EAST FISHKILL – Some of the sinks and drinking fountains at four buildings at the Hudson Valley Research Park in East Fishkill have tested above the state Health Department’s action level for lead. The testing was conducted by the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority, which suppies water to the site.

IBM has begun discussions with the DCWWA and Dutchess County Health Department to initiate a process of retesting and investigation.

DCWWA Executive Director Bridget Barclay told MidHudsonNews.com that while levels are higher than allowable, the problem is not that severe.

 “It is known there are health effects from being exposed to high levels of lead. Generally the regulatory agency don’t consider the volume of lead you’re going to get from drinking water to be a significant source of exposure,” she said. “The regulations require that we advise people of the levels of lead and of the specific things they can do to minimize that.”

The water fountains in buildings 304, 326, 334 and 338 are still on; however, employees are being urged to drink from water coolers. IBM has requested that the cafeteria services vendor flush water faucets within the cafeteria extensively on a daily basis prior to food preparation.

All hot and cold beverage vending machines using municipal water will be shut down and alternate arrangements will be made.

The Dutchess County water line that runs to the research park is less than three years old, so Barclay said it is likely the source of the lead is from pipes in the buildings or in the distribution system at the facility.

Long-time activist and advocate Debra Hall was part of the large audience

HOPEWELL JUNCTION – The EPA is reviewing which one of three new water sources will be used to replace the contaminated wells of residences in the Hopewell Precision Superfund site. 

Lorenzo Thantu, remedial project manager, laid out the source value report that has been recently finalized and released for public review.  The report includes the names of three potential new sources of water to be supplied to the local residents, Little Switzerland, Beekman/Legends and Central Dutchess Water Transmission.

Thantu said that a decision will be made after review of the comments that the EPA received with regard to the water sources. 

The EPA appears to have already ruled out one of the sources.

Of the three water sources being considered, Little Switzerland posed the most problems, he said.

Randy Braun, an attorney and resident of Little Switzerland, felt that Little Switzerland was definitely not the district where the new water source should be sought.  According to Braun, the water system is fragile, the piping was not placed correctly when the development was originally created and there is a great deal of leakage.  Braun also feels that by using Little Switzerland as a water source that there is a potential for further harm and contamination.

“Several of us have looked at the possibility of there being backwash into the aquifer, in Little Switzerland, is a possibility, in which case they could be doing double the harm than is currently being inflicted on the folks in the Plume area.”  He said.

Debra Hall, the founder of the Hopewell Junction Citizens for Clean Water, said her primary concern was ending up with county water. She feels that the Dutchess County water from the Central Dutchess Water Transmission Line is “not good” and said that the chlorination process used on the water is horrible.  Hall also said she has heard testimony at legislature meetings of others complaining of the same problems with the county waterline.  She was also concerned about the levels of PCB’s, a cancer causing chemical, in the water caused by the dredging and clean up of the chemical in the Hudson River. 

“A low level to me is still a level and with what we’ve been through, I don’t want any level.  I want the best water even if it’s going to take more work and more time, even a little more time.”

The public comment period on the source ends January 12, 2010.