Visitors to our website often send questions having to do with the lake or issues pertaining to water quality. We have broken these questions out by category. If you do not see an answer to your questions please send your question to: ams71@cornell.edu

Drinking Water Quality

Lake Environment

Septic Systems

Drinking Water Quality Questions

Question:

I have a shallow well (16ft) and have noticed that during the winter, the walls of my shower become stained blue.  One of my neighbors (with a 100 ft well) has a similar problem, except her blue stains appear year round. What could cause this problem?

Answer:

Blue or blue-green stains around plumbing fixtures,  rust colored water, or stained dishes or laundry are typically signs of copper in the water.  (Some microorganisms do create a blue-green film, but it would be more of a scum that could easily be wiped off than a mineral sort of stain.) Copper in household water is usually due to its use in plumbing materials and the subsequent corrosion of copper pipes.  The degree of corrosivity depends primarily on the pH (acidity) of the water, but can also be a result of soft water, high residual chlorine levels, and long standing times in pipes. Also, hot water tends to dissolve more copper more quickly than cold water.  There can also be a greater risk of copper contamination from new pipes. Copper levels can decrease as a building/plumbing ages because, as time passes mineral deposits form a coating on the inside of the pipes- insulating the water from the copper. But during the first five years or so, before the coating forms, the water is in direct contact with the copper.

The differences seen between neighboring houses could possibly be contributed to differences in plumbing systems and well water (shallow vs deep well, pH, etc). Seasonal variation in pH could be caused by greater amounts of rain water, which tends to be acidic, falling during Fall and Spring and infiltrating well water.  More leaching of copper would occur when the water is acidic (a lower pH). A pH test of the water could determine the acidity level. While copper is an essential nutrient, too much copper can cause adverse health effects. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set a standard of 1.3 parts per million. The only way to be certain of the copper level in your water supply is to have it tested. For more information about treatment options for copper in drinking water, download a factsheet about copper (pdf 33 KB) .

Question:

My friend owns a home on one of the Finger Lakes and she gets her drinking water from the lake. Recently several friends have reported stomach distress after visiting, and she thinks it may be the water.

Can you tell me the best way to go about having the water tested as well as possible treatment options?

Answer:

Any water taken from the lake for a cottage or home should be treated and disinfected. The best bet is to filter the water then disinfect with chlorination or ultra violet light. Of course she could get it tested from the tap but it may be unreliable. One day it may show bacteria and another day it may not. With surface water bacteria levels may be variable depending on the weather, wildlife in the area, etc.

Visit the Cornell University Website for more information about drinking water treatment options.

Question:

I'd like to find out where I can get my well water tested?

Answer:

If you own a well and use the water for drinking you should test your water at least twice a year for bacteria. There are a number of certified laboratories in the area that can test water:

Onondaga County
Certified Environmental Labs 315-478-2374
1401 Erie Blvd East
Syracuse NY 13210

Life Science Laboratories 315-445-1105
5854 Butternut Drive
East Syracuse NY 13057

OBG Laboratories 315-437-0200
5000 Brittonfield Parkway
Syracuse NY 13221

Upstate Laboratories 315-437-0255
6034 Corporate Drive
East Syracuse NY 13057

Cayuga County

JLI Environmental Lab 315-253-4433
42 Washington Street
Auburn NY 13021

Cortland County

Buck Labs 607-753-3403
3845 Route 11S
PO Box 5150
Cortland NY 13045

Question:

I am planning to purchase an undeveloped lake front lot on Skaneateles Lake and build a small seasonal residence for my family. I would greatly appreciate any guidance regarding the use of lake water as well as the proper development of the land to ensure that Skaneateles Lake and the surrounding environment are protected.

Answer:

A majority of the 1000 lakeshore residents along Skaneateles Lake do take water from the lake. We suggest that anyone getting lake water for their drinking water supply have a system in place for filtering and disinfecting their water. The following web site has facts sheets on the typical water treatment devices on the market. Many people have a filter system and then a Ultraviolet light system in place at their residence.

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Lake Environment Questions

Question:

I am considering purchasing a vacation home on Skaneateles Lake and and trying to track the temperature at the upper layer of the lake's perimeter for swimming. I wonder if you could direct me to a source for this information.

Answer:

The local paper - the Skaneateles Press/Marcellus Observer - lists the temperatures for Skaneateles and Otisco Lakes on the second page. The temperatures in the summer of 2002 were around 72 degrees Fahrenheit and sometimes higher.

Question:

I am told that there is a study being done to introduce Acentria to Skaneateles Lake (an insect that eats Eurasian watermilfoil). Is this true?

Answer:

The aquatic moth Acentria ephemerella was first observed feeding on Eurasian watermilfoil plants in Cayuga Lake in 1991. Scientists at Cornell University have been studying them ever since. The insect has been credited with reducing the mass of this weedy, aggressive plant in the lake. There is some indication that the moth is in Skaneateles Lake feeding on milfoil plants. With the help of funding from US Congressman Walsh, scientists will be studying the impacts of this feeding on Skaneateles, Otisco, and Owasco Lakes in the summer of 2003. For more information about control options for Eurasian Watermilfoil, visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension Website, or the USDA Aquatic Species Web pages.

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Question:

I would appreciate your forwarding me any information pertaining to inline-filtration and/or chlorination for zebra mussel control.

Answer:

Because the zebra mussels need flowing water to survive they have found it beneficial to adhere to the inside of large intake pipes - such as those used by municipalities. The City of Syracuse has taken steps to prevent this from happening in their intake pipe.

