Corrosion testing underway in Niskayuna after elevated copper levels were found in water of some homes

Niskayuna, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The town of Niskayuna is addressing elevated copper levels found in the water of some homes near their water treatment plant. Residents began to grow concerned when they saw signs like blue water and staining in their sinks and fixtures.

“I know there must be a lot of anxiety and contention behind having the issue, I would feel the same way” said Niskayuna Town Supervisor, Erin Cassady-Dorion. “It is helpful for us to know where this is happening so that we can make sure it is, you know, what we think is causing it.”

Dorion wants residents to know that they are taking the necessary steps to solve this issue. 

“Copper is coming from the service line coming into their home” explained Dorion. “The thing that we have control over is the pH of the water coming out of the treatment plant.”

Officials believe that a potential cause may be the pH balance of the water leaving the plant. As it enters copper service lines of homes nearby the plant, it may be contributing to the corrosion.

“We’re looking to see what we can do at our plant to help reduce the corrosion that people are seeing” said Superintendent of Niskayuna Water and Sewer, Matt Yetto. “We’re also taking water samples in the area to get a better understanding of exactly how far this issue extends beyond the plant. Right now, it’s it’s a less than five homes that we know of.”

The Town of Niskayuna Water Treatment Plant is running a test to find out if adjusting the pH of the water in the main line could reduce corrosion in copper service lines. The testing relies on the weight of metal discs inside the pipes, measuring how much metal is lost overtime when exposed to the water. They are measuring both a controlled line with the current water being distributed, and water with a pH balancing costic soda. Once the study concludes, if a new pH balance is found to reduce corrosion, they will take the steps to fix it town wide. 

 “Anything below a seven is acidic, so even if it’s even slightly below seven, it can cause the water when it’s sitting against the copper pipe that’s leading to a home or within a home to leach out some of the copper into the water” Yetto noted. “So usually it’s considered the first draw sample, after water has been off overnight. That’s when you’re going to typically have the highest copper concentration.”

As the corrosion study continues, the water treatment plant is urging residents who have concerns to reach out to the Town of Niskayuna Water and Sewer Department at (518)-386-4520.