DEP Biweekly Reports Folder 0049, 2000-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Department of Environmental Prote Ion Executive Offices 59-17 Junction Boulevard-19th floor Corona, New York 11368-5107 www.nyc.gov/dep

Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., Commissioner (718) 595-6565 Fax'#: (718) 595-3525 E-mail: [email protected] V~ MEMORANDUM

To: Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani

From: Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr.,

Re: Bi-weekly Report - January 5 to January 19, 2001

Date: January 19, 2001

Emerging Issues

General Water Quality and Quantity As a result of mid-December rainsdtur itv 1_evels rose throughout the system, but primarily in the Catskill district reservoirs. When it became clear that DEP would not be able to contain or control turbidity levels solely by means of operational measures, the City contacted the State to secure a permit to add alum at the Kensico Reservoir. Alum causes small particles in the water to bind together into larger particles that then settle out in the reservoirs. The City system is designed for alum addition, with a facility just north of Kensico along the Catskill Aqueduct dedicated for that purpose. Due to concerns raised by members of the environmental community, the State has been reluctant to give permits to the City on the rare occasions that alum addition is necessary. After a great deal of discussion, DEP was able to convince the State of the necessity of alum addition at this time and a permit was issued. DEP began adding alum on January 10. Preliminary results show that the alum has been effective in lowering turbidity levels moving through the Kensico Reservoir and DEP believes that any violation of drinking water standards from this event has been avoided. DEP expects that alum addition will be continue for at least the next couple of weeks. Asof the reservoirs were at 89.4% of capacity. Normal capacity for this time of ye is 80.1%. Consumption for January 18 was 1144.0 million gallons.

NYC-WTC 000137961 -1- W \ 6JAN 232004 f-oo i4 q