrined if thc Town were not in full support of a cos~ffecfive solution to the arca's long- standing water supply problems, wiJich compdso a s~uificant potential threat to the l~ealdt of County residenls. Tile article atlributes a statement to Supervisor Scott Russell, which indicates tlmt Orient is not desisuated on the town's official ~at~r so,rico map as an appropriate m~ea for new public water service. Thin slatemott is especially proMematie to die SCDH~. Due to the preaence of well-documented water quality problems in the area, Orient was slated as a lon~term priority for public wnter service on file orisinal wat~ supply priorities nmp drawn in ~000. Unfortunately, Orient was apparently removed fi'mn thc 2207 version of thc nmp, withunt any coordination with the 8CDHS. 'File SCDHS Ires ncver endorscd die me of the (2007 nmp, and continues to object to tile use of tile map as it presently stands. At tim meeting In August 2009 n~ended by representatives of file 3uffolk County Deparfmcnt of Health Services ~qCDH$), Suffolk County Water Authority (~c~rA) and fue Town, 8uper~sor Russell and town council members, Al Krul~ki and Tom Widdmm, indicated a willingness to amend the town water Supldy priorities map to include extending public water service to Orient. This p. ecessllry aulendmcnt was rcilx~al~d in die SCDH$ correspondence of ~ptembcr 80, ~009 to die 8upetvlsur. Tile SCDHS firmly believes that extcnding a reliable, potable wn~er supply to alt m~a wfth impacted wells such as Orient is an entirely appropriate way to spend fcderal stimulus funds on a ueeded public works project, Mr. Stephen M. Jones, Ctdef Executive Officer Suffolk County Water Authority October 27, 2009 Page Two Notwithstsnding our ol~ct~ons to fine 2007 version ~ tile map, die SCDHS indicated a willingness to work widt die Town to refine thc map as an appropriate local planning tool. SCDHS continues to emphasize dm* zoning and land me planning are issues wi~ich are squarely and solely in tine jori~dicfion of die Town. Clean, safe w~er supply to Suffolk residents cannot be held ho~ta~ to die flawed notion that it may sorneliow induce undesirable 8row*h. The article er~oncomly sngg~ts flint small, individual, in-home trentment ~ystems are an effective alternative te conv~ional community wamr supply. Tids posMon i~ completely unsuppomble, and contravenes long- standing SCDI*IS policy. Small, in-home treatment systems may be permissible when dw~re is atmolutely no a!~ativc, but they are isiS,*or to couvenlional water supply in dmt they require significant operation and maintenance, and are a considerably higher risk for upsets and faiiures. Morenver, they arc typically engineered to treat for the typ~ and concentration of contamination whlcl, exists at die time of installation (nitrates, in the case of Browns Hits). In Orient, nnmerom od,er contaminants, such as pcsfickles and herbicides, arc important issues. We note fl,atJolm Henry of tbe Snflblk ~F~me~ contacted Douglas Feldman, P.E., Clficf of the Office of Water Resources o~ October 8, 2009, ,~sarding the East Marion/Qrient water main cxtemin~ project. However, it appear~ that none of the pertinent information supporting die need for fl*is prq~ect mpplicd by Mr. Feldinan during this interview made it to print. 1Vh'. Feldman informed Mr. Henry that die SCDHS fully supports tie extension of public water to O~en~, as well as to oilier areas in die town in need of public water. 