Water Department

Water Maintenance

The Elma Water Department employs eight dedicated professionals who continuously participate in educational training, maintain licensing programs that develop their skills to the highest possible levels. These people live in our town, are your friends, and drink the same water you do. No wonder they are committed to making sure that your water is pure, safe and affordable.

The Elma Water Department takes ten water samples per month at different sites around the town for microbiological contamination. In 2004 there were no violations.

The water department in its maintenance program flushes water mains on over 75 streets and had good chlorine readings at all locations. This is usually done in late December and early January.

The Environmental Protection Agency regulations insist the Elma Water Department notify customers if the water is not safe to drink. Water is not safe to drink when testing reveals that contaminants in the water exceed national limits for contaminant levels. In the unlikely event that water becomes unsafe to drink, Elma Water Department will notify the public by newspaper, television and radio announcements.

For a charge, homeowners who want to have their drinking water tested for bacteria, lead, copper, iron, nitrate, and mineral content may call the Erie County Public Health Laboratory at the Erie County Medical Center campus at 462 Grider Street, Buffalo, New York. Call the laboratory at 898-6100 to arrange to bring samples in.

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Water Backflow

The Elma Water Department is a leader with our Cross Control Program that protects the water quality within our system from contamination of industrial and commercial accounts. Homeowners can also help us protect our water supply by making sure they have vacuum breakers on all hose bibs. These are available at all hardware and building supply for less than five dollars. We have hosted training classes for town industry, the fire services, and other towns and villages from across the state about the importance of a complete cross control program. We are one of the few communities that are in compliance with the New York State and Erie County Health Departments for cross control.

When water is flowing in the opposite direction from its normal flow-ThatG¦+s backflow and it can put our water in danger.

If the water pressure in your area becomes lower than normal, the water can flow backwards. If you do not want to drink it, do not connect your water system to it. Always be sure thereG¦+s an air space of at least two inches. Do not leave hoses in buckets of water, car radiators, chemical sprays for lawn and gardens, etc. Make sure there is a hose-bib vacuum breaker attached to each outdoor spigot. If you have a well on your property make sure there are no connections between that water and the public water supply. You can be held responsible if the public water supply is contaminated by your cross connection.

To insure the safety of the public water supply, all businesses in the Town of Elma are mandated by law to be in compliance with the New York State and federal Laws regarding Cross Connection Control. All businesses must have an acceptable backflow device that is tested by a certified tester at least once a year. The appropriate paper work must be filed with the Elma Water Department office. Failure to comply with these laws will result in the shutting off of public water to the facility and the loss of your business use permit.

Water Conservation

1. Check faucets and toilets for leaks [To check a toilet, place enough food coloring in the upper tank to change the color of the water. Do Not Flush! Come back in 10 to 15 minutes if any coloring is in the bowl portion of the tank you have a leak. Usually the flapper valve needs replacing. Note: a leaking toilet can double or triple a water bill.
2. Take shorter showers and shallow baths.
3. Turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush.
4. Stop using the toilet as a wastebasket.
5. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors.
6. Water your lawn only when it needs it and only during cool parts of the day. To help prevent the growth of fungus, water in the morning rather than at dusk. Water slowly and deep soak to get moisture to the roots where it does the most good.
7. Plant drought resistant trees and plants and mulch around trees and plants to retain moisture.
8. Use a broom, not a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
9. Wash your car with a bucket of water. Use the hose only to rinse.
10. Check for leaks in hoses.
11. Use your automatic dishwasher for full loads only and scrap dishes clean to limit pre-rinse.
12. Use your washing machine for full loads only.
13. Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of leaving water run to get it cold or add ice.
14. If you wash dishes by hand do not leave the water running. Soak really dirty pans or dishes to speed washing.
15. Check pipes for leaks.
16. Cover pools and spas to reduce evaporation. Avoid overflows and splashes by reducing water levels.
17. If purchasing a new dishwasher or washing machine choose wisely. Find one that conserves water and has suds saver attachments. Look for the ENERGY STAR.

