This entry is really just a reply to Jeff’s posted comment under the “Raw sewage still Flowing into the Creek” entry.  Since this really falls under the “Water Supply” heading I’ve brought it out to the main entry section to open up comments on this topic.

The post is as follows.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006 7:42 PM

Jeff wrote:
I've been reading up on coliform bacteria for my own education. I figured it appropriate since I've been consuming it anyway in what I would consider a more than necessary basis here in Bayville.

The golden question is: Does anyone know the real type of coliform bacteria that it was? There is a fecal coliform type that would be in alignment with the sewage problems mentioned above. It would also explain why my family was experiencing "stomach ailment's" at that same time.
How can I obtain a copy of the water test? Is it public domain?

The following link to the EPA’s website gives a brief description of coliform types:

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hfacts.html

The water is tested for the presence of coliform as an indicator of overall water quality, and coliform bacteria are not necessarily harmful.  Fecal coliform and E. coli. are more specific types of coliform and are not necessarily present just because the water was found to have coliform levels above the standards for drinking water.  However, the fact that you, and many other people, were sickened during that period is a good indicator that these organisms may have been present.  The only way to find out for sure is to look at the source document, which, in this case is the report from the water test – which brings us to your next question.

Nearly every document that is part of the records kept by any government body is public information.  Under the New York Freedom of Information Law (F.O.I.L.), you simply make a request in writing, and the municipality is required to respond within five days and provide you with the document in a reasonable time frame.

Because this law and the “Open Meetings Law”, are so important, I am providing the link to the “Committee on Open Government” in this entry and will request that the administrator put the link permanently in the sidebar.

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/coogwww.html

The links to the actual text of the two laws mentioned above are in the left sidebar.

Barry E. Lamb
Bayville