APPENDIX 4-ADDITIONAL MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD TOWN OF WILLIAMSON, N.Y., July 22, 1966. Hon. FRANK J. HORTON, DEAR FRANK: As supervisor of the town of Williamson, I would respectfully like to call to your attention the polluted condition of Lake Ontario adjacent to our shore. This condition has existed for some time, but appears to become increasingly worse. The smell is particularly noticeable in the spring and summer and it is very apparent to anyone driving along Lake Road. Algae accumulates along the shoreline and refuse has to be literally bulldozed away in many areas. The current flowing from the west is very apparent from the air, for it it is a distinct dark color. Those who boat on the lake often see sewage floating offshore. As you perhaps know, Williamson uses Lake Ontario for its water supply. Not only do we supply our own needs, but we furnish the town of Marion with its needs. Lake front property sells at a premium, but would be considerably more valuable if the lake weren't polluted. The raw and improperly treated sewage which flows from the west decreases the desirability of Lake Ontario for drinking, swimming, fishing and all recreational purposes. Your interest in this problem is well known and anything your committee can do to correct this situation will be most appreciated. Respectfully yours, EDWIN W. AMEELE, Supervisor. STATEMENT OF John Bain on BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION I am John Bain, a regional director of the National Wildlife Federation, which has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. Ours is a private organization which seeks to attain conservation goals through educational means. Affiliates of the National Wildlife Federation are located in 49 States. The affiliates are composed of local groups and individuals who, when combined with associate members and other supporters of the National Wildlife Federation, number an estimated 2 million persons. We welcome the invitation and opportunity to submit testimony at this hearing, and regret a prior commitment prevents personal attendance. The National Wildlife Federation has concerned itself for many years over the ever increasing problem of water pollution. It has attempted to arouse public interest in the past years by twice using the theme of "clean waters" in its annual Wildlife Week promotion. Today, there is ample evidence that the general public is ready to shoulder the task of pollution abatement and control. New York State voters overwhelmingly endorsed a $1.2 billion bond issue for this purpose at the polls last November. Industry has likewise recognized the economic necessity of an ample supply of unpolluted process water, and is continuing to increase its cost of operations to supply this need. We are pleased that Congressman Frank Horton, a member of this subcommittee, has introduced the bill proposing a comprehensive water resources study of the Great Lakes with emphasis on Ontario and Erie, and that the Army Corps of Engineers has already reported to Congress that it feels the study is warranted. It appears that, with the support of the general public and the legal machinery of the Water Pollution Control Act (Public Law 660) to implement the improvement of our water resources, the remaining area that begs for solution is one of economics. How is this tremendous task to be financed? We believe that any comprehensive study should give due consideration to the economic feasibility of promoted water quality improvement programs. Accepting the fact that the general public must bear the financial burden, either in the 260 form of direct taxes or higher costs of goods requiring improved water quality in their manufacturing processes, it seems incumbent on governmental agencies in this field to assume leadership along sound engineering principles. We must accept the fact that industry is a major contributor to the pollution of the Nation's water resources and considerable improvement in this situation is mandatory if we are to meet the standards that will be established and enforced. Rather than burden the public with a continuing increasing cost of treating fully all waste waters now discharged by industry, we hope this committee will include in its studies recent engineering developments in the area of water reuse within industrial plants through total recycling. Using this approach, it will be possible in many large industrial plants to reduce contaminated waste water discharge materially or often eliminate it entirely. Engineering studies indicate that total recycling facilities would almost double the cost of present partial waste treatment that in many cases are inadequate to meet present water quality standards and incapable of appreciable improvement short of major rebuilding of the system. We believe that ways and means of assisting industry to consider total water reuse through recycling should be sought in the studies of this committee, rather than costly periodic revamping of existing systems. Such a course is certainly more in keeping with the spirit of the law, that seeks to eliminate the cause of pollution, and to continue to improve the quality of standards of our water resources. In support of this testimony, we would like to have included in the record a statement from a recently issued report on "Waste Management and Control" by the Committee on Pollution of the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council: "Consideration must be given to the development of methods that will permit total recycling of all materials consumed and subsequently discharged; while this may appear to be a possibility that might be realized only in the distant future, this is not necessarily the case. In fact, the needs for maintaining a large proportion of the earth in a relatively natural state may be imperative; the results of large-scale, manmade changes of the face of the earth already appear to have possible serious consequences in terms of climatic change, upsetting of atmospheric balance, and deterioration of the land. These