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Water Rate Schedule

ELMA WATER DEPARTMENT WATER RATES

Approved by Elma Town Board effective January 1, 2023

Water Payment Information

Your bill is based on actual water usage. If you have a meter in your home it is necessary for you to read the meter reading cards sent to you in a timely matter and return them to the water department by the 16th of the month in which they are received. Your bill will be issued the beginning of the following month. Failure to read your meter may cause you to be over or under billed and not allow us to notify you of a leak when we notice a change in consumption.

To assure timely and accurate payment, please provide the water department with the larger stub (the one with the barcode on it) with your payment and write your account number on your check.

Bills can be paid by check or cash during normal business hours at Elma Town Hall, 1600 Bowen Road in the Building Department, or left in the payment slot at 5730 Seneca Street in our door 24-7 if paid by check (No cash please), or left in the drop box at Town Hall on the outside of the building to the right of the front entrance.
Payments can be mailed to 1600 Bowen Road or paid at Cy's Pharmacy.

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Water Line Specifications 280-A

Re: Water line specifications for subdivisions including 280A developments
Adopted by the Elma Town Board-November 6, 2002

The Elma Water Department uniform specifications for anyone installing a water main that would be turned over to the town must meet the following

1. Fill out a public improvement permit. This permit would cover the cost of review of the on site inspections of water lines, including a pressure test of 170 psi for two hours and bacteriological sampling, installation of water mains, taps and services.
2. The cost of the public improvement permit shall be $250.00 per lot plus $40.00 per hour for 1 inspector and truck. No water mains or services shall be installed without inspector present on the job site.
Note: Developer shall pay for all water used to fill new main, flush new main, and test new main.
3. Water main should be placed 5 to 8 feet parallel to edge of pavement under seed lawns only. Note: Minimum pipe cover shall be 4.5 feet for water mains.
4. Water mains should only cross pavement at right angles.
5. Electric, gas, telephone and cable TV should be placed on the other side of the road.
6. A new water main must have detection tape placed directly over main 16 inch over main.

A. Water mains shall conform in all respects to AWWA standard C-900 SDR 18 for PVC water mains including stone bedding and back filling.
B. Water mains should be 8 inch diameter minimum and where possible not become a dead end. If a dead end occurs a 2-inch permanent blow off shall be installed.
C. Tapping sleeves shall be Mueller tapping sleeves on 6 inch to 10-inch mains. A complete rap around tapping sleeve with mechanically attached end sleeves with gasket shall be used.
Note C.1 Casing requirements
Casings shall be used in tunneling, boring, and jacking installations and shall be adequately sized to permit the installation of skids and hold down straps. A steel encasing pipe shall be designed in accordance with AWWA C202 standard. A carrier pipe size of 8 inch shall require and 18 inch encasing pipe. The encasing pipe shall have the ends blocked off after carrier pipe has been installed and filled with pea stone or flowable fill.

