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Nassau County Fire Commission and NSWCA Hold Water Supplier Meeting

Essential Service Providers Work Harmoniously to Continue to Protect Local Consumers Water Supply and Delivery a Steady Flow of Water to Fire Fires

For over a century, fire districts and water districts have worked synergistically in providing essential services to Long Islanders. If water pressure and flow is not maintained to the highest level at all times, it would compromise firefighters’ ability to hook up to fire hydrants and fight fires. Communications between member water districts of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) and local fire districts is imperative, and the most recent meeting between these two essential service providers demonstrates a dedicated commitment to the community.

During a fall 2021 NSWCA meeting, hosted by Manhasset Lakeville Water District, a presentation was led by Francis X. DeBobes, Chairman, Nassau County Fire Commission. Chairman DeBobes discussed maximizing efficiencies between fire districts and water districts and commended the 21 member districts from Nassau and Suffolk Counties for providing the more than adequate amount of water pressure and flow needed from hydrants, especially during times when water district well sites are being retrofit to treat water from emerging compounds. The 30+ year decorated veteran also expressed the importance of having residents comply with backflow testing each year to avoid an undesirable flow of water back into a home or business.

(Pictured Left to Right) John Madden, Supervising Fire Marshal, Office of the Fire Marshal Nassau County; Andrew Schmitt, Jr., Division Supervisor, Office of the Fire Marshal Nassau County; Francis X. DeBobes, Chairman, Nassau County Fire Commission; Amanda R. Field, NSWCA Board President and John F. Coumatos, NSWCA 1st Vice President during a fall 2021 NSWCA and Nassau County Fire Commission meeting and presentation.

Discussions during the presentation included putting a plan together, collectively between the Nassau County Fire Commission and water suppliers to go after federal grants to provide proper funding to replace dated fire equipment and hydrants.

“Many residents may not know that most water suppliers are responsible for our fire hydrants within our neighborhoods and communities,” stated NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field. “Our member Districts test to ensure each hydrant holds line pressure without leaks, and we perform additional maintenance as recommended by the hydrant manufacturer. We flush our hydrants regularly so our heroic firefighters can rely on us to make sure when they connect to a hydrant, water flow will never be an issue.”

“A lot of education is being provided by water providers about their responsibilities to consumers and it’s something worth noting,” said Commissioner DeBobes. “Fire districts and water districts work hand in hand with one another and in many ways we rely on one another. A fact worth noting is response time from local water districts and local fire districts to an emergency situation can be within minutes…something we take to heart as residents rely on us each and every day.”

The Passing of Milta Scott

Dear Association Member:

The Albertson Water District regrets to announce the passing of Milta Scott, the mother of Albertson Water Commissioner Edward Scott . There will be no formal services, family only. A mass for the deceased will be held on 2/19/2022 at 1030 am at the Church of the Epiphany located at 375 2nd Ave NYC.

Please join me in extending our sincerest sympathy to the Scott Family.

Thank you
Comm Richard Ockovic AWD

NSWCA Recognizes Former Association Presidents William Schuckmann and Michael Rich

During the NSWCA summer in-person meeting, current President Amanda Field stood before a constituency of over 50 fellow water commissioners to recognize the outstanding contributions of former Presidents William Schuckmann and Michael Rich.  Commissioner Rich’s presidency passed along to Commissioner Schuckmann during a very challenging time – – the onset of the pandemic.  As part of the executive board, Commissioner Rich continued to work with Commissioner Schuckmann and fellow Commissioners in communicating to the general public about our water supply and what safety measures were being put in place due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Both men worked tirelessly to keep a consistent, steady message that the essential work of water suppliers continued throughout the pandemic, never missing a beat. While offices remained closed to the general public to protect the health and safety of staff and customers, water suppliers continued to work…adhering to the conditions and mandates of the state of emergency.  Commissioner Schuckmann and Commissioner Rich continued to communicate with fellow water suppliers and helped to make PPE available.

Thank you Bill and Mike!  We appreciate your dedication and commitment to the communities we serve.

Commissioner William Schuckmann (Hicksville Water District), NSWCA President Amanda Field (Plainview Water District) and Michael Rich (Oyster Bay Water District) pose during a presentation at the NSWCA summer in-person meeting. Commissioner Schuckmann and Commissioner Rich were each presented with a plaque of appreciation from President Field.

