TRR photo by Tom Kane Water worker Paul Letendre, on left, and water superintendent Scott Birney inspect wellhead #1. (Click for larger image)

Tusten to adopt wellhead protection plan

Community support needed

By TOM KANE

NARROWSBURG — In a collaborative move with the New York State Well Protection Program, the Town of Tusten will adopt a new wellhead protection plan to insure the quality of its drinking water.

A public hearing will be held at the next regularly scheduled board meeting on July 9 at 7:15 p.m.

“We’re trying to protect the community’s water supply but in order to do it, we need help,” said superintendent of water and sewer Scott Birney.

Wellhead protection involves creating an overlay watershed district within the Town of Tusten indicating where the ground water is collected for the water system. In this area, activity that will adversely affect the water quality in the watershed is restricted, he said.

In 1994 wellhead #2 was contaminated with 1-1-1 Trichloroethane and as a result temporarily closed to the water system. The reason for the contamination was never discovered. The wellhead, which is one among three in the town’s system, is now back in service.

“This plan will help avoid contaminations like that,” Birney said.

What will be restricted will be activities or construction that will clearly affect the ground water, he said.

“Obvious things like pouring your crank case oil in your back yard are forbidden because that oil becomes mixed with our drinking water,” he said.

All the water used by the town is from the ground. The three wells have a capacity of pumping around 300 gallons per minute.

The new plan will be implemented through a public education program about proper waste disposal and review of new activities in the watershed area, he said.

“Our water quality is excellent,” Birney said. “We want to keep it that way.”