FAQs
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Q1: Please name the chemicals that are going to be used for water disinfection and their concentration levels.
Q2: Please describe the purification/disinfection process that United Water will use.
Q3: Where is the water coming currently from?
Q4: How will United Water's water supply sources change in the future?
Q5: Will homes close to pump station experience higher levels of chlorine in their water?
Q6: If there was a breach or leak in a chlorine tank, please tell would this pose any danger to the neighborhood?
Q7: Is the building is an earthquake resistant structure?
Q8: How many gallons of water will be pumped per day?
Q9: What, if any, is the increased capacity of the pipes that will be used?
Q10: If a pipe were to break, would there be any danger of flooding our neighborhood?
Q11: Would you operate your own generators if there was a power failure?
Q12: What kind of alarm system is the facility going to have?
Q13: Will there be security 24 hours a day?
Q14: When will chipping of the rock will begin?
Q1:
Please name the chemicals that are going to be used for water disinfection and their concentration levels.A1:
First, as a point of clarification, the water that is delivered to the Delaware Pump Station does not require disinfection; it has been disinfected by New York City, whom United Water New Rochelle purchases water from. The chemicals that are being used at the Delaware Pump Station are:- Sodium hypochlorite (similar to bleach), is created onsite at a concentration of 1% sodium hypochlorite (by weight), i.e., 99% is water. Sodium hypochlorite is used to maintain chlorine residual in the water to ensure that the water remains pure and to ensure bacteriological safety as it travels to your home. As a point of reference the chlorine beach found in most homes has a concentration of approximately 5% sodium hypochlorite.
- In addition the company will also use sodium hydroxide (caustic soda or lye) at a concentration of 50% sodium hydroxide (by weight). Sodium hydroxide shall be used to increase the pH of the water to help prevent corrosion of water mains and household plumbing. It also reduces the chance of lead dissolving in the water from your plumbing.
- The third chemical is zinc metaphosphate at a concentration of 70% zinc metaphosphate (by weight). Zinc metaphosphate shall also be used to help prevent corrosion of water mains and household plumbing. Like sodium hydroxide, zinc metaphosphate also reduces the chance of lead dissolving in the water from your plumbing.
Q2:
Please describe the purification/disinfection process that United Water will use.A2:
There are no purification or disinfection processes occurring at the Delaware Pump Station. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection disinfects the water prior to delivering it to United Water New Rochelle. The Delaware Pump Station will withdraw water from New York City’s Delaware Aqueduct, add sodium hypochlorite to maintain chlorine residual, and pump it to United Water New Rochelle’s distribution system.Q3:
Where is the water coming currently from?A3:
The supply source for United Water New Rochelle is surface water that is purchased from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. The three sources of New York City supply that we utilize include the Croton, Catskill and Delaware reservoir systems. Water from the Catskill and Delaware aqueducts flow into the Kensico Reservoir, north of our connection to the New York City system, where they are blended and sent to New York City in the Catskill and Delaware aqueducts. On an annual basis, about 90% of the water comes from the Catskill reservoir system, with the other 10% coming from a combination of the Croton and Delaware systems.Q4:
How will United Water's water supply sources change in the future?A4:
In the future, as a result of federal and state regulations, United Water New Rochelle must stop using the Croton supply. In addition, the Catskill Aqueduct will be taken out of service by New York City for much needed repairs in September 2007. The Delaware Pump Station project will allow United Water New Rochelle to connect to the Delaware Aqueduct, which will improve the redundancy in our source of supply and allow us to supply a larger volume of Delaware Aqueduct water to our customers while the Catskill repairs are underway.Q5:
Will homes close to pump station experience higher levels of chlorine in their water?A5:
Before the water leaves the Delaware Pump Station, the chlorine level will be measured to ensure that it complies the levels allowed by the EPA and DOH.Q6:
If there was a breach or leak in a chlorine tank, would this pose any danger to the neighborhood?A6:
The chlorine tanks are stored in a containment area, which is designed to hold the contents of the tank in the event of a breach or leak.Q7:
Is the building is an earthquake resistant structure?A7:
The building has been designed to meet the area’s seismic requirements in accordance with the New York State Building Code.Q8:
How many gallons of water will be pumped per day?A8:
The station is designed to pump a maximum of 43 million gallons per day (MGD).Q9:
What, if any, is the increased capacity of the pipes that will be used?A9:
We are not altering the capacity of the existing distribution mains (pipes) adjacent to the Delaware Pump Station.Q10:
If a pipe were to break, would there be any danger of flooding our neighborhood?A10:
In the event of a main break we do not expect any significant flooding.Q11:
Would you operate your own generators if there was a power failure?A11:
Yes.Q12:
What kind of alarm system is the facility going to have?A12:
The Delaware Pump Station has several alarms, including a fire alarm and security alarm system that will be monitored 24 hours day. In addition the facility has process control alarms that are monitored by trained operators at United Water.Q13:
Will there be security 24 hours a day?A13:
As discussed above, the Delaware Pump Station will have a security alarm system that will be monitored 24 hours a day.Q14:
When will chipping of the rock will begin?A14:
Chipping of the rock is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 23. It will take up to five months to remove all the rock required to construct the Delaware Pump Station.Back to top of page.