Category Archives: News

Honoring President Abbatiello

Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA  Honors Former President Vincent Abbatiello

 Franklin Square, NY, USA……………………….At a recent meeting of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) sponsored by Westbury Water District Commissioners Barry V. Green, William C. Olsen and Rodney Caines, honored former NSWCA President Vincent Abbatiello.

Mr. Abbatiello, currently a Westbury Village Trustee and Commissioner of Claims, received the honorary award in recognition of his term as President of the NSWCA. During his tenure, Mr. Abbatiello directed NSWCA positions on water conservation and sustainability and supervised educational speaking sessions with luminaries such as New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Garden City Park Water District Superintendent Michael Levy on a pilot program to remove 1,4 dioxane, as well as the sponsorship of NSWCA’s Nicholas Bartilucci Manhattan College scholarship to a deserving student.

Left to right: NSWCA President Michael F. Rich III; former NSWCA President Vin Abbatiello; NSWCA Secretary and Plainview WD Commissioner Amanda Field; NSWCA First Vice President and Hicksville Water Commissioner  Bill Schuckmann; NSWCA Second Vice President Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr.

 

NSWCA President and Commissioner Oyster Bay Water District, Michael F. Rich III commented, “We are grateful to former Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello for all his efforts on behalf of this organization and to the 600,000 people we represent. His vision has helped ensure the purity of our water and the continued compliance with all federal, local and New York State laws and regulations.”

Westbury Commissioner Barry V. Green (above)  addressed the group providing details on the Westbury Water District which was formed in 1911. Commissioner Green discussed the infrastructure necessary to provide water to a population of 40,000, including 10 wells, 785 fire hydrants and 92 miles of distribution water mains.

 

McEvoy on Financing Water Projects

McEvoy on Financing Water Projects

 The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) provides information through its Educational Speaker Series and was proud to be addressed by former NSWCA President Robert McEvoy who provided an in depth look into financing water projects by issuing bonds. Mr. McEvoy is a former Comptroller, Town of Oyster Bay, and a current Commissioner from the Oyster Bay Water District.

 “Commissioner-run water districts are sub-units of towns, but are subject to Section 202-b Town Law.” Mr. McEvoy stated. “There are multiple steps that must be observed in order to  finance a project. These steps begin with commissioners as a ‘local agency’ under SEQRA (New York State Environmental Quality Review Act) petitioning the Town Board, scheduling of a public hearing, and eventually, adoption of the Public Interest Order and bond resolution. And larger projects may require preliminary financing for planning and development.”  

 

Left to right: Robert McEvoy, Michael F. Rich III

NSWCA President Michael F. Rich III commented, “We are grateful to Bob McEvoy for a such a detailed presentation about an important subject. Given the current climate on Long Island and in New York State, all Districts should be aware of the policies and procedures that are required to finance water-related projects to ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.”

Supervisor, Superintendents, Super Attendance!

A recent meeting of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association was graced by eight water district  superintendents, Town of Oyster Bay  Supervisor Joseph S. Saladino, Nassau County Legislator Rose Marie Walker from the 17th Legislative District, Oyster Bay Town Councilman Thomas P. Hand, and other notables dedicated to Long Island’s water quality and supply.

NSWCA President Michael F. Rich III welcomed the group at a recent meeting held at the Hicksville Fire Department and the  discussions ranged from water quality, concerns about 1,4 dioxane and emerging contaminants and what the future could bring for the region.

 

 

Plainview WD Commissioners at recent AWWA conference

Plainview Water District Commissioners Andrew Bader, Amanda Field and Mark were among the NSWCA members representing the NSWCA and their District  at a recent AWWA Conference.

Pictured are (left to right),

  • Dennis Kelleher H2M;
  • Commissioner Marc B. Laykind;
  • David LaFrance, CEO of the AWWA;
  • Commissioner Amanda Field, NSWCA Secretary;
  • Commissioner Andrew N. Bader, a former NSWCA President.

 

Training Session with Industry Leader

NSWCA Commissioners and numerous Superintendents recently attended a special training session as part of their Continuing Education Series. Guest speaker Michael Beyer, President of Bancker Construction Corporation, addressed the group on a variety of important issues facing the industry including:

  • Changes in the industry
  • Sustainability
  • Aging Infrastructure
  • Technology in the Industry

Left to right:  NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water Commissioner Larry Zaino; NSWCA President and Oyster Bay Water Commissioner Michael F. Rich III; Michael Beyer, President of Bancker Construction Corporation; NSWCA Second Vice President and West Hempstead Water Commissioner Kenneth P. Wenthen; and NSWCA Secretary and Plainview Water District Commissioner, Amanda Field.

About Bancker Construction Corporation (Islandia NY): Established more than 100 years ago and operating under its current family ownership for nearly 60 years across three generations, Bancker is a full-service utility construction firm. The organization provides all phases of quality civil construction, including water, sewer, gas, cable, telephone, drainage, concrete and site work.Customer service and safety serve as the pillars of Bancker’s operational focus and reputation in all projects at all times.

