SAFE DRINKING WATER:

What consumers need to know & steps you can take

Where does drinking water come from?
• Drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) or ground water (water found
underground), or a combination.
• Drinking water is delivered by different sources: a public or community water system, a private well, or
through a company if the consumer purchases bottled water.
• Public and community water systems are systems that serve piped water to at least 25 persons or 5
service connections.

How do I know my drinking water is safe?

• If drinking water comes from a public water system, the consumer can find out about the quality of the
water through the Annual Water Quality Report. These reports are to be mailed to the public water system
consumers annually.
• If drinking water comes from a private well, it is the individual homeowner’s responsibility to assess the
quality of the water supply. There are several easy measures to take: find out where the well is located,
monitor the water for changes (odor, color, taste), and test the water annually.
• If purchasing bottled water, it is tested as part of the New York State Bottled Water Certification
Program.

What can I do if there is a problem with my drinking water?

• Public water supply: Contact the public water system provider listed on the water bill.
• If an individual’s well water is contaminated, it may need to be treated or disinfected. Water treatment
devices are available and could be installed to treat and/or remove impurities. Contact the County’s
Water Lab at (845) 486-3411 for information about testing well water or the Safe Drinking Water Hotline
(800-426-4791) for disinfection and treatment options.

William R. Steinhaus Michael C. Caldwell, MD, MPH

County Executive Commissioner of Health


Dutchess County Executive
William R. Steinhaus

CALL YOUR ASSESSOR TODAY -- See if you can get a break on your

Property Tax Exemption Application with your

Veterans/spouses
May be your deadline to file your
Dutchess County Veterans Service Agency

Attention
veterans@co.dutchess.ny.us

March 1, 2006
local Tax Assessor.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

2007 Property Taxes!

22 Market Street
(845) 486-2060
Director, DC Veterans Service Agency
Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret)
 February 2006

Dear Veteran/Spouse:

This letter is to inform you that you may be eligible for a veteran's real
property tax exemption on your primary residence property taxes.

March 1, 2006 is the deadline in many municipalities for applying for a veteran's
real property tax exemption for 2007. If you miss the deadline and are late filing
an application, you might not receive a tax savings until the year 2008.
chemicals.

www.cdc.gov
The city/village/town portion of your veteran’s real property tax exemption varies
between municipalities. The state allows municipalities to offer a partial property
tax exemption under two different laws."
and contamination.

www.dutchessny.gov
www.health.state.ny.us
www.epa.gov/safewater
test their water regularly.

Dutchess County • Eligible Funds Exemption: Offers a $5,000 reduction on the assessed
Veterans value of property purchased with veteran’s funds, such as mustering out
Service Agency
pay, disability compensation and pension, war bonus, and veteran’s
William R. Steinhaus
insurance dividends.
Where can I get more information?

Or you may visit the following websites

County Executive
What to do in case of an emergency?
How can I protect my drinking water?

Nelson Eddy Rivera, USN (Ret)

• Alternative Exemption: Provides an exemption of 15% for wartime
Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791

Director service, an additional 10% for duty in a combat zone, and an added (use “drinking water” as a keyword search):
American Legion Accredited exemption equal to half of the veteran’s service-connected disability
Elva L. Girton rating. If adopted locally, the municipalities can establish a dollar-value
Deputy cap on each of the three listed categories within the benefit.
22 Market Street
Poughkeepsie Beginning in 2007, tax exemptions on each category are increased as follows:
New York
12601 • Wartime Veteran (15%) – from $15,000 to $27,000
(845)486-2060
Fax (845)486-6452 • Combat Veteran (10%) – from $10,000 to $18,000
veterans@co.dutchess.ny.us • Disability (1/2 of DR*) – from $50,000 to $90,000
*½ of Disability Rating issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs

Your local tax assessor will determine your maximum exemption.

They may conduct an investigation and/or test wells in the area of the spill.

March 1st is also the deadline to apply for the School Tax Relief program (STAR),
which provides homeowners savings on their school tax bill."
Recycle used motor oil! Take used motor oil to a service station or recycling center.

• After a flood: If a well has been submerged, it should be tested for coliform bacteria.

For more information or help in securing your veteran’s tax exemption or other
SAFE DRINKING WATER (Continued)

veteran’s benefits, contact your Dutchess County Veterans Service Agency office,
located at 22 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, telephone number (845) 486-2060,
email veterans@co.dutchess.ny.us.
This informational flyer was prepared and brought to you by the Dutchess County Department of Health
387 Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (Tel) 845.486.3400 (Fax) 845.486.3447 (TTY) 845.486.3417
• After a spill: Contact the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at 800-457-7362.
Don’t contaminate! Keep marinas, lakes and rivers clean. Reduce the amount of chemicals and pesticides

• In the event of an emergency, individuals may need to rely on alternative drinking water sources. It is
Resource Recovery Agency at (845) 463-6020 for more information on disposal and recycling of household
used in and around the home, and replace with safer alternatives. Contact the Dutchess County
Be Informed! Drinking water protection is everyone’s responsibility. Think about the water you drink. Is it a

Quality Report provided by the water supplier. Private well owners should maintain their well properly and

important to always have several bottles of water on hand to be prepared to deal with water supply disruption
public water supply? Or a private well? Consumers of a public water supply should read the Annual Water

http:\\www.dutchessny.gov