Village Of Fonda: Departments: Water Department [Digital Towpath]

Water Plant Operator oversees water plant operations and maintenance. Water Comissioner is in charge of the water mains, hookups, hydrants and entire water distribution system.

Hydrant flushing is done in the spring and fall. It may cause the water to be discolored, just let the cold water run a few minutes and it should clear up.

Water-sewer bills are issued semi-annually in April and October.

The Municipal Water System provides 1150 customers with almost 600,000 gallons of water each day. The Village has two sources of supply, the Briggs Run Reservoir and the original water source on Hickory Hill Road. The water is treated by adding chlorine at the plant that is located at 361 Reservoir Road. The Village also maintains two storage tanks, one on Cemetery St. and one at the waterplant. This allows the system to run by gravity feed. The Village has the responsibility for water services to the curb box. From the curb box to the building, it is the property owner's responsibility. Water rates start at $0.96 per 1000 gallons for the first 20,000 gallons per six month billing period. Rates are double for customers outside of the Village. The Village Water Utility has been in existence since the 1880's.

A property owner who has failed to receive his/her water bill in a timely manner is still responsible for the timely payment of water/sewer rents and any late penalty. An owner of real property has an obligation to be aware of the existence of water meter on his premises and take appropriate action to see that the meter bills are rendered and paid. An implied contract arises between the property owner and the municipality for use of water during the period for which he was not billed and the owner is liable for the unpaid water/sewer rents plus any late penalties. The meters shall remain the property of the Village of Fonda. Any damage to a meter sustained by reasons of carelessness by the owner, or his/her tenants of the premises shall be replaced by the Village of Fonda at the property owner;s expense.

Billing is semi-annually April and October
WATER RATES: Effective October 1, 2011 (adopted April 25, 2011)

Inside Village Limits Outside Village Limits

0-20,000 gallons .96 per 1,000+ 1.92 per 1,000+

20,001-45,000 gallons .92 per 1,000+ 1.84 per 1,000+

45,001-70,000 gallons .88 per 1,000+ 1.76 per 1,000+

70,001-95,000 gallons .82 per 1,000+ 1.64 per 1,000+

95,001-120,000gallons .78 per 1,000+ 1.56 per 1,000+

120,001-145,000gallons .75 per 1,000+ 1.50 per 1,000+

over 145,000gallons .57 per 1,000+ 1.14 per 1,000+

This rate structure is cumulative

Filtration surcharge is 1.25 times the basic water rate.

Sewer use charge is 5.75 times the basic water rate, amended April 27, 2009

MINIMUM CHARGE per 6 months: beginning October 1, 2009

WATER SEWER

$19.20 for 20,000 gallons $110.40 (5.75 times 19.20)

+$24.00 filtration surcharge (1.25 times 18.20)

$43.20 total minimum water bill $110.40 total minimum sewer bill

According to Local Law 1-1976, Providing for the institution, administration and collection of sewer rents in the Village of Fonda, Montgomery County, New York, Section 5 f reads; "The minimum charge for sewer rentals established by this chapter shall be charged even if the property is unoccupied and no consumption of water is shown on the water meter, or if no sewage is discharged into the sewer system." The meters shall remain the property of the Village of Fonda. Any damage to a meter sustained by reasons of carelessness by the owner, or his/her tenants of the premises shall be replaced by the Village of Fonda at the property owner's expense. A property owner who has failed to receive his/her water bill in a timely manner is still responsible for the timely payment of water/sewer rents and any late penalty. An owner of real property has an obligation to be aware of the existence of water meter on his premises and take appropriate action to see that the meter bills are rendered and paid. An implied contract arises between the property owner and the municipality for use of water during the period for which he was not billed and the owner is liable for the unpaid water/sewer rents plus any late penalties.

Water Plant hours alternate between mornings and afternoons. DPW hours are 7am to 3:30pm

If you have a water service emergency that needs attention during non-regular working hours, call the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department (518-853-5500) or 9-1-1.

