Engineering Department

The Engineering Department is responsible for providing professional engineering services as requested by city administration. Technical services performed include civil engineering design and analysis, preparation of project specifications and contract documents for infrastructure projects, construction management, survey, site plan review, and preparation and maintenance of city records and maps. This office administers construction permits, evaluates and recommends architectural/engineering firm selections, and performs site plan review functions for City Planning Board. The department also assists the Department of Public Works in the daily operation of city infrastructure including:

• Water distribution system
• Sanitary sewer and city sewage pumping stations
• Storm sewer system
• Water Pollution Control Plant

Important Information about Lead in Your Drinking Water
The City of Poughkeepsie has recently determined that tap water in some homes within the City has begun to contain levels of lead above the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation of 15 parts per billion (ppb). We routinely sample for lead and copper in the drinking water supply. Currently, we are testing for lead in the water every six months. The last round of sampling was conducted between July and December 2007. The elevated levels of lead were detected during this most recent round of sampling.

Lead in drinking water does not come from the treatment plant. However, homes built before 1986 may contain lead solder in the pipes. Lead enters the water by corrosion, or wearing away, of lead in the service line and household plumbing.

Under State and Federal law, we are required to have a program in place to minimize lead in drinking water. This program includes corrosion control treatment, source water treatment, and public education, and is currently in progress. In addition, we are working closely with the Poughkeepsie Water Treatment Facility and County officials to address this issue and keep residents informed.

A brochure about this issue is being mailed to all water customers, and copies are available in the Adobe PDF format:

Frequently Asked Questions
Drinking Water Brochure - English
Agua Potable folleto - español

For more information about Poughkeepsie’s water, call 845-729-3945.  Other information about lead in drinking water can be found at:

New York State Health Department
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Report Illicit Discharges Into the City of Poughkeepsie’s Storm Water System

Hotline: (845) 451-4074 - All callers can remain anonymous

The illicit discharge detection and elimination program is designed to identify and eliminate any discharge into our storm sewers that is not comprised entirely of storm water. These discharges can contain high levels of toxic materials and pollutants including heavy metals, oil and grease, solvents, nutrients, pathogens, and raw sewage; they can have a great impact on water quality and ecosystem health in our surrounding water bodies. Illicit discharges enter the system through either direct connection via piping or indirect connections such as infiltration from failed sanitary systems or spills on roads that are collected by catch basins. People dumping waste oil, antifreeze, paint or other chemicals into a catch basin or stream are also major sources of illicit discharges.

Please call the above Hotline to report any suspicious activies.

City Engineering field personnel conduct routine testing of our stormwater system to detect and pinpoint the sources of illicit discharges and they depend on the public to report any possible sources of pollution to the City’s storm system and waters. If you know of an illicit discharge into the County’s storm water system, please call us at our IDDE Hotline.

MS4 Links:
www.dutchessswcd.org
www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8468.html
www.gardening.cornell.edu
www.epa.gov/weatherchannel

MS4 Annual Report (for year ending March 9, 2009)
MS4 Annual Report (.pdf)

Informational Brochures for Stormwater/Water Quality Issues (.pdf)
The Fall Kill Streamwalk: A Visual Assessment of the Fall Kill through its Watershed
Solutions to Water Pollution for the Landscaping and Lawn Care Industry
Preventing Stormwater Pollution - Tips for Homeowners
Preventing Stormwater Pollution - Tips for Businesses
Rain Gardens - Gardening with Water Quality in Mind
Health of the Casperkill

Office Hours and Location
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 4:30pm
City Hall - 62 Civic Center Plaza - 2nd Floor

Contact Information
Richard L. DuPilka, P.E.
City Engineer
Phone: (845) 451-4074
Fax: (845) 451-4101