'Mr. Feldman also explained dm based upon this department's l~torical regional groundwater monitoring and drinking water wall ~ampling data, several private wells in Otlent have been identified as impacted with ele.vated concetffratiom of nitrates fi~m fertilizers and agrienlmral re 'lated n~ticid~-q- inclndi-~ · ~licarb, tiao*hal, m~d metoiach{m. Mr. Feldman also brtc~ disenSSed th~ poten~]ly adv~e l'~'~th e"~'~ffects of Some of Ilmse cohtaminants, as wall as tire department's requirements for the extension and connection to a public water public supply. I hope diis information is hell)i'ui. Please don't hesitate to contact me at 85~.5800 if you have any quest*nm or comments. Sincerely, Vito Mine*, P.E., Dh~ctor Division of Environmental Quality C: Scott Russell, Supervisor - Town of Sou*boM hi Krupski - Town of Soufliold 'tltomas Wlcldmm -- Town of Soudiold Mattiiew Miner, Deputy Commissioner. SCI)tIS Walter Dawydlak, PE, Cider E~flneer. SCDHS Martin Trent, Clsief, Oflice of EcoloM - SCDHS Doualas Feldman, PE, Ch*of, OW~ce of Wa*or Resources- SCDHS COUNTY OF SUFFOLK ST~V~ L~ September 30, 2009 L~OA Honorable Scot1 A. Russell Town of Southold 54375 Route 25 P.O. Box 1179 Southold, NY 11971-0959 Dear Supervisor Russell: I wanted to take tiffs opportunity to thank you, members of the Southold Town Board, and your staff for meeting with thc Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) and Walter Dawydiak, Douglas Fcldman and Martin Trent from the Division of Environmental Quality on August 19'. Unfortunately, I was called away at thc last minute by pressing county business in Hauppange and was unable to a~tend. My staff advised me that it was an informative and productive meeting. Based on thc meeting, I understand tuft Southold Town would consider amending the Southold Water Supply Plan map as new data and information is obtained. The Town's amendment of the map to facilitate a water main extension to Aldrich Lane, Laurel, whidx was requested by the SCWA and supported by our private well water quality data, is a.prime example. Tbe Town also indicated its willingness to acconunodate the intcrconncction of the SCWA satellite system serving Browns Hills in Orient to thc SC'WA water mains now cnding in East Marion. It appears flint the recent denial of a map cbaogc requested by a Soundvicw Avenue, Mattituck resident may be rcconsidcred based upon fl~c information in our correspondence of May 15, 2009 to you. It was agreed ,tl~at better communication between our offices would be helpful when considering dmngcs to thc map. If thc coordination mechanism is not already in place, wc would ask that all notices of WaWx Supply Plan map changes bc forwarded to our Suffolk County Department of Health Services (SCDHS) Office of Water Resources (Douglas Feldman, PE, Chief) at 360 Yaphank Avenue, Yaphank, NY 11980. Thc "transmission main~ concept was again discmsed. This concept remains an impediment to formal SCDHS acceptance of the map, as it is, in some cases, potentially inconsistent with Suffolk County Sanitary Code requirements. Notwithstanding fids issue, we understand the value-of the map as a planning and management tool, and we will continue to conslructively work with you to maximize the utility of fl~ imtrument. We appreciate Southold Town's desire to plan for orderly development and preservation of ' open space and farmland. Hopefully, our mutual goals can be facilitated by a continuing dialogue and a discussion of alternatives. Ideally, fids would lead to recognition on fl~e map of the need to serve all areas of need outlined in our earlier correspondence. Honorable Scott A Russell Town of Southold September 30, 2009 Page Two It was suggested that one possible way to accomplish tl~e town's goals could be to utilize State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) coordinated ~view for proposed subdivisions and commercial projects along water mains. By designating these projects a~ Type I actions, there would be sufficient opportunity for an environmental review and coordination regarding file adequacy of water supply and other issues. I hope tliat this information is helpful, and thank you a~in for your time. Please don't hesitate to contact me at 852.5800 if you lmvc any questions or comments. Sincerely, Vito Mind, PE, Director Division of Environmental Quality VMAn cc: Linda Mermdstein, MD, MPH - Acting Commissioner MatthewJ. Miner, Deputy Commissioner Steve Jones SCWA Walter Dawydiak, P.E., Chief Engineer - Div of Environmental