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NEWS

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release: February 27, 2007

For more information, contact:
John M. Andersson, P.E.
Director, Division of Environmental Health
607-274-6688

Subject: Proposed Revisions to Tompkins County Sanitary Code Article VII

The Tompkins County Health Department is proposing to require permits for new wells throughout Tompkins County, as well as other revisions to an existing code.

The proposed changes affect individual water systems and also very small public water systems. Some of the changes include:

  • Requiring Water Well Construction Permits for all new wells or to abandon existing wells.
  • Require that all new wells be analyzed at least for total coliform bacteria and nitrate before use. The sample collection and analytical cost for individual systems is included in the cost of the permit.
  • Allow the Department to require connection to a municipal water system, and not allow other drinking water systems if a municipal water system is available.
  • Clarify regulations for small public water systems (generally serving more than 10 but less than 25 people) by clearly defining “Local Public Water System” and requiring:
    • plans for approval to construct or modify these systems.
    • permanent disinfection unless a waiver is in effect.
    • routine monitoring and reporting on disinfection operations.
    • routine monitoring and reporting of water quality

Larger public water systems (serving 25 people or more) are already regulated by New York State and Federal laws and regulations, administered by the Tompkins County Health Department. New York State recently adopted regulations for the construction of new wells, and the Department believes revisions to the County Sanitary Code are required to cope with the new State regulations and to smoothly coordinate water well location in relation to sewage systems. A Permit to Construct is already required for sewage systems and the two permits will be integrated as much as possible.

Public meetings will be planned for later in 2007 to discuss the proposed revisions. A copy of the proposed revisions is available on the Tompkins County web site at www.tompkins-co.org/health

Written comments on the draft proposal would be appreciated by March 30, 2007, and may be sent by mail, FAX or email. The addresses are available on the web site.

updated: May 25, 2007