D. and shall be equipped with a 4 -+ inch 2 piece valve box with lid and set at finished grade. Guard valves shall be bolted direct to tee (flange to flange). Line valve spacing shall be at 1000 feet intervals maximum distance.
E. Fire Hydrants should be Mueller Centurion 200 or Kennedy K81 only 5 -+ barrel with 1 -+ pentagon operation nuts that close right equipped with a 4 -+ inch steamer and two 2 -+ inch nozzle connections National Fire hose thread. Fire Hydrants shall be dry barrel with drain valve plugged hydrant must have traffic break flange and be set at finished grade
Note E.1 Hydrants should be spaced every 500 feet and in line with property lines between adjoining property owners where possible. Hydrant branches shall be both restrained and blocked.
F. Service lines shall be a minimum 1 inch in size using a brass double strap Mueller service saddle K copper Mueller full port ball corporation valves with AWWA threads and compression nut. The curb stop shall be Mueller full port ball curb stop quarter turn check with compression nuts. Service box shall be 5 foot at full extension and retract to 48 inches. Each service box shall have a 30 inch stainless steel service rod attached to the curb stop with a brass cotter pin
G. Blow offs at end of main shall be 2 inch in size and shall be constructed using a mechanical joint tee with the blow off constructed off the center joint turned downward using a 2 inch Mueller Corp with a quarter bend connection 2 inch K copper to a 2 inch Mueller full port curb stop. A 2 inch K Copper line shall raise to 1 foot above finished grade. A Buffalo Box style curb box for 2 inch service shall be placed over curb stop for future use. A Buffalo Box style top section with cap shall be placed over copper to protect end. Blow offs will be required at selected low points should the vertical profile drop of more than 5 feet.
H. Air release stations shall be installed at the highest point of the water main using a Mueller service saddle 1-inch AWWA Corp 1G¦Ñ Mueller curb stop service box and K Copper extending six inches above finished grade.
I. Vertical & horizontal clearance requirements: shall conform to the latest edition of the recommended standards for water works (ten state standards)
J. Thrust Restraint requirements: Water mains shall be restrained for the total static normal operating and surge (water hammer) pressures. Thrust restraint shall be achieved by either restrained joints tie rods, concrete thrust blocks or any combination there of.
Thrust Block sizing must be supported by subsurface investigations and calculations that define the bearing capacity of the soil at the location of the proposed thrust blocks.
K. Hydrostatic test and disinfection.
When completed and before the work is accepted, each section of pipe shall be flushed, tested and disinfected prior to connection to existing water lines.
Testing and disinfection shall be carried out with as few permanent made-up connections to the existing and proposed water system as possible and the size and location of each shall be submitted to the Water Superintendent for review. A backflow preventer of double check valve assembly shall be installed between each temporary connection to prevent the flow of water from the proposed system to the existing system.
Where connections to existing lines are called for, no connections will be allowed, prior to testing and disinfection. The connections will be made after the main line is tested and disinfected and satisfactory results have been achieved.
Testing at a minimum shall comply with the requirements of AWWA C-600, Section 4, Hydrostatic Testing, and as specified blow: (for conflicting requirements, if any, the more stringent shall apply)
Testing shall be carried out in an approved manner and shall consist of filling each section from valve to valve, or valve to bulkhead, or bulkhead to bulkhead, with water and maintaining a hydrostatic test pressure of 170 psi measured at the lowest point in the section, for a period of not less than six (6) hours. The leakage under this test shall not vary by more than (+ - 5 psi) for the duration of the test. All visible leaks shall be made tight in an approved manner. A defective pipe, fitting or special shall be repaired or removed and approved manner. A defective pipe, fitting or special shall be repaired or removed and replaced and the test shall be repeated until the conditions of allowable leakage are met.
L. Disinfection shall be performed in an approved manner in conformance with AWWA G¦úProcedure for Disinfecting Water MainsG¦Ñ, Designation C601, and shall be witnessed by the Water Superintendent unless otherwise approved. Before disinfection, the line shall be flushed with water to create a minimum velocity of 2-1/2 FPS. The chlorine concentration in the water used for disinfection shall be between 50 and 100 parts per million. The concentration shall be such as to produce at least 25 parts per million concentrates in the extremities of the main after at least a 24-hour retention period. Chlorine residual samples shall be taken at approximately 1000-foot intervals and at the beginning and end of each test section. While the chlorinated water is being added, all appurtenances on the main shall be operated so as to completely disinfect the new work. The operation shall be repeated as necessary to provide complete disinfection.
Upon completion of each disinfecting operation, the CONTRACTOR will be required to empty the contents of the pipe into a sewer or tank truck. In no instance will chlorinated testing or flushing water be emptied onto the roadways, in ditches, culverts or streams or wetlands.
After disinfection and final flushing, the CONTRACTOR shall take 2 bacteriological samples from sampling points at approximately 1000 foot intervals and at each end of the test section, (one immediately after final flushing and a second one after 24 hours) for testing by an approved laboratory in accordance with the latest Health Department
Requirements. Should safe results not occur after these 2 consecutive tests, the CONTRACTOR shall, at his expense, repeat the disinfection procedure until safe results are obtained.
M. A completed set of as builts on a scale of 1G¦Ñ=50G¦+ MylarG¦+s. Four copies shall be supplied.
N. Easement and Bill of Sale:
For mutual consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby grants to the TOWN OF ELMA with offices located at 1910 Bowen Road, Elma New York 14059, its successors and assigns, an easement, and the right, privilege and authority to place, re-place, construct, re-construct, relocate, operate, repair, maintain, inspect and at its pleasure, remove certain water lines and equipment pertinent thereto, in, upon, under and across the following described lands:
ALL THAT TRACT OR PARCEL OF LAND, situate in the Town of Elma, County of Erie and State of New York being part of the site plan and utility plan with the right of ingress and egress thereto; with a minimum distance of 10G¦+ on each side of, and beyond the shut off box and 10G¦+ on each side of, and beyond, the blow off box being included in such easement; said total portion of lands covered by this easement being as shown on these attached plans.
The Grantor hereby agrees that no permanent structure, including, but not limited to, sidewalks and driveways, may be built within this permanent easement; and the Grantor agrees herein to transfer all right, title and interest of Grantor and the improvements now situated, in the easement, including without limitation, all pipes, valves and each and every other item of equipment as set forth on the attached plans and filed drawings submitted to the town; and
The Grantor agrees herein to grant to the Town of Elma with free ingress and egress over the easement and other lands of Grantor for all of the above purposes and the right now, and from time to time, to trim, cut, burn, treat and/or remove by manual, mechanical and chemical means, trees, roots, brush, structures and other obstructions within said easement.
The Grantor agrees herein that the liability of the Town of Elma in the performance of any or all the above purposes and the exercise of its rights under this instrument shall be re-grade and re-seed those areas disturbed/damaged as a result of the TownG¦+s actions; and
It is mutually agreed by the Grantor and the Town of Elma that the Grantor has the right to cultivate the ground and the right to cross and re-cross said easement provided that such use of said ground shall not interfere with, obstruct or endanger any rights granted as aforesaid and shall not disturb the grade of said ground as it now exists, and provided that no structure shall be erected, no trees shall be grown, cultivated or harvested, and no excavating, mining or blasting shall be undertaken within the limits of the easement without the written consent of the Grantee.
This instrument shall be binding on and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.


