Alert! Newburgh Drinking Water Violates Standards

The drinking water in the City of Newburgh recently violated a drinking water standard.

The City of Newburgh Water Department mailed residents this month to inform them their water system violated a drinking water standard.

As part of the Disinfection-By-Products rules the water department often monitors the removal of Total Organic Carbon (TOC). The minimum removal level is 1.0. In Dec. 2015 and Jan. 2016 the TOC removal levels were 0.99 and 0.97 respectively.

According to the water department this is not an emergency. TOC provides a standard for the development of disinfection byproducts. However the letter to residents states, “These byproducts, in excess of the Maximum Containment Level (MCL), may lead to adverse health effects, liver or kidney problems, or nervous system effects, and may lead to an increased risk of getting cancer.”

The water department says residents don’t need to boil water or take any other actions. It is recommended to consult a doctor if you have health concerns.

The letter also states, “People with severely comprised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at an increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.”

The City of Newburgh Water Department is working with the NYS Department of Health and the Orange County Department of Health on a solution. A return to normal levels is expected in the near future.

For more information contact the water department at (845) 565-3356