What does the planet do with electronic waste? It’s a perplexing problem that is reaching unfathomed proportions. Certainly we need the electronic products…everything from computers to keyboards to printers, etc., but when they’re outmoded or no longer wanted, where do they go? What do we do with them?  Often they go into landfills and pose environmental threats by putting dangerous elements into the landfill that future generations will have to deal with. That does not bode well and must be dealt with.

A recent NSWCA meeting hosted by Greenlawn Water District Commissioners John McLaughlin, Bill Wieck and Jim Logan featured guest speaker and environmental recycling authority Mr. Philip Fava.  Mr. Fava is President and CEO of eGreen Recycling Management (Coram, NY) http://egreenrecyclingmanagement.com and former Co-Chair of NY Chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).  In stressing the importance of recycling he stated, “Our society produces incomprehensible amounts of recyclable waste, from ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal to plastic scrap, cardboard and paper, and precious metals. What happens to universal waste like batteries, light bulbs or e-waste such as computers, scanners and printers when they are no longer wanted? We must account for and recycle it all.”

Mr. Fava also zeroed in on electronic e-waste. “The importance of erasing hard drives securely and completely to remove all data from storage devices can’t be understated.” He noted that eGreen Recycling “provides detailed reporting of erasure and auditable, verifiable assurance that all data was sanitized in compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and all other existing standards”. The meeting concluded with a lively question and  answer session.

L to R:  Andrew Bader, Ray Averna, Philip Fava of eWasteRecycling, Vin Abbatiello, Bill Schuckmann.

The NSWCA was well represented at  the March 10 2017 Long Island Legislative Breakfast  with virtually all Districts attending despite the snow fall.  Stan Carey, Chairman LIWC and Massapequa WD Superintendent  provided welcoming remarks to the group, and Paul Granger Legislative Committee Co-Chair LIWC and Port Washington WD Superintendent provided Legislative Remarks.

The Keynote Address was delivered by NYS Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker and Carrie Meek Gallagher NYS Department of of Environmental Conservation made an informative presentation to the assemblage.

NSWCA President Andrew Bader, Water Commissioner of the Plainview WD, provided closing remarks.

 The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association began a six-part Special Training Series with an initial session on Water Commissioner Management. Municipal law expert Michael F. Ingham, Esq. of Carman, Callahan & Ingham LLP (Farmingdale, NY) addressed the audience on the topic. Forthcoming training sessions are scheduled throughout 2017 and include:

• Financial Administration
• Code of Ethic/Conflicts of Interest
• Freedom Of Information (FOIL) /Open Meetings Law
• NYS Prevailing Wage Overview & Wicks Law
• Election Law and Miscellaneous Administrative Items

Left to right:  William Schuckmann NSWCA Secretary (Hicksville WD); 2nd Vice President Michael F. Rich (Oyster Bay WD); President Andrew Bader (Plainview WD); Guest speaker Michael F. Ingham, Esquire; 1st Vice President Vincent Abbatiello (Westbury WD).

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting hosted by Jericho Water District Commissioners Anthony J. Cincotta, Thomas A. Abbate, James Asmus and District Superintendent Peter F. Logan, guest speaker Mr. Andrew McLoughlin from Mueller Co. presented a program on water quality sampling from dedicated sample points in distribution networks.  This was followed by a question and answer period. Commissioners from the 21 water districts that comprise the NSWCA were in attendance.

Left To Right, Jericho Water District Superintendent Peter F. Logan, Jericho Water District Commissioners Thomas A. Abbate, Anthony J. Cincotta and James Asmus.

Mr. McLoughlin advanced the benefits of using a dedicated sampling point for collection of water quality samples, including a higher degree of control, ease of collection, lower risk of recording a positive sample, and getting a sample that is a true representation of water quality. He discussed aspects of warm and cold climate sample stations and delved into internal construction, including use of low lead brass and stainless steel, freeze protection and locking enclosure options.  “Our models are built of durable construction designed for all climates, thus preserving the integrity of sampling environments,” McLoughlin stated. “Mueller is dedicated  to achieving the highest standards of quality and safety for all Mueller products  when it comes to our drinking water.”  