Securing Grants, Assisting Water Districts Throughout Nassau County

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) had a strong, in-person presence at the official announcement of funding procurement to assist water districts with infrastructural improvements.

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran explained that the $1.5 million in grants that originated with the American Rescue Plan will be put to good use “to ensure cleaner water for residents while preventing costs from being passed on to ratepayers.”

NSWCA President and Plainview Water Commissioner Amanda Field led the NSWCA delegation to this important announcement. President Field expressed the gratitude of the NSWCA to the county “for allocating funds from the American Rescue Plan towards emerging contaminants and water conservation. Every dollar counts towards offsetting the cost of designing and constructing treatment systems.”

Ms. Field continued, pointing out “As Water Commissioners representing 21 Voter-Elected Districts serving 620,000 consumers, we (NSWCA) have a fiduciary responsibility to protect our residents while delivering the highest quality water at the lowest possible rate. This grant program will greatly assist with that mission.”

Among the many prominent attendees were NSWCA members:

  • Bill Schuckmann, Water Commissioner Hicksville Water District and former NSWCA President
  • Andrew N. Bader, Water Commissioner Plainview Water District and President of the Long Island Water Conference
  • Marc B. Laykind, Water Commissioner Plainview Water District
  • Terri Black, Water Commissioner Bethpage Water District
  • John F. Coumatos, Water Commissioner Bethpage Water District
  • Scott Greco, Water Commissioner Bethpage Water District

Based on a story by Robert Pelaez, The Island Now:
https://theislandnow.com/great_neck/officials-secure-grants-for-water-districts-throughout-nassau-county/

Photos courtesy of Nassau County Executive’s Office

Officials, including NSWCA President and Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field (center) and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran (left of A. Field) announce the procurement of grants for water districts throughout Nassau County to assist with infrastructural improvements.

 

President Field on PFAS Action Act

NSWCA President and Plainview Water Commissioner Amanda Field commented in support of the PFAS Action Act of 2021. President Field echoed  Representative Kathleen Rice’s statement in observing that world leading treatment systems were being developed on Long Island and expressed gratitude for Rep. Rice’s support to reimburse proactive water providers.

For full release:Rice Provision to Reimburse Long Island Communities Included in House Passage of PFAS Action Act U

 

Hicksville WD Hits 100!

A century of service for Hicksville Water District.

For 100 years, the Hicksville Water District has proudly served the highest quality water to Hicksville residents. To help honor this monumental occasion, the District created an educational and fun resource to celebrate their history,  accomplishments and their overall role within the community.

While the faces and technology used to treat and deliver water  to the Hicksville community have changed over the years, the traditions of excellent service and a safe, reliable water supply remain the same.

The District also created a commemorative calendar with numerous  photographs from the District’s past 100 years including images of HWD staff, commissioners, superintendents, infrastructure and facilities. Please refer to the Hicksville Water District website at www.hicksvillewater.org.

Congratulations to the staff, commissioners and superintendent of Hicksville Water District on a job well done for 100 years!

 

Letter to the Editor, Newsday

The following is a response from former NSWCA President and current Long Island Water Conference Chairman and NSWCA Executive Board member Andrew Bader to a recent Newsday editorial of March 31, 2021.

Consolidating LI water providers? A bad idea.

The real problem isn’t the number of water suppliers in Nassau County, it is the pricing/taxing structure of one investor-owned water supplier (“Public fix for private water,” Editorial March31).  If the issues are resolved, the discussion of consolidation becomes null and void, as putting all water providers under one umbrella resolves nothing.

When has an all-encompassing Long Island utility proved it is more effective at providing service than a smaller one? Need we remind everyone of the failures of PSEG Long Island during Tropical Storm Isaias?

Consolidating water providers does not mean we need fewer water mains, wells or treatment facilities. There are little to no economies of scale in this regard. It also likely means the cost of water will go up for the majority of Long Islanders due to the significant debt burden. Why should the vast majority of residents who are happy with their water provider subsidize the cost for the buyout of another? What does the average resident gain?

Water is important, and consolidating control could be scary. The current structure provides accountability and responsiveness, things that can be lost with one overarching utility.

Andrew N. Bader, Plainview

Editor’s note:  The writer is Long Island Water Conference Chairman and  Executive Board member of Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioner’s Association.

R.I.P. Commissioner Edward A. Cetta Sr.