Quality Martin Trent, Clfief- Office of Ecolosy Douglas Feldman, P.E., Chief - Office of Water Resources COUNTY OF SUFFOLK May 15, 2009 Supervisor Scott A. Russell Town of S0uthold 54375 Route 25 P.O. Box 1179 Sonthold, NY 11971-0959 Dear Supexvisor Russell: ~A¥2 1 2O09 W~ ~m~c~ In our meeting l~t fall regarding water supply issues with mprcscmallves of flu town and Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA), several issues were raised, includlng water supply to existing and future development within dM town and thc usc of ~he 'Southold Wamr Supply Plan Map." We commend tire ~ and the SCWA on their effom to plan orderly development and to provide for the extension of the public water sysmm to areas in need. Since the map was first developed in 2000, public wa~cr Ires been extended to serve areas of cxisfing and new d~velopment throughout thc town. It has long been the Suffolk County Dep~h~nt of Health Services' (SCDHS) policy tim all residents of Suffolk County deserve a safe and potable w~t supply and that the best method of ensuring this is through connection to a public warn' supply. As an irdfial slrp in a~injng this 8~1 for Southold, thc SCDHS concurs with the town and $CWA recommenda6ons to exl~md public water to exisling areas of contaminated private wells and to propedlcs flint do not meet the density requirements stipulated in Article 6 of the Suffolk County SanitmyCode. Cont~nination of tim groundwater with agricultural cbemicals and the shallow aquifer underlain b? salt water has ~ ~ development of public water in Southold Town, Our understanding of the original purpose of cre~ng tbc Sonthold Wal~r Supply Plan Map nine years a~o was to allocate a scarce resource to specifw areas that were in immediate need of a potable wa~r, but not to preclude other areas from eventually being served with public water. · Since 2000, the SC%VA has actively sought new sources of water and developed advanced water treatment methods to address the lack of supply. As a result of these efforts, this department believes that thc quantity of available water should not bea limiting.factorinpmviding publicwater to-Sonthold residents.. Therefore, - we do not presumptively concur with the desisnation of certain public waist supply mains as "transmission mains,' rendering them unavailable to new residents and comtruction project~ We believe that the tx~vnship has sufl'~ent tools at their disposal to properly resulate 8rowth and development. Denying access to public water to anF resident is contrary to good public beaith policy. Supervisor Scott A. Russell Town of Southold May 15, 2009 Page Two The department would be happy m meet with town and SCWA representatives to continue a dialogue regarding the adequacy of supply and provide the opportunity for the $CWA to discuss any options for serving the north fork they are exploring. We understand flint these options have included the inst~lladon of new wells near Hallockville or other areas in the vicinity of the Riverhead Water Dislrict, by directional drilling and main in~llafion beneath Peconic Bay from Flanders, providing additional pumping and storage t~nk facilities, etc. These dements are expected to be an important part of the Comprehensive Water. Resources Managemem Plan to be completed later this year. Our specific recommendations regarding the $outhold Water Supply Plan and Map are outlined in the ~chments to this correzpondence. Please feel free to contact me at 852.5800. Sincerely, Vito Minei, P.E., Director Division of Environmental Quality VM.kn Enclosure. cc:Steve Jones, Clfief Executive Officer - SCWA Hmuayun J..Chaudluy, D.O., M.S. - Commissioner MaohewJ. Miner, Deputy Commissioner Walter Dawydlak, PE, Chief Engineer Martin Trent, Chief, Office of Ecolo~ ' Douglas Feldman, P.E, Chief, Office of Water Resources $CDH$ 4.5.2009 SOUTHOLD WATer SUPPLY PLAN MAP SCDH$ Specific Comment~ Potont/~d Wot~r ~m~_ !v O_~.