What’s the Source of Our Campus Drinking Water?
Lake Ontario provides our drinking water. It’s filtered and disinfected by the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) at their Shoremont Treatment Plant, which is on the lakeshore in the town of Greece. There, the water goes through a rigorous testing and treatment process that consists of coagulation, filtration, and disinfection prior to distribution. Chlorine is used to disinfect the water and to provide the residual disinfectant that preserves the sanitary quality of the water as it travels to campus.
Then the water starts a 20-mile journey through pipes operated by the MCWA to the reservoir on the south side of the village. At this point, the distribution of the water is taken over by the Village of Brockport Department of Public Works. Traveling the last couple of miles to campus with yet more testing being done.
At the edge of campus, our own Facilities Maintenance and Operations staff take over distribution to the 40 main buildings on campus. Our in-house staff also cares for the 75 fire hydrants that are part of our campus distribution system. Now the water must travel through each buildings distribution system. This is where our plumbing and other maintenance staff step in. Did you know that just a slow drip can waste 15 to 20 gallons a day? So if you notice a dripping faucet, please report it to the Facilities Service Center (395-2408). You can help us save almost 6,000 gallons per year with just a quick phone call!
From the lake to the tap, water goes through many steps on its way to our faucets. It’s a crucial process that requires constant attention from many dedicated staff.
Some Trivia:
Lake Ontario, the source of our water is the 13th largest lake in the world with 393 cubic miles of water. It is also the second deepest of the great lakes, at an average of 282 feet. Lake Ontario has the least amount of surface area of the five Great Lakes. Due to its depth and size, the last time Lake Ontario fully froze was in 1934.