BILL OF SALE

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS

THAT, ______________________________, (hereinafter referred to as Grantor), for and in consideration of the sum of ONE AND NO MORE ($1.00 AND NO MORE) DOLLARS, lawful money of the United States, to it in hand paid, at or before the ensealing and delivery of these presents by the TOWN OF ELMA, of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, has bargained and sold, and by these presents does grant and convey unto the said party of the second part, its successors and assigns the following water line items located at the ________________________Town of Elma, New York:

All pipes valves and each and every other item of equipment situated, or, hereinafter situated, in the easement contemporaneously entered into between Grantor and the Town of Elma, incorporated in this Agreement by reference, and as set forth on the attached plans and filed drawings submitted by the Grantor.

This equipment shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

~ _________ LF of 8G¦Ñ PVC Water Line
~ _________ 5 -+G¦Ñ Fire Hydrant
~ _________ 2G¦Ñ Permanent Blow-Off
~ _________ 8G¦Ñ x 8G¦Ñ Tapping Sleeve and Valve
~ _________ 1G¦Ñ House Service Connections

Water Troubleshooting Hints

Yellow colored water: Usually caused by a disruption in water system caused by a break or flushing the system. Water rerouted through different mains can cause water to pick up natural minerals that are in water. Water is safe to drink and should clear up in two days, if not call the water department. Try running the cold water only for about 10 to 15 minutes just at one faucet. When the cold water no longer looks dirty turn on the hot water and run it until the water is clear.(By not running the hot water until the cold water is clean, you'll keep discolored water out of the hot water tank.

Milky colored water: This is air in the water. To remove air from line, try running a faucet at the highest location in the house for about 15 minutes. If caused by a break in the system it should clear up in about two days, if not call the water department.

White particles clogging faucets: This may be the result of the filler tubes in some hot water heaters breaking down. It's most likely to happen with water heaters manufactured between 1993 and 1996. The plastic in the filler tubes sometimes breaks down into granules that look like powdered soap. According to the filler tube manufacturers, the problem has been solved. A replacement tube is available for about $5.00 and can easily be installed by a plumber or handy homeowner.

