Category Archives: News

Infrastructure Discussed

Infrastructure was the educational topic of the day at the recent NSWCA meeting in Williston Park, New York. Guest speaker Adam Szczesniak of Suez Water Advanced Solutions (formerly Utility Service Group) used a PPT presentation to discuss water quality and a wide gamut of related services, including wells, valves, robotically sprayed pipe lining, and pigging (interior scouring of water pipes).

Above: Adam Szczesniak of Suez and NSWCA President Vincent Abbatiello.

 

Mr. Szczesniak focused a large part of the discussion on water tanks both the need for maintenance and ways to control costs of maintenance.  “Steel storage tanks can last for a hundred years, if they properly maintained.” He stated.

“Proper maintenance includes interior and exterior coatings and regular inspections for safety, sanitary and security and other concerns,” as well as ensuring OSHA standards. Mr. Szczesniak pointed out that neglected leaks can become major problems and waste untold amounts of water. He noted that replacement of water storage tanks runs into the millions of dollars and that programmatic inspection and maintenance can save water districts future engineering and procurement costs and time and provide the versatility to focus on other projects.

New NSWCA Commissioners Welcomed

It was full house at the recent NSWCA monthly meeting.Three new commissioners were introduced to the NSWCA membership. Mr. Joseph Perry (South Huntington Water District), Mr. Barry V. Green  (Westbury Water District) and longtime water superintendent  and new Commissioner, Mr. Italo J. Vacchio (Carle Place Water District) joined the association’s active ranks.

 

Below left:  Commissioner Perry

Below right:  Commissioners Green and Vacchio.

 

Greenlawn and Oyster Bay Taste Best!

The NSWCA is extremely proud to announce that our commissioner-led water districts have taken the top prizes for Best Tasting Water in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties at the Tap Water Taste Contest.

In Nassau no one has better tasting tap water than the Oyster Bay Water District, according to the the tasters who sampled and voted  at the Campus Center at SUNY Farmingdale May 7th  through May 10th. And in Suffolk, the Greenlawn Water District’s tap water tasted best and  the District took home the trophy for the eighth time .

Congratulations to the dedicated staff and superintendents of both winning districts, to Oyster Bay Commissioners Robert J. McEvoy, Richard Niznik and Michael F. Rich II, as well as to Greenlawn Commissioners John McLaughlin, Jim Logan and John H. Clark.

To Syracuse and Beyond!

Both winners will be entered into the regional competition which eventually culminates in the New York State Fair in Syracuse to determine the best tasting water in the entire state! Winners at the regional and State Fair competitions receive recognition plaques from the judging body, the Water and Wastewater Education and Outreach Committee (WWEOC).

The Suffolk County Trophy.

 Above Right: Left to right: Greenlawn Water District Commissioners John McLaughlin, Jim Logan, John H. Clark, and Superintendent Bob Santoriello.

 

Oyster Bay Water District receiving the Nassau County Trophy from Chuck Savinetti, Superintendent of Locust Valley Water District and Chairman of the LI Water Conference.

Above Right: Left to right: Oyster Bay Water District Superintendent John W. Walsh, Mr. Savinetti, Oyster Bay Commissioners Robert J. McEvoy, Richard Niznik and Michel F. Rich III.

 

 

Understanding Reporting Requirements

NSWCA The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association was recently addressed by guest speaker Austin R. Graff attorney at law, of The Scher Law Firm, LLP, (Carle Place, NY). The meeting was hosted by Cathedral Gardens Water District and NSWCA.

Mr. Graff’s  in-depth presentation centered on  Civil Service Reporting Requirements including hiring practices and steps to ensure that the duties performed by employees are within title. Other key topics  included the need for employees of Special Districts to abide by Civil Service Rules and Procedures at all times, Competitive / Non-Competitive / Laborer titles, and probation periods.

“Education is one of, if not the most essential principle to successful near term and long term management of Long Island’s single source aquifer and water delivery systems,” NSWCA  President Vincent Abbatiello commented. “By having experts such as Austin Graff be a part of the NSWCA’s ongoing Educational Series, our membership is continually apprised of the latestdevelopments, technologies and information to guide and assist us in the management of our respective districts.”

 

Left to right:  NSWCA 1st Vice President Michael F. Rich III of the Oyster Bay Water District; Treasurer Lawrence F. Zaino Jr. of the Carle Place Water District; NSWCA President and Westbury Water Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello; Guest speaker Mr. Austin R. Graff; 2nd Vice President William Schuckmann of the Hicksville Water District.

