Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
for 2006 Village of Camden
14 Church Street - Camden, NY 13316
(Public Water Supply ID#NY3202385)

INTRODUCTION
To comply with State and Federal regulations, the Village of Camden, will be annually issuing this report describing the quality of your drinking water. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water and awareness of the need to protect our drinking water sources. Last year (2007), your tap water met all State drinking water health standards. We are proud to report that our system did not violate a maximum contaminant level or any other water quality standard. This report provides an overview of last year's water quality. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to State standards.

While we strive to insure an adequate supply of water through leak detection and distribution system repairs, we encourage everyone to practice sensible water conservation.

If you have any questions about this report or concerning your drinking water, please contact Jerry Williamson, Superintendent of Public Works at 245-2590. We want you to be informed about your drinking water. We are committed to providing you with information because informed customers are our best allies. If you want to learn more, please attend any of our regularly scheduled Water and Sewer Board meetings. The meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month, at 7:00PM, in the Village Office - Meeting Room - 14 Church Street.

WHERE DOES OUR WATER COME FROM?
In general, the sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activities. Contaminants that may be present in source water include: microbial contaminants; inorganic contaminants; pesticides and herbicides; organic chemical contaminants; and radioactive contaminants. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the State and the EPA prescribe regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The State Health Department's and the FDA's regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Our water system serves approximately 2800 people through just over 900 service connections. Our water sources are drawn from three spring systems (groundwater) and if needed, an open reservoir (surface water) located in the hills northeast of the Village. Each spring system has two to four well basins and a collector junction box. We are fortunate, in that our water comes from the Tug Hill Aquifer, a 47-mile long crescent shaped deposit of sand and gravel that flanks the western and southwestern Tug Hill Plateau. The water is piped to the water treatment plant where it is disinfected with chlorine. If demand exceeds the capacity of our springs, we are able to add reservoir water after it has been filtered and disinfected. Last year we delivered nearly 186 million gallons of potable water (an average of 508,000 gallons per day).

SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
A Source Water Assessment has been completed for the CAMDEN VILLAGE Water System. Possible and actual threats to drinking water source(s) were evaluated. The state source water assessment includes a susceptibility rating based on the risk posed by each potential source of contamination and how easily contaminants can move through the subsurface to the source(s). The susceptibility rating is an estimate of the potential for contamination of the source water, it does not mean that the water delivered to consumers is, or will become contaminated. The Source Water Assessment Program (SWAP) is designed to compile, organize and evaluate information to make better decisions regarding protecting sources of public drinking water. A copy of the assessment, including a map of the assessment area, can be obtained by contacting us, as noted above.

The land uses around the CAMDEN VILLAGE Water System sources were rated for their potential to cause contamination to the sources. All Camden sources were considered at a low risk for all contaminants related to land use. When combined with a low risk of contamination from discrete sources and a high natural sensitivity based on soils, contaminant history, surficial geology, aquifer information and bedrock geology, this created a medium high susceptibility for the source to contamination. When used, the Emmons Brook has a medium-high susceptibility rating for protozoa and enteric bacteria and viruses as it is a surface water source. This source is used on an emergency basis only. See section "Are there contaminants in our drinking water?" for a list of the contaminants that have been detected. The source water assessments provide resource managers with additional information for protecting source waters into the future.

Based upon the SWAP Report determinations, good judgement should be used and caution should be exercised when determining placement of certain materials, actions and facilities, including septic systems, high-risk businesses or chemical storage near the source(s). We work hard to ensure that the source of water for our system is protected from contamination.

GROUNDWATER UNDER THE DIRECT INFLUENCE OF SURFACE WATER (GWUDI) INFORMATION
From 2003-2005, the Oneida County Health Department conducted a study of our water system to determine if our source was under the direct influence of surface water. Based upon the data collected (e.g. temperature, conductivity, and precipitation), geology, construction methods, and soils, the OCHD has determined that the water source for the water system demonstrates characteristics of a groundwater source that is under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI). Therefore, we will be required to take action in the near future to meet the water treatment standards established by the State. We have already begun this process and are working with the Oneida County Health Department to ensure compliance with the requirements and continued safe water service to our customers.

ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN OUR DRINKING WATER?
As the State regulations require, we routinely test your drinking water for numerous contaminants. Last year, we conducted tests for a number of contaminants. These contaminants include: total coliform, inorganic compounds including asbestos, nitrate, nitrite, lead and copper, pH, volatile organic compounds, disinfection byproducts, and synthetic organic compounds. In addition, turbidity is measured when the reservoir is used. We detected several of those contaminants. The table presented below depicts which compounds were detected in your drinking water. The State allows us to test for some contaminants less than once per year because the concentrations of these contaminants do not change frequently. Some of our data, though representative, are more than one year old.

It should be noted that all drinking water, including bottled drinking water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) or the Oneida County Health Department at 315-798-5064.




WHAT DOES THIS INFORMATION MEAN?
We have learned through our testing that some contaminants have been detected; however, these contaminants were detected below the level allowed by the State and Federal governments.

IS OUR WATER SYSTEM MEETING OTHER RULES THAT GOVERN OPERATIONS?
During 2007, our system was in general compliance with applicable State drinking water operating, monitoring and reporting requirements. We are required to monitor your drinking water for specific contaminants on a regular basis. Results of regular monitoring are an indicator of whether or not your drinking water meets health standards. During 2007, we did not monitor or test for Total Coliform bacteria in March as required and therefore cannot be sure of the quality of your drinking water during that time. However, we did collect the required number of samples on April 2 and April 13 to demonstrate that the water met state standards.

The Village of Camden is in violation of the Surface Water Treatment Rule and was required to install water filtration by October 31, 2006. This was not completed by the required date. Therefore, we are required to include the following statement in this report: "Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches." The Village has hired a consulting engineer who is currently in the process of designing a low maintenance cartridge filtration system to comply with the Surface Water Treatment Rule. We expect the work for installation of the required treatment system to be completed in 2008.

DO I NEED TO TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS ?
Although our drinking water met or exceeded state and federal regulations, some people may be more vulnerable to disease causing microorganisms or pathogens in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health care provider about their drinking water. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium, Giardia and other microbial pathogens are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

WHY SAVE WATER AND HOW TO AVOID WASTING IT?
Although our system has an adequate amount of water to meet present and future demands, there are a number of reasons why it is important to conserve water: " Saving water saves energy and some of the costs associated with both of these necessities of life; " Saving water reduces the cost of energy required to pump water and the need to construct pumping systems and water towers; and " Saving water lessens the strain on the water system during a dry spell or drought, helping to avoid severe water use restrictions so that essential fire fighting needs are met.

You can play a role in conserving water by becoming conscious of the amount of water your household is using, and by looking for ways to use less whenever you can. It is not hard to conserve water.

Conservation tips include: " Automatic dishwashers use 15 gallons for every cycle, regardless of how many dishes are loaded. So get a run for your money and load it to capacity. " Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. " Check every faucet in your home for leaks. Just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day. Fix it up and you can save almost 6,000 gallons per year. " Check your toilets for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank, watch for a few minutes to see if the color shows up in the bowl. It is not uncommon to lose up to 100 gallons a day from one of these otherwise invisible toilet leaks. Fix it and you save more than 30,000 gallons a year.

WATER SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
The Village of Camden continually works to maintain and upgrade water system components and equipment to ensure continued service of high quality water to our customers. We conduct an annual leak detection program to locate and isolate leaks in the water system. We have found and repaired some significant leaks in our system using this program. We are regularly replacing out-dated water meters with newer versions. In addition, several new water mains have been installed over the past few years to replace older pipes or extend water service to previously unserved areas.

The Water Board continues to act proactively to protect our watershed. The Oneida County Health Department performs an annual inspection of the water system and has found the system is well operated and maintained. CLOSING
Thank you for allowing us to continue to provide your family with quality drinking water this year. In order to maintain a safe and dependable water supply we sometimes need to make improvements that will benefit all of our customers. The costs of these improvements may be reflected in the rate structure. Rate adjustments may be necessary in order to address these improvements. We ask that all our customers help us protect our water sources, which are the heart of our community. Please call our office if you have questions.