The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) hosted its annual Summer Networking Meeting and BBQ on September 15 at Hicksville Fire Department Station 3. Member Commissioners gathered with local and state elected officials, water superintendents and business managers to share insights on emerging trends, challenges, and priorities in safeguarding Long Island’s water supply. Guest speakers included Councilman Thomas P. Hand, Legislator Rose Walker, Senator Steven D. Rhoads, Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages, as well as Town of Oyster Bay Commissioner of Public Works Richard Lenz and Deputy Supervisor Greg Garman. The session emphasized collaboration and continued partnership to ensure clean, reliable drinking water for future generations.

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At its June meeting, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association hosted a presentation on Water District Safety Considerations led by Bill Geerlings from Employee Priority Safety.

Mr. Geerlings highlighted key safety measures and considerations that all water service providers are required to monitor in order to meet all standards set forth by the Public Employee Safety and Health (PESH) Bureau. This included a review of the legal and ethical duties of an employer, as well as review of key regulations and the importance of having an evacuation plan.

“We can never be too safe,” said NSWCA President and Massapequa Water District Commissioner Michael Mazzola. “These reminders and a review of critical regulations from Mr. Geerlings are always important.”

At a recent meeting and training session, the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association hosted a presentation on Emerging Contaminants, UCMR5 and UCMR6 and new laws and regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The presentation was led by H2M architects + engineers’ Senior Water Resources Engineer Paul J. Ponturo, P.E.

“Following the EPA’s announcement of an extension on the PFOA/PFAS requirements, all of our local water service providers want to be prepared and take a proactive approach to any emerging contaminants and potential mandates,” said NSWCA President and Massapequa Water District Commissioner Michael Mazzola. “It’s important for us to plan ahead, and so we welcome these presentations regularly as they help us to stay informed and be prepared for the unexpected.”

Mr. Ponturo’s presentation focused on emerging and unregulated contaminants, such as UCMR5 and UCMR6, how water service providers can monitor for unregulated contaminants, and the next steps in science and technology to meet the potential future demands for administering safe drinking water.

At its April 21 meeting, Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association hosted a presentation on GIS for Water Suppliers by Christopher Kobos, Director of GIS Services for H2M Architects and Engineers. Mr. Kobos shared how Geographic Information Systems can provide a number of benefits and efficiencies for water districts, including improving customer service, increasing productivity, supporting regulatory compliance, providing better record keeping, and visualizing trends in complex information.

“Streamlining district operations is always important, and the response to this presentation was overwhelmingly beneficial to our members,” said NSWCA President Michael Mazzola. “Some members were able to share their own experiences utilizing the system, and others were able to ask specific questions on its benefits and implementation. We thank Mr. Kobos for his time.”

It is with great sadness that we share that Glenwood Water District Commissioner Peter A. Hesse passed away on Feb. 3, 2025.

Peter has been Commissioner with Glenwood Water District since 1969. Living right next door to the water district, a neighbor asked him if he was interested in becoming a commissioner … Peter garnered the required signatures and served ever since. During that time, he was a wealth of knowledge for all – knowing about any main breaks, water services, valves, hydrant issues and much more.  He helped everyone and was loved by all.

Throughout his career, Peter worked at LILCO, working his way up the ranks to a managerial position and retiring approximately 20+ years ago. Peter also worked as the Village Clerk at The Village of Sea Cliff for approximately six years. He was also an Honorary Member of The Glenwood Fire Department.

Peter passed away a day shy of his 83rd birthday. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, their three daughters Robin, Barbara and Tarra, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

NSWCA Hosts ‘Lead/Copper Ruling Compliance Forum’ Presented by D&B Engineers and Architects

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) recently hosted a Lead/Copper Ruling Compliance Forum regarding the latest ruling issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). A thorough presentation was made by subject matter expert Anthony Eagan, P.E. of D&B Engineers and Architects, which included a step-by-step process of how water service suppliers such as the 21 Commission-Elected Districts must comply with the latest ruling from the national agency.

During the past few months, residents and commercial owners across Long Island may have received a letter from their local water service provider indicating if the water lines located in their homes or businesses are made of lead, galvanized steel, or non-lead materials. A national ruling was issued by the EPA for all water service providers across the country to take full inventory of water service lines in an effort to remove any possible lead from drinking water. The extensive EPA ruling overview delivered by Mr. Eagan included guidance, direction, and recommendations for Districts to prepare and deliver communications to customers of the inventory that was taken during a mandated three-year period.

“All of our member Districts are committed to supplying clean water that meets or exceeds all local, state, and federal guidelines for safe drinking water. Mr. Eagan did a tremendous job breaking down what’s necessary for water service providers such as ourselves to communicate this important information to our respective customers,” commented NSWCA President and South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner Ralph Atoria. “We are thankful to Mr. Eagan for sharing his expertise and guidance. I’m pleased to report that all 21 Commissioner-Elected Districts have complied with the latest ruling from the EPA, and each District will speak directly with its customers if lead service lines were identified in their homes, and the steps that need to be taken to change them out in the future.”

1st Vice President Michael E. Mazzola presented Commissioner Atoria the award.

At a recent meeting of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), the association elected a new board and board president to serve through 2025.

The newly elected 2025 NSWCA board includes President John F. Coumatos of the Bethpage Water District; 1^st Vice President Michael Mazzola of the Massapequa Water District; 2^nd Vice President Joseph Perry of the South Huntington Water District; Treasurer Michael J. Kosinski of the Roslyn Water District; and Secretary Scott Greco of the Bethpage Water District.

President Coumatos recognized 2024 NSWCA president and current South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner Ralph Atoria by stating, “As a long-standing member and true leader in the water industry, Commissioner Atoria has steered our 21-member districts in a positive direction throughout his board tenure. We’re grateful to have had Commissioner Atoria at the helm of our association, and we thank him for his service.”

Within a world of technological advancement, cyberattacks pose a legitimate risk, no matter the business or organization. At a recent meeting of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) the Commissioners received an overview and sat through a training on the state of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure from Overview Technology Solutions.

The 21 commissioner-elected Districts go through routine trainings to stay up to date on all matters related to water. Water service providers are responsible not only to deliver drinking water that meets all local, state and federal standards, but to safeguard its technology, internal systems and consumer information from potential cyberattacks.

Marc P. Menzies, CISSP, President and Chief Technology Officer from Overview Technology Solutions, reviewed current events and potential threats to water districts with the commissioners, and reinforced the importance of training and having an incident response plan in place.

“All water districts utilizing many forms of technology, as well as web- and app-based programs, and cybersecurity is always a top concern for each District. Information like this is invaluable and we’ll continue to be ahead of the bad actors and protect our technology infrastructure,” commented NSWCA President and South Farmingdale Water District Commissioner Ralph Atoria. “We take pride in bringing proactive guidance to our membership and we are thankful to Mr. Menzies for sharing his expertise.”