Since they were discovered in Skaneateles Lake in the early 1990s we have had numerous calls asking what types of systems should people be putting in their pipes to prevent infestation. We do not know however the severity of this problem because we have not yet heard any complaints from people that they actually have had the mussels in their intake pipes or in the house. Indeed, a survey conducted on Seneca Lake a few years ago found that the most common complaint about zebra mussels was that they cut the feet - not that they are getting in the way of intake pipes. It may be that the household intake pipes are too small for the mussels to actually survive over time.

That said, many people have taken the precaution of putting in systems to prevent the mussels from attaching to the inside of their intake pipes. Some of these systems (chlorination/filtration) have the added benefit of drinking water protection. These systems would need to be installed by a plumber that is familiar with the technology on the lakes.

Question:

Can you direct me to locations of potable natural Onondaga County water springs for consumption?

Answer:

You would need to contact the Onondaga County Health Department for this information: 315-435-6600.

Question:

I have visited your beautiful area twice now and would like to find out more about how the Finger Lakes were formed and the geology of the area.

Answer:

Geologists explain the region's character as a result of two separate and different events: the Kansan and the Wisconsinan glaciers. The Kansan glacier flowed over the region about a million years ago and is considered to be responsible for the major changes in the landscape we see today. The Wisconsinan glacier, which withdrew 13,000 years ago, followed some of the same paths as the Kansan, but left behind rick deposits. The immense weight of the glaciers caused the depressions we see now that formed the Finger Lakes. The Valley Heads Moraine effectively dammed up the southward flow of streams creating Skaneateles, and most of the other Finger Lakes including Keuka, Canandaigua, Seneca, and Cayuga.

The best source of information about the Finger Lakes ecology and geology is in the book: "Lakes of New York" Vol I and II. New York Academic Press 1978. Bloomfield, Jay et. al.

Question:

We are planning construction and I am trying to find out what the mean high water level is for Skaneateles Lake.

Answer:

The highest storm event on record is Hurricane Agnes (1972). The lake level during this storm reached 865.2 ft. above sea level. The spillway at the northern end of the lake is at an elevation of 865.27 ft. and it is recommended that all critical elements of construction such as supporting members that are not designed to withstand wave action be constructed above the elevation of the spillway. Structures below the 865.27 ft. have a risk of being damaged during a runoff event. Based on a 48-year average of the first of the month readings, average minimum elevations are normally reached during the winter (December: 860.33 ft) with average maximum elevations typically reached in June (862.37 ft.).

Of course all construction needs a permit. Contact the City of Syracuse Water Department to verify lake elevation for the day of construction and to find out about where to get permits 315-685-6486.

Question:

I have noticed many, much more that past years, dead fish floating on the lake this month (June 2002). The bass and carp seem to be most affected. Do you know what is causing this?

Answer:

You were not the only one that contacted us this past summer about this situation. According to some of the fisheries experts at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation fish kills such as the one in the summer of 2002 are not un-natural. There are a number of theories behind why it happens: that summer was extremely warm very early and during the time when these fish are spawning. The stress brought on by spawning in addition to the heat may have left the fish more vulnerable to naturally occurring bacteria and other organisms that attack fish.

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Question:

I am planning to purchase an undeveloped lake front lot on Skaneateles Lake and build a small seasonal residence for my family. I would greatly appreciate any guidance regarding the use of lake water as well as the proper development of the land to ensure that Skaneateles Lake and the surrounding environment are protected.

We have two publications that may be helpful to you in terms of how you would landscape your property to protect water quality and prevent erosion. Finger Lakes Landscapes are the title of the series. I will send these to you if you would like. The key to protecting lake water quality is preventing sediment from getting to the lake during construction activities. You want to make sure that your contractor has the proper tools in place to prevent that from happening such as silt fencing that is working, mulching bare soil when the project is done and vegetation has not taken hold, and leaving as many trees as possible in place. After construction you want to landscape with shrubs and trees along the shoreline to prevent future erosion. Shrubs and trees have deep root systems that keep soil in place.

Question:

I was wondering if the City of Syracuse or the Water Board etc. rented any of the lakeside ares that are a part of the watershed on Skaneateles Lake. You see, Im trying to plan my wedding for Aug 31, and Im having a tough time finding a spot on the lake that is available. Do you have any suggestions?

The City of Syracuse does not own much land on the lake except in the south end and they do not rent it out. The Village owns a park in the north end of the lake and there are restrictions for using the park for weddings. Some people however do use the pavilion there for picture taking. Contact the Village office of Skaneateles to get more information: 315-685-3007

Question:

What is the correct pronunciation of Skaneateles ? Is it an Iriquois word ?
What does it mean? Thanks

It means Long Lake in Iroquois.
Visit the Skaneateles Chamber of Commerce Website for more information.

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Septic System Questions

Question:

I would appreciate your help in finding an alternate and approved method for wastewater treatment. We have a place on the lake that is a small lot and the system would be close to the tributaries and could be a contributor to lake pollution.

Answer:

The type of system you pick depends on the site conditions (depth os soil, percolation rates, etc.) Any system you install needs a permit and approval by the City of Syracuse Department of Water and the respective County Health Department. Contact the water department at the Skaneateles office at 315-685-6486. The Small Flows Clearinghouse is a good source of information about alternative systems that are currently on the market. Visit their website to download factsheets with more information.

Question:

Could you direct me to the repository of where plans of existing septic systems of seasonal dwellings along the lakeshore of Skaneateles Lake in Cayuga County may be?

Answer:

The City of Syracuse Department of Water should have this information. They have had a watershed inspection program for one hundred years on the lake. To contact them, call 315-685-6486. Another source of information may be the Cayuga County Health Department 315-253-1405.

Question:

I am looking for a list of engineers who can lay out the tank and leach fields for my system in the town of Niles.

Answer:

Contact the City of Syracuse Department of Water at 315-685-6486 or the Cayuga County Health Department at 315-253-1405.

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