‘Know your water’ campaign kicks off: Committee encourages all to test

The Shelter Island Water Advisory Committee (WAC) is launching a “Know Your Water” initiative to encourage residents to test their well water. Every homeowner should be aware of the quality of the water in their home, the committee says. 

The QR code you will notice on signs around town will take you to an explanatory document with a link to the Suffolk County Well Water Testing application. Suffolk County will come and test your water each year for a $100 fee. Even if you have some filtration in your home, it may or may not address all contaminants that might be present. 

Most of the water on Shelter Island is potable. Nevertheless, what is put on the land (fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides) and what is put down drains and septic systems (household chemicals and residual pharmaceuticals from our bodies) make their way to the aquifer and into drinking water, creeks and bays. 

This is not theoretical: a range of harmful compounds have been detected in wells to varying degrees and may be a problem for you depending on location. Near the Center, the density of homes and short distances between septic tanks and wells increases risks to drinking water. 

Meanwhile, in low lying near-shore areas, in addition to septic contaminants, there is risk of salt-water intrusion due to drought, sea level rise and excessive pumping.

If you have not already, the WAC encourages you to use this opportunity to arrange for your well water to be tested.