NYS Department of Health Information This is a great source of information pertaining to health and safety in the home, including drinking water and public water facilities.
Triploid Grass Carp in New York- NYS DEC Use this link for more information on the addition of grass carp to help control vegetation/

Boil Water Advisory or Notice FAQ

What is a Boil Water Advisory? Is it the same as a Boil Water Notice?
A Boil Water Advisory (BWA) is a public statement advising customers to boil tap water before consuming it.
Advisories are issued when an event has occurred allowing the possibility for the water distribution system to
become contaminated. An advisory does not mean that the water is contaminated, but rather that it could be
contaminated; because the water quality is unknown, customers should assume the water is unsafe to drink and
take the appropriate precautions. An advisory is different from a Boil Water Notice, which is issued when
contamination is confirmed in the water system. During a notice, all customers must boil their water before
consuming it or use bottled water

What should I do during a Boil Water Advisory or Notice?
You should boil tap water vigorously for at least one full minute prior to using it for drinking or cooking (the minute
starts when the water begins to bubble). This includes water used for brushing teeth, making ice, washing raw
foods, preparation of drinks, and water for pets. Wait for the water to cool before using it, or store it in the
refrigerator in a clean container. Boiling removes harmful bacteria in the water that may cause illness. You should
throw away ice made during the time the advisory or notice was issued, as freezing does not kill bacteria.
After an advisory or notice has been lifted (if contamination of the water system did occur), you should flush
household pipes, ice makers, water fountains, etc. prior to using for drinking or cooking. Flushing simply means
letting the water run to ensure that no contaminated water remains in your pipes. Follow the these guidelines for
flushing:
* Run all cold water faucets in your home for one minute
* To flush automatic ice makers, make three batches of ice and discard
* Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle
* Run drinking water fountains for one minute
* Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

Do I still need to boil my water if I have a filter system on my faucet or refrigerator?
Most point-of-use (POU) filters are designed to improve the aesthetics of water (improve taste and odor), not
remove harmful bacteria. You can learn about the capability of your filter by contacting the manufacturer or NSF
International, an independent testing group located in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Ph. 1-800-673-8010). If in doubt, you
should boil your water or use bottled water even if you have a filtering system.

Is the water safe for washing dishes, laundry, and bathing?
The water is safe for washing dishes, but you should use hot, soapy water (you may add one tablespoon of
bleach per gallon as a precaution) and rinse dishes in boiled water. There are no restrictions on doing laundry.
The water is also safe for bathing during an advisory or notice; if the water is contaminated by a chemical that will
cause harm on contact, a Do Not Use Notice , meaning the water should not be used for bathing.

How long must a Boil Water Advisory or Notice be in effect?
An advisory or notice will remain in effect until test samples show the water is safe to drink. Testing for bacteria
requires 18-24 hours to complete, depending on the type of test used. The samples are incubated to actually
grown bacteria, if any are present. As a result, advisories and notices will be in effect for at least 18-24 hours.

What are total coliform bacteria?
Total coliform bacteria are a collection of microorganisms that live in large numbers in the intestines of humans
and animals, as well as in most soils and surface water. A sub-group of these microorganisms is the fecal coliform
bacteria, the most common member being E coli. These bacteria occur naturally in lakes and streams, but
indicate that the water is contaminated with human or animal waste and therefore may pose a health risk to
people who drink it. The water treatment process removes these bacteria from the water, but events such as a
water main break or a loss of pressure in the water distribution system may allow these bacteria to enter water
lines through cracks in pipes or back-siphoning from a residential plumbing system. Boiling water vigorously for
one minute will kill these bacteria and make water safe to drink.

Under what circumstances will the Water Department issue a Boil Water Advisory or Notice?
The New York State Department of Health regulates water utilities and specifies instances when an advisory or
notice must be issued.
An advisory must be issued in the following instances:
* If untreated water reaches the distribution system
* Loss of pressure in the entire distribution system or a significant portion of the system
* A water main break where dirt and debris have entered the distribution piping
A Boil Water Notice must be issued under the following circumstances:
* When test samples indicate the presence of total coliform bacteria.
These situations are not the only times when an advisory or notice should be issued. Specific situations, upon
consultation with NYS DOH, may also require an advisory or notice.

How will I know when the advisory or notice has been lifted?
The Village of Fonda Water Department will issue a repeal of the advisory or notice when the water is safe to
drink; stay tuned to radio and television stations for updates. We will also post information on this web site.

