STERLING WATER STEWARDS
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Sterling Water Stewards is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization focused on protecting drinking water resources in the Town of Sterling and the Village of Fair Haven, NY. Donations are tax-deductible.
STERLING WATER STEWARDS RECOGNIZED AS "FRESHWATER HEROES"
Sterling Water Stewards was one of six grassroots groups and two individuals in the Great Lakes Region recognized by Freshwater Future in 2023 with a "Freshwater Heroes" award. "Sterling Water Stewards has sustained a people-powered fight against a threat to their public drinking water source--and won," the citation said. We were recognized for successfully working with the Village of Fair Haven and the Town of Sterling in 2022 to implement a Protectivie Overlay District in the Sterling zoning law that prohibits commercial bulk water extraction in the recharge area surrounding our public wellfield. The protective overlay also prohibits land uses that could threaten to contaminate or deplete the water supply. A developer had proposed to drill a well and build a water bottling plant on land he owns directly across the road from the public wells.
STERLING WATER STEWARDS RECOGNIZED AS "FRESHWATER HEROES"
Sterling Water Stewards was one of six grassroots groups and two individuals in the Great Lakes Region recognized by Freshwater Future in 2023 with a "Freshwater Heroes" award. "Sterling Water Stewards has sustained a people-powered fight against a threat to their public drinking water source--and won," the citation said. We were recognized for successfully working with the Village of Fair Haven and the Town of Sterling in 2022 to implement a Protectivie Overlay District in the Sterling zoning law that prohibits commercial bulk water extraction in the recharge area surrounding our public wellfield. The protective overlay also prohibits land uses that could threaten to contaminate or deplete the water supply. A developer had proposed to drill a well and build a water bottling plant on land he owns directly across the road from the public wells.
Shown above is the article in the "Freshwater Voices" newsletter announcing our "Freshwater Hero" award.
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We are currently focused on prevention and mitigation of point sources of pollution in the Town of Sterling.
Many residents of the Town of Sterling rely on private wells for drinking water. The chart above details some of the potential health effects from long-term exposure to chemicals that commonly contaminate drinking water. Private well owners generally are not required to test their wells, so the health risks can go undetected for years.
Sterling Water Stewards is actively working now to monitor the legal/regulatory status of major potential point sources of pollution in the Town of Sterling. We are also currently involved in gathering geologic information in Sterling Township to better understand the degree of contamination that may be already present in groundwater and surface water resources, and how best to protect our resource going forward. We continually encourage our local and state government agencies to do a better job of protecting the drinking water. We try to work in partnership with the local governments and state government agencies by providing resources and suggesting practical steps they can take to improve oversight.
Because so many residents of the Town of Sterling rely on wells, we also monitor the public water district projects in the Town of Sterling to encourage the availability of affordable public water.
Your voice is crucial to let public officials know that the you, their constituents, are paying attention and will hold them accountable for their actions.
Many residents of the Town of Sterling rely on private wells for drinking water. The chart above details some of the potential health effects from long-term exposure to chemicals that commonly contaminate drinking water. Private well owners generally are not required to test their wells, so the health risks can go undetected for years.
Sterling Water Stewards is actively working now to monitor the legal/regulatory status of major potential point sources of pollution in the Town of Sterling. We are also currently involved in gathering geologic information in Sterling Township to better understand the degree of contamination that may be already present in groundwater and surface water resources, and how best to protect our resource going forward. We continually encourage our local and state government agencies to do a better job of protecting the drinking water. We try to work in partnership with the local governments and state government agencies by providing resources and suggesting practical steps they can take to improve oversight.
Because so many residents of the Town of Sterling rely on wells, we also monitor the public water district projects in the Town of Sterling to encourage the availability of affordable public water.
Your voice is crucial to let public officials know that the you, their constituents, are paying attention and will hold them accountable for their actions.
Above, left: Visiting a Red Creek Middle School science class with our Watershed Model to teach kids about protecting aquifers and surface water; middle: Educating the Sterling Town Board on the need for a Wellhead Protection Overlay District to protect the Village wellfield; right: Booth at the Fair Haven 4th of July Craft Fair.
MISSION
To ensure a safe and abundant drinking water supply in the Village of Fair Haven and the Town of Sterling for future generations.
FUNDING
We are funded through local donations, and grants.
Our donors and supporters are crucial to our success. Public officials need to know their constituents are paying attention and will hold them accountable for the quality and quantity of their drinking water.
MISSION
To ensure a safe and abundant drinking water supply in the Village of Fair Haven and the Town of Sterling for future generations.
FUNDING
We are funded through local donations, and grants.
Our donors and supporters are crucial to our success. Public officials need to know their constituents are paying attention and will hold them accountable for the quality and quantity of their drinking water.
Above, left: When the battle to protect the Fair Haven wellfield first erupted, Sterling Town Board meetings were held in the highway garage because the crowds exceeded the capacity of the Town Hall; middle: Sterling Water Stewards lawn signs were everywhere in the summers of 2021 and 2022; right: Jon Fox, our hydrogeologist, doing field testing in Sterling in the summer of 2023.
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GOVERNANCE
Sterling Water Stewards is governed by a three-person volunteer Board of Directors:
Karen Haas, President
Joanne Hunt Piersma, Esq., Secretary
Dan Larson, Treasurer
HYDROGEOLOGY CONSULTANT
Jon Fox, P.G.
Fox Professional Geology, PLCC
ENVIRIONMENTAL ATTORNEY
Douglas Zamelis, Esq.
Cooperstown, NY
CONTACT
[email protected]
PO Box 427
Fair Haven, NY 13064
Sterling Water Stewards is governed by a three-person volunteer Board of Directors:
Karen Haas, President
Joanne Hunt Piersma, Esq., Secretary
Dan Larson, Treasurer
HYDROGEOLOGY CONSULTANT
Jon Fox, P.G.
Fox Professional Geology, PLCC
ENVIRIONMENTAL ATTORNEY
Douglas Zamelis, Esq.
Cooperstown, NY
CONTACT
[email protected]
PO Box 427
Fair Haven, NY 13064