POUGHKEEPSIE – The sodium levels in the treated water from the Hudson River are greater than 50 milligrams per liter and that is double the normal amount of 15 to 25 mg/l, the Poughkeepsie Joint Water Board reported.
The culprit, the board said, is reduced Hudson River flows due to the current drought.
If the sodium level exceeds 100 mg/l, the water board said it would issue a second advisory, but it said customers with health conditions that necessitate reduced sodium intake are advised to seek alternative low sodium bottled water for their drinking water until further notice.
For most customers, this small increase in sodium levels will not have an adverse effect and the water is safe to drink, the water board notice stated, advising customers if they have a concern, they should contact their doctor.
The advisory from the State Health Department stated: “Water containing more than 20 mg/l of sodium should not be used for drinking by people on severely restricted sodium diets. Water containing more than 270 mg/l of sodium should not be used for drinking by people on moderately restricted sodium diets.