“I thank Mr. McLoughlin for his very informative, in-depth presentation,” Andrew N. Bader, President of the NSWCA and Plainview Water Commissioner said. “As stewards of the water supply and protects of our sole source aquifer  here on Long Island, NSWCA members are always eager to learn about new and innovative ideas as part of our ongoing Water Conservation and Sustainability Educational Series.”

Williston Park, NY USA…………… An in-depth Insurance discussion ruled the evening in an NSWCA meeting hosted by Garden City Park Water District Commissioners Kenneth Borchers, Peter Chimenti and Chris Engel. Guest speaker Mr. Ray Florio, representing Allstate Benefits, educated the assembly on advancements in voluntary benefits and disability benefits.  Mr. Florio also discussed the latest changes and features in other topics typically of interest to Districts, such as  accident coverage, group critical illness and universal life coverage. An extended question and answer period followed the presentation.

Guest Speaker Scott Harrigan, Harkin Aerial, Inc. educated NSWCA commissioners on new technology applications that are being widely used within the water industry. Fitted with cameras, the drones enable photography of hard to reach places including steel water tank exteriors and interiors.

Thermal imaging cameras can accurately detect leaks on pipes that are otherwise extremely difficult to see as well as underground structures, wastewater collectors, etc.  The presentation included detailed information on GPS enabled drones, ground surveying, inspections, photo and video capabilities and 3D models. Regulated by the FAA drones must be operated by a pilot when used for hire, and can operate in winds up to 40 MPH.

The Long Island Commission For Aquifer Protection (LICAP) recently held open public hearings and an NSWCA  delegation  was present totestified. The purpose of the hearing was to collect public input on protecting Long Island’s sole source aquifer and the LICAP’s draft State of the Aquifer report.

The NSWCA delegation was led by Karl M. Schweitzer (Commissioner Hicksville Water District), Thomas P. Hand, (Water Commissioner of the Massapequa Water District), and Vincent Abbatiello, Water Commissioner of the Westbury Water and Fire District.

Commissioner Schweitzer commented that the pre-eminent concern should be the clean up of toxic plumes, which “has dragged on for decades to the disadvantage of local suppliers who are all too often left to cope with circumstances that they did not create. The stakes are of the highest order. There is no margin for error and no excuse for prolonging an intolerable situation.”

L to R: Raymond J. Averna; Thomas P. Hand; Karl Schweitzer; Vincent Abbatiello.

“The sources of the toxic plumes are well known,” Commissioner Hand later added. “Since a core principle of our NSWCA mission is to provide a sustainable resource and to ensure the protection and efficient management of Long Island’s natural aquifer groundwater supply, LICAP must give toxic plumes the highest priority.”

Commissioner Schweitzer further testified, “The NSWCA is opposed to increasing bureaucracy and the formation of any aquifer management agency or water compact. Creating yet another agency, management board or water compact, merely further crowds an already overcrowded field, and makes effective action more difficult to achieve.”

“Since the NYSDEC is empowered with managing and regulating Long Island’s water,” Schweitzer added, “we believe that it is imperative that proper professional staffing be restored or additional staff added so that the NYSDEC can properly fulfill their mission.”

Commissioner Abbatiello further observed that the delegation also made additional recommendations for combatting nitrates, saltwater intrusion, and conducting a professional review of regulations to keep road salt out of shallow wells.

In commenting on the LICAP testimony, NSWCA President and Massapequa Water Commissioner Raymond Averna noted, “There is a great effort underway to understand, appreciate and manage our aquifer system. For sustainability, the NSWCA believes that professional action, stemming from a plan based on scientific fact, is the key to a non-political solution for all the communities that constitute Nassau and Suffolk counties.”

The recent LIWC Drinking Water Symposium was held at Carlyle On The Green  in Farmingdale and NSWCA members were well represented.  Port Washington Water District Commissioner Mindy Germain was part of a panel discussion entitled “50 Years Into The Future of Long Island’s Drinking Water” moderated by Stan Carey, Superintendent of the Massapequa Water District.

Commissioners and superintendents also enjoyed a panel discussion on “Water Conservation:  What Long Island is Doing Right Now”. Ably moderated by Port Washington Superintendent Paul Granger, panelists included Carrie Gallagher Director Region 1 NYSDEC,  John Masterson, USGS representative and Janice Whitney, EPA representative.

See gallery for more photos.