Massapequa Water District Commissioner Raymond Averna Plays Instrumental Role in Selection Process for 2023 Nicholas J. Bartilucci Manhattan College Scholarship Awarded to Long Island/North Massapequa Resident

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), one of the region’s leading water supply authorities serving over 620,000 people across Long Island, has awarded its prestigious 2023 Nicholas J. Bartilucci Manhattan College Scholarship to Ms. Isabella Gluszak, a North Massapequa resident who lives within the South Farmingdale Water District. Given for performance excellence in the classroom, this annual scholarship is open to entering freshmen who live within a District of the NSWCA and are enrolled full-time in any engineering degree program at Manhattan College in Riverdale, Bronx, New York.

NSWCA President and Locust Valley Water District Chairperson Patricia Peterson commented, “The NSWCA Bartilucci Scholarship recognizes the enormous contributions made by the late Nicholas J. Bartilucci, a water industry leader who served as a Jericho Water District Commissioner for over 48 years. Nick’s dedication to water supply and environmental conservation as Water Commissioner and as President of D&B Engineers and Architects, was invaluable in elevating consciousness about Long Island’s long-term sustainability.”

Ms. Gluszak thanked members of the NSWCA, South Farmingdale Commissioners Ralph Atoria, John Hirt and Gary Brosnan, and former NSWCA President and current Massapequa Water District Commissioner Mr. Raymond Averna, who were instrumental in this year’s Bartilucci Award selection process. Commissioner Averna added, “Inspiring a younger generation of engineers like Isabella Gluszak through education creates an incredible impact and a path to success. We are happy to select Isabella as this year’s recipient of this commemorative award.”

“It has been wonderful to witness the aspirations I have had since childhood start to become a reality. This scholarship has made those goals much more attainable,” said Ms. Gluszak, who is currently studying mechanical engineering at Manhattan College, and aiming to work in the aerospace industry.

Pictured from L to R: Ray Averna, Massapequa Water District Commissioner; Melissa Gluszak; Isabella Gluszak; John Hirt and Ralph Atoria, South Farmingdale Water District Commissioners. Mr. Atoria serves as 1st Vice President of NSWCA.

The home to one of the world’s greatest aquifer systems, Long Island’s water has come under great scrutiny in recent years due to emerging contaminants. As stewards of the water served to over 620,000 people, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioner’s Association (NSWCA) member water districts have long been out front in the fight to safeguard Long Island’s water supply and sole source aquifer.

These emerging contaminants, sometimes referred to as ‘forever chemicals’, are in large part a pervasive legacy from Long Island’s industrial past, including WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Space Race that resulted in the United States becoming the first nation to put a man on the moon. Other emerging contaminants are byproducts of everyday household products such as non-stick kitchenware, food packaging and detergents, even paints, cleaning products and water-resistant clothing.

The presence of such contaminants is not limited to Long Island, this is a nationwide concern. New York State’s aggressive stance on emerging contaminants and definitive corrective actions began with the implementation of some of the country’s strictest regulations, and progress is being made.

NSWCA President Patricia Peterson stated, “Each of the NSWCA’s 21 member districts has different situations and different needs, but all emerging contaminants are being addressed with proper engineering, technology and filtration treatment systems. The single most significant fact for the public to understand is that all the water that goes into the distribution systems of all of our 21 NSWCA member districts meets or exceeds all local, New York State and federal MCL regulations, all of the time.”

The NSWCA member districts have been proactively involved in rectifying the problems even prior to the New York State mandates, standards and regulations. Given the advances in technology and the impetus from Albany, NSWCA member districts have constructed some of the most advanced water treatment systems in the country to ensure a plentiful supply of potable water.

“For example,” President Peterson commented, “Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) systems have been successfully designed, constructed and installed to remove 1,4-dioxane, and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration has proven to be the most effective means of removing PFOS and PFOA substances. Even with the presence of forever chemicals, it is far from a hopeless situation and much more of a hopeful situation. The science and technologies of today, as deployed by our 21 NSWCA member water districts, have proven to be effective remedies to yesterday’s legacies and they ensure the purity, potability and compliance of the water of tomorrow. Our commitment to safeguarding the future is unwavering.”

NSWCA Members ~

It is with sadness that we report that former Superintendent Richard “Woody” Woodwell has passed away. Arrangements are pending at this time.

Woody served the Hicksville Water District for over 50 years, starting in 1947 as a laborer at the height of the expansion of the Hicksville community. He worked his way through the ranks becoming a meter reader, water servicemen and water plant operator before serving as Hicksville Water District Superintendent from 1983 to 1998.

Woody was a Korean War veteran and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a member of the Long Island Water Conference and the American Water Works Association. Woody lived in Syosset and is survived by his son Justin.