D-Day: The day the world changed.

June 6th:  Today is the day the world changed.

To be more specific, it was 75 years ago today when Operation Overlord began and the rugged Normandy coast produced names that will be honored for all history…Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Sword Beach, Juno Beach…as well as the names of the more than 150,000 brave American, Canadian and British soldiers, sailors and marines who stormed those beaches.

On that one day of the largest amphibious assault of all time, over 9,000 Allied troops were wounded, and over 4,000 were killed. Many of them are still there. Visiting the American cemetery at Normandy is one of the most solemn and moving events you will ever experience. June 6, 1944 witnessed a monumental effort as the mute testimony of countless rows of crosses and stars still reveals.

As General Dwight D. Eisenhower observed “The eyes of the world are upon you”, and so they were. And they still are.

To all the brave men and women who changed the world that day, who opened the gate in the heroic fight against fascism and the inconceivable evils of the Third Reich, we and future generations salute you, and neither we, nor the world, will ever forget.

Facts About 1,4-Dioxane

Commissioner-Run Water Districts’ Commitment to Water Quality

The mission of each commissioner-run District is to maintain and deliver an uninterrupted supply of the highest quality water to its consumers.

To that end, we ensure public health and safety, actively promote the conservation of our most precious resource, cooperate with all local, county, state and federal authorities, and pledge to fulfill this mission in an efficient, economical and environmentally sound manner.

Each District’s commitment to providing our communities with high-quality water is unwavering. We take an immense amount of pride and dedication in providing consumers throughout each of our Districts with water that meets or surpasses all federal, state and local standards. Whenever there is a need for treatment, we take a proactive approach and invest what is necessary to ensure the safety and quality of our water.

Q. What is 1,4–Dioxane?

1,4-Dioxane is a synthetic chemical historically used as a stabilizer for industrial solvents, predominantly 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA). Apart from its widespread use as a solvent stabilizer from the 1950s through 1990s, it is used in small concentrations in a variety of applications, such as inks, adhesives, and pharmaceuticals. It is also present in trace amounts in certain consumer products such as detergents, shampoos, and cosmetics as a byproduct of the manufacturing process.

Q. How Does 1,4-Dioxane Get Into Drinking Water?

On Long Island, we rely on groundwater for our drinking water supply. 1,4-Dioxane has reached that groundwater primarily because of industrial manufacturing operations on Long Island. Once dioxane reached the ground from routine spills or disposal straight to the soil, it could migrate to the groundwater and persist for many years. Additionally, trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane present in household products (such as shampoo) get

washed down the drain and seeps into the ground, eventually entering Long Island’s aquifer.

Q. Is 1,4-Dioxane Regulated?

There is currently no chemical-specific Federal or New York State drinking water standard for 1,4-dioxane. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed 1,4-dioxane as a probable human carcinogen, but at present the EPA has no plans for establishing water quality standards for the compound. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) currently regulates 1,4-dixoane as an Unspecified Organic Contaminant (UOC). UOCs have a blanket Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 50 parts per billion (ppb). No Long Island water supplier exceeds that level. In December 2018, the New York State Drinking Water Quality Council proposed a recommended drinking water quality MCL of 1.0 part per billion (ppb). NYSDOH is presently reviewing this recommendation and preparing draft standards for the regulation of 1,4-dioxane. The Commissioner of Health may consider a higher or lower MCL based on additional review of health impact data. A draft regulation is planned to be issued sometime in 2019, followed by a 60-day comment period. Implementation of a standard could occur as early as 2020.

Q. What Actions Are Being Taken by to Address 1,4-Dioxane?

While waiting for the State to finalize its process of establishing an MCL, commissioner- run Districts have taken every precaution necessary to test, monitor and assess all water sampling for 1,4-dioxane. Districts have also put in place operational measures to reduce any potential exposure, and aggressive water sampling is conducted regularly. This advanced planning has placed commissioner-run Districts in a very favorable position to implement wellhead treatment as quickly as possible once an MCL is set. Districts are planning significant investments in wellhead treatment through grants and bonding.

Q. What Sort of Treatment Is Required?

Pilot studies undertaken by Long Island water providers have demonstrated that Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) effectively removes 1,4-dioxane from drinking water. Comprehensive testing and quality control are required for 1,4-dioxane removal because of the by-products generated by the advanced oxidation process.

Q. When Will Treatment Be Implemented?

Rest assured that commissioner-run Districts are undertaking proactive action to position each District to implement effective wellhead treatment as soon as possible. 1,4-Dioxane is not the first threat to Long Island’s drinking water source. By working with leading water authorities, local elected officials and legal professionals, commissioners are actively addressing this issue. All Long Island water providers are currently taking steps to monitor, and as necessary, remove this compound from our water supplies to ensure that drinking water meets all applicable local, state and federal quality standards.

