Recently we have been experiencing taste and odor issues with our water, described by residents as a musty taste and smell, stemming from a specific organic compound 2-Methylisoborneol (MIB). MIB is produced by algae detected in the Croton Reservoir, from which Ossining draws most of its water. These recent taste and odor conditions have never been experienced during the 33 years of the water treatment plant operation. Further, this is not an issue specific to Ossining but rather one that has affected all municipalities that draw from the Croton Reservoir. Despite the taste and odor, the water has been and remains safe to drink.
On January 8th, in response to these reported taste and odor issues, Ossining began drawing 100% of the community’s water supply from the Indian Brook Reservoir. Starting at midnight on January 26th, as previously announced, we reintroduced the Croton Reservoir water back into our system, as the Indian Brook Reservoir levels were below 50% capacity.
Since that time, we have contracted for and initiated the design of a Powder Activated Carbon (PAC) System that will address these and similar issues in the future. The Village’s Water Department is designing the control strategies in-house, along with introducing a system integrator for the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. SCADA is a control system architecture comprised of computers and data communications with interfaces for high-level process supervisory management, along with other peripheral devices that interface with our plant’s machinery. All of these steps will reinforce our already rigorous water quality controls while helping to ensure good taste and aesthetically pleasing water quality.
We are on track to have the system entirely built and operational within the next four weeks. The first Powder Activated Carbon delivery is expected today. Once the Powder Activated Carbon System is assembled and tested, the Westchester County Department of Health will conduct a site visit and, if found to be operating to their satisfaction, they will authorize the system to go into service.
With the recent heavy rain, the Indian Brook Reservoir has seen a water level increase of just over one foot in elevation. As a result, we are now operating at 50/50 combination of the Indian Brook and Croton Reservoir for our water sources.
We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience. Please contact the Indian Brook Water Filtration Plant with any questions at 914-941-0128.
