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Quarterly Update From Town Supervisor Susan Bellor - April 2023
After a truly old-fashioned winter, weather-wise, welcome back to view my second year of quarterly updates for our Town of Massena’s Website! Read on...
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The Village’s Water Treatment Plant is located at 357 Pontoon Bridge Road. Built in 1963, it has a rated capacity of 5 million gallons per day. The daily average production is currently 1 1/2 million gallons per day. The system draws water from the Massena Intake through a 24-inch raw water pipeline along the west bank of the Power Canal about 1 mile to the treatment plant. It is filtered through diatomaceous earth filters; chlorinated for disinfection; fluoridated for dental protection; and zinc orthophosphate is added for corrosion control. Treated water is pumped from an on-site 500,000 gallon clearwell storage tank into the water distribution piping and elevated storage tanks on Bowers Street and North Racquette River Road.
Contaminates
Community water is checked for contaminates daily. We sample and test the drinking water thousands of times per year. We test for a wide range of possible contaminates. Any amounts over the federal and state limits will be reported to you promptly, as required.
Hardness
Water hardness is caused by 2 minerals, calcium and magnesium. The higher the concentrations the "harder" the water. Hard water is difficult to clean with as soaps and detergents do not suds well. While "soft" water may make it difficult to rinse soaps away. Massena’s water is in the middle range of hardness and generally does not need additional treatment.
Brown Water
Brown water in our system usually comes from iron either in the pipes that feed your home or business, or from your water heater. Whenever there is a larger than normal use of water in your area – like a nearby fire or leak, or when the water crew is flushing hydrants, your water may stir up iron that has settled out and when it combines with air as you use it, the normally colorless iron turns a reddish brown. While harmless to use, it may stain laundry. We usually advise customers not to do laundry for the short time you may be experiencing brown water.
Cloudy Water
This is caused by tiny air bubbles that get added to your water by the aerator in your tap. It is similar to gas bubbles in beer or soft drink. In a short time, the bubbles float and then disappear. This cloudiness happens more often in the winter when your tap water is cold.
Contaminates
Community water is checked for contaminates daily. We sample and test the drinking water thousands of times per year. We test for a wide range of possible contaminates. Any amounts over the federal and state limits will be reported to you promptly, as required.
Hardness
Water hardness is caused by 2 minerals, calcium and magnesium. The higher the concentrations the "harder" the water. Hard water is difficult to clean with as soaps and detergents do not suds well. While "soft" water may make it difficult to rinse soaps away. Massena’s water is in the middle range of hardness and generally does not need additional treatment.
Brown Water
Brown water in our system usually comes from iron either in the pipes that feed your home or business, or from your water heater. Whenever there is a larger than normal use of water in your area – like a nearby fire or leak, or when the water crew is flushing hydrants, your water may stir up iron that has settled out and when it combines with air as you use it, the normally colorless iron turns a reddish brown. While harmless to use, it may stain laundry. We usually advise customers not to do laundry for the short time you may be experiencing brown water.
Cloudy Water
This is caused by tiny air bubbles that get added to your water by the aerator in your tap. It is similar to gas bubbles in beer or soft drink. In a short time, the bubbles float and then disappear. This cloudiness happens more often in the winter when your tap water is cold.