 

Commissioner Pat Eliseo Locust Valley WD

Locust Valley WD Commissioner Pasquale J. “Pat” Eliseo has passed away at age 85.

Locust Valley Water Commissioner Pat Eliseo lived and worked in Locust Valley all his life, and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army in Korea during the Korean War. A member of the Locust Valley Board of Water Commissioners since 1997, Pat helped oversee the rapid growth and changes in the north shore communities that the District supplies, including Locust Valley, Lattingtown, and areas of Mill Neck and Matinecock. Commissioner Eliseo was also an active member of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), where he held various leadership positions, including the position of President.

With deep roots in the community, Pat was a volunteer member of the Locust Valley Fire Department for 65 years, including serving as Treasurer of its Emergency Medical Rescue Squad.  He also held the positions of Department Treasurer, Company Captain and District Fire Commissioner, and was a member of the Locust Valley Exempt and Benevolent Firemen’s Association.

Pat Eliseo’s community involvement was extensive. A charter member of the Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club, he was a member of the Matinecock Neighborhood Association, and served as Vice-President for over 20 years. He was also a member and past-president of the Locust Valley Rotary Club and a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow, the organization’s highest award.

In his business life, Pat was well known and respected as the proprietor of Marquis Wines and Liquors for over 30 years.  His guidance, professionalism and good humor will be missed.

 

 

NSWCA Bartilucci Scholarship

The NSWCA Nicholas J. Bartilucci Scholarship:  

Smart Thoughts For Smart Students.

 Body: There is a $1,000 scholarship available for a worthy engineering student at Manhattan College. Sponsored by  your District as a member of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), the scholarship honors the late Nicholas J. Bartilucci. Mr. Bartilucci was not only a founding member and past President of the NSWCA, but a thought leader whose insights, experience and technical engineering expertise were highly valued throughout the industry.

The annual scholarship is open to entering freshmen enrolled full-time in any engineering degree program at Manhattan College. Emphasis is placed on academic credentials and extra curricular activities.

Potential applicants must reside in one of the 21 NSWCA memberwater districts (see http://www.nswcawater.com). The student awardee will be selected by the college upon verification of residency by the NSWCA.

To apply, please contact Mary Ellen Malone, Director of Planned Giving, at Manhattan College: 718-862-7976.

 

 

Mr. Nicholas Bartilucci

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senator Elaine Phillips Speaks at NSWCA Meeting

Left to right:
NSWCA 1st Vice President Michael F. Rich III (Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner).
NSWCA Treasurer Lawrence F. Zaino Jr. (Carle Place Water District Commissioner);
New York State Senator Elaine Phillips;
2nd Vice President William Schuckmann (Hicksville Water District Commissioner);
NSWCA Secretary Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr., (West Hempstead Water District Commissioner.

Senator Elaine Phillips, New York State Senator from the 7th Senate District, recently addressed the NSWCA with her thoughts and opinions on a variety of water-related topics. Speaking in front of a full house, she reiterated that ensuring that Long Island water resources remain safe for current residents and future generations is now, and has always been, a top priority of hers.

“I consider myself one of the most environmental Senators from New York, and environmentalism is part of my platform,” commented Senator Phillips. “Drinking water is a necessity, not a luxury.”

The Senator noted that 1,4-dioxane is at unprecedented levels across the country, and particularly right here on Long Island.  She pointed out that there is state funding coming into Long Island, and that some Districts have already received funding for treatment in 2017.

Senator Phillips also touched on the reactivation of the Queens wells, noting that this presented a serious threat to Long Island’s aquifers, a threat that Long Islanders “should not and must not accept.”  The wells, dormant for many years, pose threats to affect Long Island’s groundwater in unknown and potentially dangerous ways including allowing saltwater intrusion or diverting of underground toxic plumes.

Senator Phillips commented that she believed the most responsible course of action is to delay any re-permitting until the current groundwater study by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Nassau and Suffolk counties is completed.  Only then can we be certain of the impacts that the re-opening of the Queens wells will have on our region’s groundwater.

Who’s The Best? 2018 Water Taste Contest!

It’s that time again!

AWWA Drinking Water Week* means Long Island’s contest to see who will take home the trophies for “Best Tasting Water” 2018 will soon be in full swing.

Last year the South Huntington Water District was judged the best in Suffolk County, and the Franklin Square Water District was the proud winner in Nassau County.  Can they hold off all challengers and repeat?  Find out by participating in the annual event.

