Cornell Cooperative Extension

Tompkins County
water drops
Image by Luis Nunes Alberto

Water is critical to life.

Water Conservation & Quality

The day-to-day choices of residents and visitors help determine if precious water resources will be here for the enjoyment of current and future generations. 

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products are increasingly a concern as emerging water contaminants

Emerging Contaminants

Pharmaceuticals, personal care products and micro-plastics are found in local waters in very low concentrations. Should we be concerned?

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young boy drinking water from a glass. Used with permission of the father, Bill Foster.

Water Quality

Find consumer information about drinking water, home water treatment, wells, septic systems, bottled water, and other water quality issues here.

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Last updated September 18, 2023

Water Conservation & Quality

Flood Resiliency

Watch the video from the April 2015 Flood Resiliency workshop:


Agenda with workshop descriptions

Groundwater

Still photo from Groundwater animated film for use in sidebar with link to: http://www.leapingmedia.com/groundwater.html

Even in the water rich Finger Lakes, much of the water we depend on is underground. "Groundwater" is a fun animated film that reminds us to protect both our seen and unseen resources.

Events

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Cayuga Lake Modeling Project

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Cornell University and local water resource managers are partnering on a joint investigation of the sources and fate of phosphorus in Cayuga Lake. The investigation will bring together the University, public agencies engaged in water resources, and the watershed community in an effort to improve collective understanding of the lake. The water quality model developed will be an important tool for a science-based approach to managing Cayuga Lake over the coming decades. Learn more.