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1. Is my tap water is safe to drink?
Absolutely. For almost a century, Westbury Water District has been
committed to providing and maintaining a top-quality supply of drinking
water to every tap located within its service area. A dedicated team
of water professionals works diligently on a day-to-day basis to meet
the state and federal standards set for public drinking water. After
extensive testing, the Nassau County Department of Health must review
the results to determine whether the utility’s water supply is
safe to deliver to the tap. The Westbury Water District is proud to
report that the water supplied to the community meets and exceeds all
regulations set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and both
the New York State and Nassau County Departments of Health.
2. How do I know my water is being tested and where
can I find the results?
In compliance with federal and state regulations, all public drinking
water suppliers are required to provide their consumers with an Annual
Water Quality Report. Water consumers can read in-depth information
highlighting specific water subjects such as the source of the supply,
costs and treatment methods. The report also contains a table of constituents
found in your public drinking water and a summary of how the levels
of these particular substances compare with drinking water standards.
Westbury Water District distributes the report every spring and encourages
consumers to read the information carefully, directing any additional
questions to district representatives.
3. Should I buy bottled water?
Residents whose public water supply meets all federal, state and local
water standards do not need to buy bottled water. The Westbury Water
District is proud to report that the supply delivered to its consumers
meets and exceeds regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency,
New York State and Nassau County Departments of Health.
On average, Americans spend some $3 billion a year on bottled water.
And, while bottled water might offer a different taste, it can cost
up to 1,000 times more and is not held to the same quality standards
as municipal drinking water. Of course, bottled water can be a necessary
option in the event that an emergency situation occurs. (top
of page)
4. Is my water soft or hard?
Rainwater is naturally soft, however as it seeps into the ground, trickling
through the earth and into the aquifer, it picks up a variety of minerals
from the soil. Hard water contains a significant amount of minerals
such as calcium and magnesium, making it very difficult to create bubbles
when washing dishes or taking a shower. This is the reason it is referred
to as “hard.” On the other hand, the volume of calcium or
magnesium found in soft water is smaller.
What type of water do Westbury Water consumers have? According to the
Water Quality Association of the United States, hard water is defined
as having a dissolved mineral hardness of one grain per gallon or more.
Based on that guideline, the water nature provides Westbury Water District
is considered to be moderately hard. (top of page)
5. Is it OK to refill the plastic bottle I bought
water in?
While bottled water may seem convenient when you’re on the go,
refilling it repeatedly can pose a potential health risk. With a narrow
neck and bumpy inner surface, it is often difficult for you or the dishwasher
to clean the inside of the bottle thoroughly after each use. As a result,
germs and organisms in your own saliva can build up inside the bottle
over time and cause stomach distress.
The district recommends that consumers purchase a bottle designed for
frequent use, such as one that has a wide mouth and smooth inner surface.
Please be sure to wash the bottle thoroughly after each use, allowing
it to completely air dry before filling with delicious Westbury tap
water. (top of page)
6. Is it safe to take a drink from my garden hose
when I am working in the yard?
No. All basic vinyl garden hoses contain substances to help keep it
flexible for outdoor use. These substances, which get into the water
as it flows through the hose, are not good for you and could be a potential
health risk.
Hoses are sometimes used to assist in the application of fertilizers
and other chemicals to your lawn, especially during the summer months.
With this in mind, it’s never a good idea to drink from the same
source, since there is a chance that such substances can linger on or
around the hose and be ingested. (top of page)
7. How long can I store drinking water?
The Westbury Water District recommends storing water for six months
in any airtight container that will not rust, such as a plastic jug.
Please be reminded that after this six-month storage period, disinfectants
will slowly dissipate and the water is no longer safe to drink.
Try this helpful hint: to extend the shelf life of your supply up to
one year, consumers can boil their water for one minute.
Of course, all water should be kept in a cool location. (top
of page)
8. Where does my drinking water come from?
Every public water supplier on Long Island provides their consumers
with groundwater that is naturally filtered as it passes through the
multiple layers of the earth. After moving through the soil, the purified
water replenishes a series of underground reservoirs known as aquifers.
The Westbury Water District maintains 10 deep wells that are drilled
into the Magothy aquifer. This supply travels through 92 miles of water
mains and is delivered right to the tap of every consumer within the
five-square-mile service area. Click here for more information on aquifers.
9. Does the Westbury Water District add fluoride to
its drinking water?
No. About 60 years ago, scientists believed that adding the compound
to the public drinking water supply would aid in the prevention of tooth
decay among Long Island residents. However, it was soon discovered that
exposure to too much fluoride can cause certain adverse health effects.
Therefore, public water suppliers in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties
felt it was in the public’s best interest to stop adding it. (top
of page)
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