Establishing a data center for unregulated freshwater springs

Throughout New York State there are dozens of documented and undocumented roadside springs that people use for drinking water. This project was inspired by a desire to understand the quality and safety of these springs for human consumption. For the past two years students at Ithaca College under the direction of Prof. Christopher Sinton have been analyzing several springs for bacteria, dissolved solids, and pesticide contamination. The most pressing concern is bacterial contamination, more specifically fecal coliform bacteria, as it can cause immediate health concerns and it can signal the presence of other micro-organisms. The purpose of the data provided on this site is to inform the public about the quality of the water they may or may not be drinking compared to the governmental standards for municipal water. Learn More!