Former Greenlawn Water Commissioner Edward A. Cetta Sr. (1930 – 2021)  passed away on March 11th at the age of 90. Ed was a Greenlawn Water Commissioner from 1980 – 1985, a member of the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) as well as a member of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA).

Visitation will be held on March 21, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 2401 Southwest 64th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Funeral service will be held on March 21, 2021 at 12:00 P.M. at Forest Funeral Home. Committal Service will be held on March 21, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

 

New 2021 NSWCA Board

Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) Elects New 2021 Board

Plainview Water Commissioner Amanda Field named President

February 22, 2021, Carle Place, New York, USA…….At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) virtual meeting sponsored by the Port Washington Water District, the Association elected a new Board for the 2021 term, which runs through December 31, 2021.

The newly elected NSWCA 2021 Board includes incoming President Amanda Field of the Plainview Water District who succeeds outgoing President William Schuckmann of the Hicksville Water District; 1st Vice President John F. Coumatos of the Bethpage Water District; 2nd Vice President Patricia Peterson of the Locust Valley Water District; Secretary Joseph Perry of the South Huntington Water District; and Treasurer Michael J. Kosinski, Chairman of the Roslyn Water District.

 

“Our organization is composed entirely of commissioners elected by the voters of our 21 districts to represent their best interests in the compliance, conservation, safety and economics of water supply,” President Field stated. “Having faced a difficult 2020 including the rigors of the COVID-19 virus, summertime drought, as well as new treatment planning and implementation island-wide, our membership is poised to ensure another year of protecting and serving our island’s most vital resource with an uninterrupted water supply.”

President Field added “I believe that our new 2021 Board brings together a group of commissioners whose talents, years of experience and dedication to serving the public will foster a collaborative atmosphere that features science, education and a continued delivery of public information to our communities. We will continue to emphasize conservation and environmentalism for long term sustainability as a means to overcome production challenges, be compliant with our regulatory partners in government, and to protect the health of our sole source aquifer.”

Ground Penetrating Radar and Leak Detection

Carle Place NY, USA . . . A recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association Education Series meeting held remotely by teleconference focused on the topic of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and its numerous advantages for water suppliers. The New York Leak Detection (NYLD)  team based in Jamesville, New York, led by Zander Seaman made the presentation.

“GPR is a non-invasive imaging technology that uses high-frequency radio waves to detect subsurface objects”, stated Zander Seaman, Subsurface Consultant. “It is ideal for organizations seeking to avoid costly delays or damages that can occur when underground obstructions are unexpectedly encountered. GPR works by beaming high-frequency radio wave pulses into the ground and interpreting reflections received at the surface. The resulting images are similar to x-rays but without the risks of radiography. Field technicians interpret the images to determine the location and depth of utility installations, geologic formations and other objects in real time.”

 

 

In addition to the discussion on GPR and its use in locating underground structures, the NYLD presentation covered the theory of leak detection. Leak detection is the employment of advanced technologies to accurately locate a leak on a buried pipeline. The discussion included equipment employed in identifying and locating water leaks, the coordination effort between water department operators and the leak survey crews, and the advantages of system-wide leak detection surveys among other topics. The presentation was followed by a detailed Q&A session. New York Leak President Mike Goodfellow and Director of Operations Steve Darcangelo participated in the presentation and the lively Q&A session.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Ground Penetrating Radar is a tool that is finding great acceptance in many fields, especially in environmentally sensitive applications,” stated NSWCA President and Hicksville Water District Commissioner William Schuckmann. “For example, for water suppliers and others in the water industry, GPR can determine depth to bedrock or water tables and identify metallic and non-metallic pipelines, water mains, subterranean storage tanks and cable banks. I greatly appreciate the detailed presentation that the representatives of NYLD gave to our audience.

The meeting was hosted by Massapequa Water District, with former NSWCA President and current Massapequa Water District Commissioner Raymond Averna providing the history of the District.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About NYLD: Founded in the early 90’s, New York Leak Detection, Inc. is a Subsurface Utility Engineering firm specializing in leak detection, underground utility locating, subsurface piping video inspection and subsurface infrastructure asset management.  They have assisted numerous municipalities, utilities, construction companies and developers nationwide obtain the information they need to solve a variety of subsurface utility problems.  NYLD offers Utility Location, Utility Mapping, Leak Detection, Valve Exercising, Video Inspection and other services to help organizations reduce operating costs, improve efficiency and maintain infrastructure so that they may better service their customers.