addressing emerging water crises in Upstate New York
UWCP (Upstate Water Contamination Project) engages northern New Yorkers by addressing emerging water crises Upstate. Utilizing opinion surveying, policy analysis, community organizing, GIS, and citizen science, the WICC team acts as a liaison between and an advocate for Upstate communities and decision-makers.
road salt in the ADIRONDACKS
resident surveying
WICC collected 125 surveys from residents across Adirondack Park to better understand resident attitudes toward road salt contamination and their water’s safety. Most ADK residents surveyed did think that road salt contamination was a problem in their town. Respondents with private wells were more confident in their water’s safety and more concerned with road salt contamination than respondents connected to public water supplies. 56% of respondents had never tested their household's water supply. Read the full memo on surveying conclusions here.
water quality monitoring
UWCP is leading a cohort of young citizen scientists at high schools in the Park to collect chloride samples from surface water bodies across the Adirondacks. This will aid in understanding the extent to which winter de-icing practices contaminate water supplies across the Adirondacks. Check out our Salt Watch Hubs here.
pfas in poestenkill
community liaison
A complicated problem requires diligent communication, and UWCP has been working to provide both residents and local leaders with effective reporting, digestable educational info, and informative community events to ensure that the problem is solved by and for Poestenkill residents.
responding to contamination
So far, UWCP has provided a handful of residents with free or reduced-price household PFAS tests, and has undertaken citizen science water quality sampling of the Tomhannock reservoir. UWCP will continue to work with and for residents to ensure that the most effective, sustainable solution to the PFAS problem is taken.