Q. Are There Any Health Risks Associated with 1,4-Dioxane?

The EPA has estimated the concentration of 1,4-dioxane in water corresponding to an increased lifetime cancer risk of one-in-a-million, assuming consumption of 2 liters of

water per day every day for a lifetime 70 years, which is 0.35 ppb. This health-protective criterion is often used as a non-regulatory benchmark for minimal risk. The Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (FCPSC) continues to monitor for 1,4-dioxane in consumer products, and legislation has been proposed to regulate and restrict chemicals such as 1,4-dioxane. Many personal care product companies are beginning to voluntarily remove this chemical from their products.

Q. What About Home Water Treatment Devices And Bottled Water?

Regulations for 1,4-dioxane in bottled water, which are enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have not been developed. Bottled water manufacturers may have specific information on 1,4-dioxane levels for their products. At present there are no NSF or UL certified home water treatment devices available for the removal of 1,4- dioxane.
Where Can I Find More Information About 1,4-Dioxane?

Q.  Where Can I Find More Information About 1,4-Dioxane?

 

Q. Where Can I Find Information About Water Quality In Each Commissioner-Run District?

Each commissioner-run District ensures all consumers that your tap water is safe to drink. Consumers can call their respective District and request a copy of their Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. These reports are available at the District office, local libraries or on the website of each respective District.

Water Taste Contest Begins May 6th!

AWWA Drinking Water Week* is just about here. That means that Long Island’s water suppliers will once again compete to see who will be judged by the public as the very best tasting water in each county. Who will take home the trophies for “Best Tasting Water” in 2019? On May 6th, the contest is open to all. Have a drink on us!

Last year’s winners were both NSWCA members. In Suffolk County, the Greenlawn Water District was judged to be the best, while in Nassau County, voters chose the Oyster Bay Water District as the best tasting. Will they repeat in 2019? Or will the previous year’s winners, South Huntington Water District (Suffolk) and Franklin Square Water District (Nassau) reclaim the title?  Or will other suppliers take home the gold?No one knows for sure, but by sampling and voting, residents of all districts can weigh in on this most important topic.

Organized by the Public Relations Committee of the Long Island Water Conference, the 2019 Water Taste Contest will take place May 6th through May 10th at the 50,000-square foot SUNY Farmingdale Campus Center. The NSWCA urges all members to volunteer and to assist the Public Relations Committee in manning the informational display booth.

Please notify Tim McGuire at H2M if you are interested in participating in this year’s water taste contest via email: tmcguire@h2m.com or phone: 631-756-8000 ext.1415.

For more than 40 years the American Water Works Association and its members have celebrated Drinking Water Week – a unique opportunity for both water professionals and the communities they serve to join together in recognizing the vital role that water plays in our daily lives. Please join AWWA as we celebrate drinking water! This year the theme is “Protect the Source”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oyster Bay Water District

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenlawn Water District

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

New 2019 NSWCA Board Elected

Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) Elects New 2019 Board

Oyster Bay Water Commissioner Michael F. Rich III named President

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting sponsored by  the Massapequa Water District, the Association elected a new Board for the 2019 term, which runs through December 31, 2019. Massapequa Commissioner and former NSWCA President Raymond J. Averna, Commissioner Thomas P. McCarthy and Commissioner Francis J. Flood hosted the meeting.

The newly elected NSWCA 2019 Board includes incoming President Michael F. Rich III of the Oyster Bay Water District who succeeds outgoing NSWCA President Vincent Abbatiello; 1st Vice President William Schuckmann of the Hicksville Water District; 2ndVice President Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr. of the West Hempstead Water District; Secretary Amanda Field of the Plainview Water District; and Treasurer Lawrence F. Zaino Jr. of the Carle Place Water District.

Left to right: William Schuckmann, Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr., Michael F. Rich III, Amanda Field, Lawrence F. Zaino Jr.

“Speaking on behalf of this outstanding NSWCA Board, we are looking forward to a very active year in 2019,” President Rich stated. “There has been a great upsurge in interest about Long Island’s water and aquifer as well as conservation and long term sustainability, which is long overdue. Ensuring purity and supply while protecting our sole source aquifer requires continual education. As the suppliers closest to the water, the NSWCA plans expansion of our Educational Series and Seminars in 2019 to provide Commissioners from all 21 member districts and the public they serve with the latest scientific and environmental information relating to Long Island water issues and concerns.”

Bader on LIWC Board

Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew N. Bader, has been selected to serve on the Board of the Long Island Water Conference. Mr. Bader, a former President of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) and a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) brings over ten years of water industry management as well as extensive financial expertise to the Long Island Water Conference Board.

Since its inception in 1951, the Long Island Water Conference has touched all phases of water supply and management in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Members include the 21 NSWCA commissioner-run water districts, as well as major water suppliers, both public and private.