Since an advisory is a precautionary measure, will I get sick if I drink the water?
What if I drank some water before I found out about the advisory?
Until test results show the water is safe to drink, you should not drink the water without boiling it first. During an
advisory, chances are, if you are in good health, you will not get sick from drinking the water; however, young
children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems should not drink the water
until it is deemed safe to drink. Symptoms of illness caused by bacteria in the water may include diarrhea,
cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. Please note that these symptoms are not caused only by
organisms in drinking water. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek
medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find information pertaining to public water supplies?

A good source of information is the NYS Department of Health site at http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/water/drinking/

If you would like to speak to someone at the State level regarding our water supply, contact

Regional Herkimer District Office
5665 State Route 5
Herkimer, New York 13350
Phone: (315) 866-6879
Fax: (315) 866-8192

Do we fluoridate the drinking water?
No. The proper dose of fluoride can be administered more effectively with supplements.
Research has shown that too much fluoride can damage tooth enamel and cause
mottling of the teeth.

How do I find out about the quality of my drinking water?
The Village of Fonda issues an annual drinking water report that includes a thorough
analysis of the Village of Fonda’s drinking water.A copy is included with the April utility billing

and is also posted on this website.

Why is my water discolored?
The most common cause of water discoloration comes from iron corrosion in the
Village’s one hundred year old water system. Adjustments are made at the filtration
plant to limit the release of iron deposits. The adjustment of pH, as well as the addition
of zinc orthophosphate, helps to reduce discoloration. During a fire event or a hydrant
flush, the resulting increase in water flows can disturb deposits in the system and may
cause temporary discoloration. Residents experiencing discoloration are instructed to
run the cold water tap until their water clears.

When will hydrant flushing be done?

In general, the entire water distribution system will undergo a full flushing procedure semi-annually,

usually done in May and late Septermber or early October, depending on the water level at the Reservoir.

Exact times and dates will be posted in advance in order for you to plan accordingly. Notice will be posted online as well.

I washed my laundry after a hydrant flush and my white clothes have brown
spots. Is there anything I can do to remove them?
Laundry that has been stained with iron deposits should not be placed in the dryer. The
clothes should be re-washed with a stain remover such as Red-B-Gone or Fels Naptha.

Why does my water look “milky”?
“Milky” water is usually a result of entrained air, which is not harmful. A quick test to
determine the presence of entrained air is to fill a clear glass with water and set it on
the counter. If you observe the water clearing from the bottom up, then entrained air is
the cause of the milky appearance.

How do I know how much water I use?
Your water bill will show water consumption for a six month period. If you divide this
number by 180 you can determine your daily consumption. The average daily usage
per person is 70-100 gallons.

Where is my water meter located?
The water meter is located adjacent to the water pipe where the pipe enters the
building, usually in the basement. The small rectangular device located on the outside
of the building is called a remote reader and allows the water meter reader to obtain a
reading without entering your building. Readings are taken every March and
September.

I have the "old style" non-remote water meter. Can I get a new remote reader installed?

Yes....just give us a call (518.853.4335 office or 518.848-4507 for Street & Water Commissioner Chris Weaver- cell) to set up an appointment. The whole procedure should take about 30-45 minutes, and having this done will assist us with efficiency in obtaining your future meter reads.

How do I determine if I have a water leak?
First turn off all household appliances that use water, then observe the actual meter. If
the small red paddle wheel on the face of the meter is turning, then you have a leak. If
outside assistance is needed to repair a leak, then residents should contact a plumber.

If I am selling my property should I contact the Village?
A week before closing, please contact the Village office at (518) 853-4335 to arrange
for a final reading or submit the form indicating a final reading request. It may be necessary

for a water department employee to enter the basement of your property. The Village requires

that someone be present during inspection which will take approximately ten minutes.

In addition, an adjustment sheet
will be faxed to your attorney. Please be prepared to provide the phone and fax number
of your attorney when contacting the office.

2010 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF - 25.6 KB)
2009 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report (PDF - 26.0 KB)
Water Service Turn On Request (PDF - 16.9 KB)
Water Service Turn Off Request (PDF - 16.7 KB)
New Water Service Application (PDF - 33.0 KB)
2008 Annual Water Quality Report (PDF - 19.8 KB)
Water Loss in Gallons (PDF - 21.2 KB)
Final Bill Request-Simple Form (PDF - 34.4 KB)

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