State Tests Water At Lake DeForest: Update

UPDATE 6:44 PM — SUEZ released a statement Friday evening:

The independent testing of SUEZ’s drinking water conducted by the New York State Department of Health confirm that our water meets standards and is safe. Since the earthy taste and smell condition was first detected, we’ve worked to mitigate the condition through special treatments of our Lake DeForest Reservoir while monitoring the situation with Rockland Department of Health officials. The water was always in compliance with all safe drinking water standards.

WEST NYACK, NY — Rockland residents upset about the stinky effects of an organic compound in the Lake DeForest reservoir held a rally on Friday, according to State Senator David Carlucci. The New York State Health Department tested the water on Wednesday at his request.

"We must continue to hold SUEZ accountable and ensure that our water from the Lake DeForest reservoir is safe to drink," Carlucci said. "The State Health Department has tested the water, and we are awaiting their results. People should not have to spend money on bottled water or filters because of the taste and smell of their water. We deserve a credit on our water bills, and we will not let up on this demand.

"Thank you to the advocates who organized today's rally and for their commitment to ensuring our water is safe to drink."

The group that organized the rally is Suez Stinks.

The water company attributes the problem to algae blooms in Lake DeForest, and said to help mitigate the problem they worked with the State Department of Environmental Conservation to apply two rounds of copper sulfate.

The algae naturally in Lake DeForest has released geosmin, which according to scientists at Brown University, literally translates to "earth smell." Many but not all people are sensitive to the smell.
Some neighbors posting on Patch said the water smells and tastes like mold. Residents describe the water coming out of their faucet as smelling, appearing dirty, tasting poorly, and staining their sinks and tubs.

"Years ago the water around here always used to taste like it was drawn from a muddy ditch. Then for years it was good. Now it's back to dirty again and undrinkable!" Randy Robinson wrote on Patch.

SUEZ and the Rockland County Department of Health have stated that the water is safe to
drink.

At a press conference with residents on Wednesday, Senator Carlucci reiterated that any cost to fix this problem should not be passed on to customers.

“Customers should be issued a credit on their water bill because they cannot use the water they are paying for,” said Carlucci. “Suez is seeking a rate hike of just over 18 percent, which is offensive, and yet we see here they can’t even invest in preventing these problems. I ask that residents sign my petition in support of a credit on their bills.”

The company has no current plans to offer credits, spokesman Bill Madden said. "The water is still safe to drink, bathe in and cook with."

The 4-mile long, 6-billion gallon reservoir in Clarkstown provides water to about 30 percent of SUEZ's 300,000 customers in Rockland County. SUEZ has treated the water to deal with the situation, getting special permits from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to do so. Madden said the company is also studying a long-term solution. That would require treatment not in the lake but at the filtration plant in West Nyack, he said.

SEE:

• Water Safe Despite Algae, SUEZ Tells Rockland Customers.
• SUEZ Should Discount 'Earthy' Water: Carlucci