~..v _ Tbe SCWA should develop and submit a brief narrative tim discusses all the potential options tbey are exploring for developing new water sources for the north fork. ~ - The $CDHS recommends timt the $CWA and Soutlmld Town provide a specific plan on the map. time frame for the installation of water mains associated with specific areas identified A~ilaldlltv of Public Wator to V~.~..-_t/cr-z:_'~?---~,_~_ ~'~-~-~., . Public wat~ si~ould be accessible and available to vacant or developed properties that can potentially be subdivided hto lots w/d~ areas less than 40,000 sq.fC in compliance with the densit~ requ/rements of Art/de 6 of the Suffolk Count,/ San/~,y Code and in accordance with town zoning. Pmv/ousiy subdivided, undeveloped parcels with densities equivalent to or less ~ one dwelling unit per acre should be designM,~d to be served with a public water supply system. Water mains shouid be extended along the portion of AIdrick lame that extmds · emkfrem ,~mmdAven~e ~md b~rcem~octs ~ ~e w~ter mai~ th~ ~ on Mm~ Reed. Private we]Is in ~hl, area d~wed the presence of Niwatc~ that exceed &inking water ~tandard,. In addition, compounds, including Aldicarb, Ahchlor, Meraloclflor, and Percldorate were aho found. As shown on the latest ~map,'* we support the proposal to extend water mains along D~clt PondReeds, ~ Piece, and portions olDe/Mt/,mv~ In addition, we recommend that mains be installed along Omfan J~eed, between M///Lane and Dtpot Ro~d, and, ~'posstbl~, wlang Di~nan '~ Road: Additionally, mains should be extended along Route 48, belwee~ Alvah's Lane and Horseshoe Drive, and along the · ou~rn po~on of,~lbak,s l,~n~, tapped from Route ~5. The Department also recommends that properties along Br/d~ Latw have access to public water. Sampling in these areas revealed detections of variom outammants mcludms elevated Niirates, Aldicarb, Melalochlor, Mi~axyl, Dinoseb, DactJ~l metabolites, and Imidacloprid. It should be noted that.in some of these areas the concenlrafiom of Nitrates and Aldicarb exceed New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) drinking water standards. The water maim proposed along Rttch Lane and ~ Arrests, should be extended along Colony Rotul. Our records indicate that elevated levels of MTBE were detected in drinking water wells in this area. We support the Town's proposal to extend pubic water to properties tlmt exist within the vicinity of ~ ami Rocky Paint Roads, ~nd to lots along .4quav/~w Dr/vt. However, we would also like to recommend that a main be imtalhd on Southern B/vd. between Calar Dr/~ and Roelw Point RomL . On~n¢ (Ar~ # We recommend that public water mains be extended along Main Road to service most areas of Orient, and Orient Point. In particular, w~ler mains should be installed in the areas of ~ings ~ ~ Lan~, Oreluml Strut, Oysttr l~and Lan~, Na~ Stro~t, OM Farm and Douglas Harbor Roads, Willow-Tsrac~ L4m~, Mq]or Pond Road, and Natron, R/v~r ~ Sampling of numerous drinking water wells in these areas has revealed significant detections of numerous contaminants, including Alachlor, Aldicarb, Dacthal metabolites, Nitrates, and MTBE. Public water should also be provided to existing lots located north of Main Road and bounded between R~l~r Farm Larw, Pari~ VimvLan# and Tkrw Wat~r~ Lane, primarily because existing lots in fids vicinity are approxirn~ly one l~alf acre in size and, as such, exceed the density requirements of A~dch 6. In addition, some drinking water wells were found to contain Aiacldor and Metolacldor. Properties located between Gr~nw~ Dr/v~ W~st and Onnmm0, Dr/vt East shonld also be served with public water, as most of these parcels do not meet rite density requirements of Ankle 6. Thc historical collection and analysis of samples obtained from the non-community water supply system serving thc Cross Sound F~ry have consistently revealed a variety of compounds, including Atrazine, $imazine, DEI~ and Tebuthinmn. As a result, we believe this estabiislunont shouid also be served by a community public water'system..