Fiber Science & Apparel Design

Everyone deserves high quality drinking water, whether you rely on a public or private water supply. A public water supply connects many people to the same drinking water system, which collects water from rivers, reservoirs, springs, or ground water. Public water supplies are tested regularly for contaminants regulated by the State and Federal drinking water standards. However, some public water systems may have problems associated with the drinking water treatment or distribution systems These water quality problems must be reported to consumers. If you have questions or concerns about your public drinking water supply, contact your local water purveyor and request a copy of their latest test results, which they are required by law to provide to their customers.

Most private water supplies rely on ground water as the source for wells or springs. If you drink water from your own supply, it is your responsibility to maintain the condition of your well or spring on a regular basis and reduce or eliminate potential sources of pollution. Water treatment should not be a substitute for a properly designed, constructed, and maintained water supply. Preventing pollution is one of the most direct ways of reducing health risks from drinking water.

If you suspect that your water supply is unsafe to drink, regardless of your water source, you have several options. One of the first steps to consider is to have your drinking water tested for specific contaminants of concern and contact a local water professional for advice and information. Under certain conditions, such as in the case of a fuel spill, it may be possible to obtain help from your local health department or other State Agency.

Private water supplies should always be tested before a home is purchased and whenever a new water supply is being developed. You can find a list of New York State certified laboratories online. Yearly testing for common contaminants, such as bacteria and nitrate, is recommended to ensure continued safety of your water supply. Occasional testing for specific contaminants, such as pesticides and other chemicals, may be appropriate depending upon where you live and what activities take place around your water supply.

If a contamination problem is detected, or if you question the safety of your water supply (public or private), you may choose to consider broad treatment options. Home water treatment devices, such as reverse osmosis, activated carbon filters, chlorination, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and ion exchange/water softeners, are highly effective for removing a range of contaminants. Before purchasing a home water treatment device, it is important to review a variety of product information to ensure that your final selection will meet your specific needs. For certain contaminants, some water treatment options may be inappropriate.

In New York State, water treatment device sales people are required by law to show verification of their products claims. In addition, NSF International is a third-party, nonprofit organization that sets performance standards for drinking water treatment devices, tests equipment that is submitted voluntarily (but for a cost) by the manufacturer, monitors fabrication and performance of equipment, and certifies individual treatment devices according to eight different standards as well as the claims by the manufacturer. All certified products have a data plate that states the minimum requirements of applicable standards.

It is important to keep in mind that no individual water treatment device removes every contaminant from drinking water. Depending on the severity of contamination, it may be necessary to replace your source of drinking water by developing an alternative water supply or purchasing bottled water. Some of these options can be costly and inconvenient, so it is important to have your water tested regularly and remain informed of community water quality issues or decisions.