Low water pressure at one faucet: Check to see if filter screen is plugged. You can unscrew the screen and clean it

Low water pressure at more than one faucet: Check to see if shutoff valve if open all the way. This is located before the meter

Your pressure regulator may not be working properly. You will need to have a plumber test and replace the valve.

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Water Health Reports

We are pleased to report the Elma Water Department's water system operated under NO VARIANCE OE EXEMPTION from any federal or state regulatory requirement whatsoever. In addition there were NO VIOLATIONS of the National Drinking Regulations in 2007.

In 2005 the Elma Water Department concluded a Lead and Copper survey and had NO sample over the 90th percentile value. This survey was taken thorough out the town with over 30 samples taken. Infants and young children are typically more vulnerable to lead in drinking water than the general population. It is possible that the lead levels at your home may be higher than that at other homes in the community as a result of materials used in your home's plumbing. If you are concerned about elevated lead levels in your homeG's water you may wish to have your water tested and flush you tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using tap water. Additional information is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791)

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Water History

The town of Elma is a very pleasant growing community located in Erie County about twelve miles from the City of Buffalo. It covers an area of thirty-six miles of gentle hills and woods. Having no village within its boundaries it is wholly governed by a town board, thus eliminating all of the duplicities of governmental agencies common to many towns in New York State.

In 1963, through the untiring effort of our late Supervisor Merle E Reuther, the townspeople overwhelmingly voted in favor of forming a water district encompassing 85% of the Town's area. The cost was approximately five million dollars and meant starting from scratch. The entire town was on individual wells and many were unreliable, others sulphurous or salty. We had to rely on tank trucks for fire protection. Many people bought water to fill their cisterns and wells. It was not a good situation from any point of view.

Cherry, Preble, Conable and Sampson, Consulting Engineers from nearby Orchard Park designed the entire system. In 1966, it consisted of two pumping stations, each with a capacity of 4000 G.P,M and provisions for adding another 2000 G.P.M. without major pipe changes. Water is purchased from the Erie County Water Authority and is supplied from their 36-inch line, which runs along the west town line. The district was divided into three systems and none are interconnected.

Water was available to the first customer on November 2, 1964 and as construction continued and the approximate 95 miles of water lines were made available, more consumers were hooked up providing to over 1500 homes.

We do not employ any meter readers for we mail meter-reading cards to each customer with the request that the attached self-addressed postage paid card be returned in five days. Inasmuch as many homes are those of husband and wife both working and away all day, this has greatly reduced the number of estimated bills. We do, however, read all meters in pits.

Our public relations have been mostly enjoyable and being still a small district most of our customer contacts has been either by phone or a personal call. New customers are required to file an application in person which enables us to meet them personally and discuss their problems and explain the billing, rates, and other facets of our function. In the event of an interruption of service, advance notice is given each customer when such an interruption is planned; where the interruption is unplanned due to a break, whenever possible we notify as many customers as quickly as possible by either phone or personal call.

In the last forty years not much has changed except we now have increased pumping capacity of over 6000 G.P.M. at both pump stations. We now have over 4500 active accounts. The Town of Elma Water District is a water distribution system, with three (3) storage tanks, which have a storage capacity of two and a quarter million gallons, two pumping stations with 136 miles of water lines and 770 fire hydrants.

Our first water department superintendent, F. Harry Neidig, was hired in October 1964 and served till his retirement on January 31, 1982. Dennis Siebert held the position from February 1, 1982 until October 27, 1999. Our third and acting superintendent is Eugene F. Stevenson who accepted the position after Denny's retirement on October 28, 1999.

On September 24,1966 our office and pump station was dedicated in the memory of Merle E Reuther for his long hours to bring water to Elma. The Jamison Road pump station was dedicated on October 9, 1988 in the name of J. William Lexo the town supervisor form 1963 to 1987 for his dedication and untiring efforts to make the dream of a town wide water service a reality.

In 2003 the Elma Water District purchased 558,166,000 gallons of water from the Erie County Water Authority. The area we serve has a population of 11,400 people. Our gross operating revenue was 1,614,923.05 with an unaccounted loss of water of approximately 5 percent. Some examples of unaccounted loss of water are water used for fire fighting, fire training, water breaks, hydrant and water line flushing.

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