consequences may well dictate that human life be made less destructive of natural vegetation, soils, water, and the purity of the atmosphere." In summary, we hope this subcommittee sees fit to report favorably upon the bill authorizing a comprehensive water resources study of the Great Lakes with emphasis on Ontario and Erie. It is our opinion that the financial burden that will be borne ultimately, in one form or another, by the general public, will be lessened if industrial wastes are eliminated or materially reduced from discharge waters through total recycling of inplant process water, and that promotion of such a program is in keeping with the spirit of the law contained in the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Thank you for the opportunity of submitting these remarks. JOINT STATEMENT OF SEVERAL CITIZENS OF SODUS POINT, N.Y. Gentlemen: We would like to bring our problem to the attention of your committee. We have been burdened with this condition for a number of years, but it has become progressively worse. A shallow gully running southeasterly from South Fitzhugh Street to South Ontario Street, and directly into the bay, is the basis of our problem. Several homes bordering on the gully are dumping raw sewage, which is mixed with surface and drainage water, into it. A large amount of detergent pollution has been added by a laundromat, also bordering on the gully, but the owner of this laundromat is now in the process of trying to correct part of this problem. Due to insufficient and damaged drainage facilities, this polluted water does not all find its way to the bay, but has been backed up, forming stagnant pools and swampland. This area is right in the heart of the community, forming a number of hazards: 1. A definite health hazard produced by the raw sewage and bacteria presents an excellent breeding ground for mosquitoes and also an excellent breeding ground for a number of highly infectious and contagious diseases. 2. A dangerous area for youngsters who are naturally attracted to this type of terrain, to say nothing of the dangers in regard to health hazards. Here we find an area loaded with dangers in regard to the safety and wellbeing of the children-mostly shallow water, but deep enough for a toddler 1 to drown in if he didn't die from some disease-muddy areas with a good possibility of quicksand. 3. Although this condition may not affect the health and welfare of the local inhabitants, if the gentlemen on your committee could have the opportunity of smelling the stench that originates from this area, nothing further would need to be said. 4. And probably the greatest interest to you is the pollution factor in regards to the bay. Again the health hazard here. The destruction to natural resources and wildlife caused by pollution and this condition, coupled with a number of others produced by like sources threatening the future of Sodus Bay as a whole (thought to be one of the prettiest bays on the Great Lakes) to say nothing of the eventual and overall pollution of the lake itself. We realize that eliminating this one source of irritation is not the answer to the overall problem but a start has to be made somewhere, and the condition that exists here has, in the townspeoples' estimation, become serious enough to warrant immediate action-whether it be sewers or some like remedy. Something has to be done. We feel sewers would be the most practical solution, and we are hoping with this letter and petition, to gain your recognition and your aid in speedily eliminating this problem. Yours truly, SIGNED BY 17 CITIZENS OF SODUS POINT, N.Y. JULY 26, 1966. To: The House of Representatives, Subcommittee on Natural Resources and Power. Subject: Water pollution. GENTLEMEN: As a summer resident of the Sodus Bay, N. Y. area, I would like to submit the following information in connection with the investigation recently made to determine the amount of pollution in the Sodus Bay area. I live on the strip of land which extends from the east end of the seawall on the east side of the channel to the mainland at the eastern side of the bay. This strip of land actually separates Lake Ontario from Sodus Bay and thus forms the bay. For the past few years the lake shore of this strip of land has been the recipient of tons of a greenish black subsistance which has made it unusable for boating and bathing. For many years we did not know what the substance was and were unable to get an official analysis. However, recent investigations indicate that Both the odor and appearance of the it is an algae which feeds on raw sewage. substance indicate that this is true. When the wind changes to a certain direction and is strong enough, the waves may wash some of the substance away. However, if it stays for any length of time, such as 2 or 3 days, it is dried and bleached by the sun and becomes a permanent fixture. Not only are we concerned with the health problem which we fear will be caused by this pollution, but we are also aware of the fact that this material has collected at the bottom of the lake several hundred feet out and is causing the waves to break at that distance from the shore rather than near the shore. This means that deposits of stone and silt which would normally be carried into shore to rebuild what was once a beautiful beach are never reaching the shore. This could very possibly lead to a continuing breakdown of this strip of land and threaten the navigability of the bay itself. The beach was washed away during a period of extremely high water about 18 years ago. I would like to respectfully request that all possible consideration be given to the solution of this problem. And because it appears to be increasing in volume each year, quick action appears to be necessary. And every resident of this area is ready to lend any assistance to anyone wishing to have any further information. Thank you for your consideration of our problem. Cordially, R. W. GOODMAN. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF MONROE COUNTY: WATER QUALITY IN MONROE COUNTY, APRIL 1966 Water in Monroe County includes the following bodies: Lake Ontario. Genesee River. Irondequoit Bay and Creek. Streams which drain directly into the lake. Streams which drain into the Genesee River or the Irondequoit Creek Basin and then into the lake. Barge Canal. Listed here are the streams with their major tributaries.1 Streams draining into Lake Ontario west of the Genesee River: Little Pond: Slater Creek, Fleming Creek. Round Pond: Round Pond Creek, Paddy Hill Creek, Kirk Creek. Buck Pond: Larkin Creek, Smith Creek. Long Pond: Northrup Creek, Cranberry Pond. Buttonwood Creek. Salmon Creek: West Creek, Moorman Creek, Brockport Creek, Otis Creek. Brush Creek. Cowsucker Creek. Sandy Creek. Yanty Creek. Streams draining into Lake Ontario east of the Genesee River: Durand watersheds Irondequoit Bay: Irondequoit Creek, Allen's Creek, Thomas Creek, Densmore Creek. Four Mile Creek. Mill Creek. East and West Creeks. Shipbuilders Creek. Streams draining into the Genesee River: Little Black Creek. Black Creek: Mill Creek, Hotel Creek. Oatka Creek. Red Creek. Honeoye Creek. INTRODUCTION Reuse will be Today water is being used over and over again in some parts of the United States. By 1980 this will be common practice almost everywhere. impossible, however, if the present pollution trend continues. Water quality varies greatly, depending on the kind and percentage of waste it contains. Water has a tremendous capacity to clean itself of organic matter, given sufficient oxygen for decomposition of waste; but if the waste material in a stream creates a larger biochemical oxygen demand (b.o.d.) than the water's oxygen content can supply, the water becomes foul smelling and septic. How clean do we want our water in Monroe County? The present goal seems to be water quality sufficient for all legitimate purposes: public water supply, industry, agriculture, recreation, and propagation of fish and wildlife. WATER SUPPLY IN MONROE COUNTY In Lake Ontario, Monroe County has a virtually limitless water supply. Drinking water is also obtained from Hemlock and Canadice Lakes south of Monroe County and a number of wells. To bring water from source to customer there are two major suppliers which treat and distribute water: the city of Rochester and the Monroe County Water Authority. Eight villages also treat and distribute water. They are: Brockport, Churchville, East Rochester, Fairport, Hilton, Pittsford, Spencerport, and Webster. City of Rochester, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Water Works The city of Rochester is the supplier for about 85 percent of city customers. The city obtains water from two sources: the original Hemlock Lake gravity 1 Monroe County Planning Council. Drainage Study, stage II March 1964. system, and a newer pumping system on Lake Ontario. The Holley system operated by the city serves the central business district by taking water from the regular system and providing increased pressure for firefighting use. Eastman Kodak Co. maintains its own water system, using Lake Ontario water for industrial purposes. Other city industries use city and Monroe County Water Authority supplies. Monroe County Water Authority The Monroe County Water Authority obtains water from Lake Ontario, and also purchases water from the city's Hemlock system. The authority serves all or part of 15 of the 19 towns of the county: Parma, Ogden, Riga, Greece, Gates, Chili, Wheatland, Rush, Henrietta, Brighton, Mendon, Pittsford, Perinton, Penfield, and Irondequoit. The water authority also serves about 15 percent of customers in the city of Rochester. The authority is seeking to establish a metropolitan water district which would supply all the towns of the county by a leasing program in which the authority would become responsible for all maintenance, renewal and replacement, meter reading, and billing for the residents of a water district. The larger operation is reducing the costs of production and distribution of water and eliminating duplication of facilities and manpower. The authority now supplies approximately 70 percent of the county's population outside the city. Present authority facilities and planned expansion programs will assure Monroe County of abundant water past the year 2000, when population is expected to reach 1.3 million-double that of today. The authority maintains two treatment plants on Lake Ontario and is also connected to the city of Rochester distribution system. This connection provides flexibility for both systems. A number of the villages which treat and distribute water also have connections to Monroe County Water Authority lines. Treatment of water supply in Monroe County Sanitary quality of the water from the hemlock system is controlled only by chlorination. Lake Ontario water is clarified and filtered, as well as chlorinated. Both the city and the authority fluoridate water. The city's waterworks and the Monroe County Water Authority with present techniques would be able to handle a greater degree of pollution than is now found in Lake Ontario and still meet present standards of safety and purity. Treatment of water is generally less efficient among the various villages which supply water. Private water sources are not subject to county health department inspection and control, although the department will test water from a well on request. Public health officials feel that no surface water is clean enough to drink without chlorination. Ground water supplies are also deteriorating. POLLUTION IN MONROE COUNTY Pollution in Monroe County comes from household wastes and industrial plants. The Genesee River receives the runoff from a large farm acreage, the effluent from sewage treatment plants upstream from Rochester, untreated sewage from Rochester's municipal sewer overflows, and sewage treatment plant effluent from the town of Irondequoit. Industrial wastes from Eastman Kodak Co. are treated and discharged into the river. Most other industrial wastes from the city are collected by the Rochester sewerage system, treated at the Rochester sewage treatment plant, and discharged into Lake Ontario. The northwest |