Water Quality Complaints in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy MSA (Niskayuna Consolidated Water District)

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the New York Freedom of Information Law, I hereby request the following records:

I am requesting access to and copies of records related to water quality complaints and issues within the Albany, Schenectady, and Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) for the period from January 1, 2018, to the present.

Specifically, I am seeking the following information:

1) The total number of water quality complaints received by your agency/authority/utility, broken down by year.

2) A detailed summary of each water quality complaint, including:
2a. The date of the complaint
2b. The location (address or nearest cross streets) of the complaint
2c. The nature of the complaint (e.g., odor, taste, discoloration, contamination concerns)
2d. Any actions taken by your agency/authority/utility to address the complaint
2e. The resolution or current status of the complaint

3) Any reports, memos, or other documentation related to water quality complaints, investigations, and resolutions within the specified area and timeframe.

If any of this information is available in electronic format, I kindly request that you provide it via email. If physical copies are necessary, please inform me of any copying or postage fees in advance, and I will make arrangements for payment.

If any portion of this request is denied, please provide a detailed explanation for the denial and inform me of any appeal procedures available under New York State law.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Jackson Parker

Subject: FOIL Appeal for Denial of Access - Water Quality Complaints in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy MSA (Niskayuna Consolidated Water District)

Dear Records Access Officer,

I am writing to appeal the summary denial of access to records that I requested under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) on March 15, 2023. The request sought records related to water quality complaints and issues within the Albany, Schenectady, and Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) from January 1, 2018, to the present. I have not received a response, acknowledgment, or any communication from the Niskayuna Consolidated Water District regarding my request. Pursuant to FOIL, the agency is required to respond within five business days.

As a reminder, my original request sought the following information:

1) The total number of water quality complaints received by your agency/authority/utility, broken down by year.
2) A detailed summary of each water quality complaint, including the date, location, nature of the complaint, any actions taken, and the resolution or current status.
3) Any reports, memos, or other documentation related to water quality complaints, investigations, and resolutions within the specified area and timeframe.

I followed up on my original request with two subsequent emails on April 11, 2023, and April 26, 2023, requesting a response or an update on the status of my request. However, I have not received any acknowledgment or response from the Niskayuna Consolidated Water District.

The summary denial of access to the requested records is in violation of FOIL. I respectfully request that you reconsider my request and provide the requested records or a valid explanation for withholding them within ten business days, as required by FOIL.

If my appeal is denied, please provide a written explanation for the denial and inform me of any further appeal procedures available under New York State law.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to receiving your response.

Dear Records Access Officer,

I am writing to appeal the summary denial of access to records that I requested under the New York Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) on March 15, 2023. The request sought records related to water quality complaints and issues within the Albany, Schenectady, and Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) from January 1, 2018, to the present.

As of the date of this appeal, I have not received the requested records or a valid explanation for withholding them. While I appreciate the acknowledgment of my request on June 2, 2023, the agency has not provided a substantive response or the requested documents within the stipulated timeframe.

The summary denial of access to the requested records is in violation of FOIL. I respectfully request that you reconsider my request and provide the requested records or a valid explanation for withholding them within ten business days, as required by FOIL.

If my appeal is denied, please provide a written explanation for the denial and inform me of any further appeal procedures available under New York State law.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to receiving your response.