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Dover
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Patterson
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| Environmental Police | ||
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NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Law Enforcement
21 South Putt Corners Rd. Conservation Officer (Patterson) General questions concerning wetlands and permitted activities |
for issues within the NYC Watershed:
New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection Pollution Prevention Hotline |
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| Local Police Agencies | ||
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NYS Police
Dover Plains Brewster |
Dutchess County Sheriff 845-486-3800 |
Putnam County Sheriff 845-225-4300 |
Most of the residents of eastern Putnam and Dutchess Counties lack public water supplies, and homes rely on the use of private wells, tapping groundwater supplies. This most precious water resource lies under the homeowner's land, where it may be vulnerable to pollution of every kind, and the same land is usually also the receptor of that home's wastewater.
Learn More...
Did You Know? Having your septic tank pumped out every 3-5 years is the one most important thing you can do to protect your well water. |
Those residents with community water supplies, or public systems (like the Village of Pawling), also need to be aware of the need to protect the resource. Preventing pollution is always less expensive than treating. Public and private community systems are subject to periodic water quality tests, and those reports are available to the consumers. Bear in mind, though, that smaller systems are subject to less stringent testing standards than larger communities. These tests cover a limited number of the more common contaminants. To have your private well water tested, contact your county department of health or the Dutchess County or Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District, for a list of certified labs in our area, and other information.
The most common contaminants in local groundwater are nitrates and bacteria. Most often the source comes from septic systems, yours, or a neighbor's. If the soil in the area of the septic leach field is too pervious (consisting of coarse particles that promote fast drainage), pollution is more likely to occur to the groundwater. On the other hand, in heavy clay soils, with a lack of proper drainage, septage waste and other surface pollutants tend to lead to surface water contamination, which can also eventually find its way into the groundwater. In cases where the bedrock lies just beneath the surface, contamination can easily find its way to the groundwater through fissures in the rock. In such areas, it also may be important to avoid the use of pesticides and inorganic lawn fertilizers (another source of nitrates). Any lawn fertilizer should be used with discretion.
Every homeowner should know the location of their septic system and understand its basic functions. Periodic pumping of the septic tank is the one most essential homeowner duty to protect the water supply. Your well should be uphill of your and the neighbor's leach fields. 100' is the minimum standard. If the leach field is uphill of the well, a minimum distance of 200' of separation is required. Surface contamination can infect the well at the well head. To prevent this, the well head should be located with a least 6" clearance above ground level. The solid protective covering (the casing) should extend a good distance below ground to prevent entry of surface contaminants. If you can hear water dripping inside the well (at the well head), that is a sign of cracks in the casing. Remember that everything that you apply, spray or dump on your land, or pour down your drains may cause serious and expensive problems if they pollute streams or your water supply. Protect your family's health. Pollution is everyone's business.