Sponsored by the LI Water Conference,  the Water Taste Contest will take place  May 7th  through May 10th  at the Campus Center at SUNY Farmingdale. The LIWC Public Relations Committee needs the help of all its members to assist in manning the informational display booth. All NSWCA member Districts are encouraged to participate and to volunteer.

*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 water plays in our daily lives. Drinking Water Week is celebrated the first full week in May each year. Please join AWWA as we celebrate drinking water! This year the theme is “Protect the Source”.

 

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli Addresses Issues

Thomas DiNapoli

The Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association , as part of its ongoing Educational Training Series, recently held a training session with New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Mr. DiNapoli, a lifelong Long Islander and formerly NYS assemblyman from the 16th District, has served as New York State Comptroller since 2007.

Mr. DiNapoli opened his presentation with a discussion of the mission of the NYS Comptroller’s Office, and outlined the steps to understanding the audit process. These ranged from initial research and information gathering to corrective action plans and field services surveys.

Comptroller DiNapoli zeroed in on current situations including drinking water systems in New York State, and particularly on Long Island. He discussed the challenges all water districts face with aging infrastructure, stating “greater demand, increasing water loss, potential water system contamination and the need for increased security are serious problems facing us today. It is simply not enough to talk about environmental issues,” Mr. DiNapoli remarked, to much audience applause. “We need more long range planning, and we must take a more aggressive approach by making more dollars available to handle infrastructure needs.” He cited Governor Cuomo’s support of the Clean Water Infrastructure Act with funding for an Environmental Protection Fund to help support municipalities with modernized, sustainable water systems.

NSWCA President and Westbury Water Commissioner Vincent Abbatiello commented, “Comptroller DiNapoli’s presence and presentation was truly informative and enlightening. By providing NSWCA Commissioners, superintendents, and staff with an in-depth look into the specifics of water system management and oversight from the New York State perspective, the training certainly clarified a number of essential points. With growing public recognition of the vital importance and challenges of managing water infrastructure for present day and future use, this informative meeting could not have been more timely.”

Michael F. Rich III 1st Vice President, and Oyster Bay Water District Water Commissioner, NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Vincent Abbatiello NSWCA President and Westbury Water District Commissioner, Lawrence F. Zaino Jr. Treasurer, and Carle Place Water District Water Commissioner, William Schuckmann 2nd Vice President: and Hicksville Water District

Cybersecurity & Business Continuity Education

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting, the NSWCA received a thorough update on state of the art IT cybersecurity measures as they apply to the water supply industry and Long Island water suppliers.

Guest speakers Tim McKnight and James Tauer from Total Technology Solutions (Melville NY) addressed the commissioners. They explained that in 2018, “cyberthreats of all types have

become more rampant than ever before by an order of magnitude.”  According to Mr. Tauer, “in today’s world, we are faced with a case of managing risk and staying a step ahead of those who seek to damage systems and interrupt operations. Leading cyberthreats to water districts run the gamut. They can include social engineering and insider threats, malware, phishing and ransomeware like the cryptolocker virus. All of these types of hacking attack cybersecurity and can take a communications network down, or paralyze it or ultimately destroy it.”

 

 

The Total team speaks from experience as it represents several NSWCA member water districts on Long Island.

“Cybercrime is the second most reported economic crime in the USA,” Mr. McKnight commented. “In fact, 95% of breached records come from three vital sectors: Government, retail and technology. It’s a dangerous world, but fortunately, more than 90% of breaches are preventable.”

Areas of greatest risk for water districts include unpatched systems, remote access, and poor or weak infrastructure. Lack of password and/or permission management, absence of written policies and little or no staff training make it far easier for hackers to do their nefarious deeds.

Mr. Tauer cited examples of cybercrimes against water providers across the country, and explained essential measures necessary to guard against them and to ensure business continuity. Total’s Layered Defense, he said, “is specifically designed to counter cybercrime. It is comprehensive, overlapping and intentionally redundant to provide the broadest and deepest threat protection. It starts with physical Water District site surveying and network assessment and includes vulnerability scanning and awareness training.”

Mr. Tauer also cited the example of Kemuri Water Company (not its real name due to sensitive nature of breach). Hackers manipulated the chemicals used to assure safe drinking water, and altered water flow rates causing serious disruptions to water distribution.

A spokesman for the NSWCA commented that “we greatly appreciate the in depth information provided by Mr. Tauer and Mr. McKnight. Water Districts are highly visible cyber targets because of the essential services we provide. Cyber awareness training is vitally important to help maintain an uninterrupted supply of the highest quality water which is the responsibility of every one of the NSWCA member Districts.”