In response to the press release confirming the presence of radium in the groundwater near the Bethpage High School and Central Boulevard Elementary School, we would like everyone within our District to know that the ground water is not the same as the drinking water. All of the sources of Bethpage Water District wells are consistently monitored for radium and other plume contaminants and the water continues to be safe to drink, cook with, bathe and use. While the results are a cause for concern and more investigation needs to be done, it has absolutely no bearing on the Drinking water supplied by Bethpage Water DIstrict.
What is the difference between Ground water and Drinking water?
Ground water is the raw water that is naturally present in the aquifers under the surface of the ground. The depth of the water can range from as little as a few feet to several hundred feet. It is the source from which all water suppliers on Long Island get their water.
Drinking water is the finished product that arrives at your tap every day. Some water suppliers, including Bethpage Water District, use filtration systems to clean the water and ensure that any contaminants, naturally occurring or otherwise, are removed and that the water meets all government standards.
Many news outlets interchange these two terms when, in fact, they could not be more different from each other.