At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting hosted by Franklin Square Water District Commissioners Salvatore Intagliata, Madeline Presta and Ralph Pugliese, guest speaker Mr. Andrew McLoughlin, Territory Manager from Mueller Co., presented a program on the advancements in fire hydrant technology.

Mr. McLoughlin discussed the history and construction of fire hydrants, bringing the commissioners up to the present with new painting systems, the use of personalized color, hydrant QR tagging, and the and latest security devices.

“Performance and longevity are the real tests of a fire hydrant.” Mr. McLoughlin commented. “Lives and property depend on the swift delivery of water through an easily accessed hydrant.” In addition to the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. McLoughlin demonstrated the internal workings with a cutaway model of a typical hydrant and the tools necessary to repair and maintain a hydrant in the field.

“The march of technology continues even with something as time-proven as the fire hydrant.” Raymond Averna, President of the NSWCA and Massapequa Water Commissioner said. “As stewards of the water supply here on Long Island, the NSWCA is always eager to learn about new and innovative ideas. I thank Mr. McLoughlin for this very detailed and informative presentation.”

Photo:  L to R:  Plainview Water Commissioner and NSWCA First VP Andy Bader; Mueller Territory Manager Andrew McLoughlin; NSWCA President and Massapequa Water Commissioner Raymond Averna; Hicksville Water Commissioner and NSWCA Treasurer Bill Schuckmann; Oyster Bay Water Commissioner and NSWCA Secretary  Michael Rich.

Come to the Safety Seminar & Expo on October 24 to see Keynote Speaker Roger Sampson of New York 811* and review some of the industry’s leading equipment vendors and distributors. Light Refreshments, Raffles and Giveaways All included with Entrance Fee.

Admission is $50.  RSVP by 10.14.16 to: Karl@hicksvillewater.org

safety-show-2016-flier

Equipment Vendors / Distributors 

• Oil Spill Response Equipment
• Hearing Protection and Conservation
• Excavation Safety
• Chemical Handling Products
• Respiratory Protection
• Work Area Protection
• Emergency Lighting
• Safety Vests
• Lock/Tag-Out
• Face Protection / Eyewear Faceshields
• Safety Shoes
• Hand Protection / Work Gloves
• Head Protection-Hard Hats
• Confined Space Equipment Meters
• Fall Protection
• Rain Gear / Outerwear

 *Established in 1990, New York 811 is a nonprofit organization that acts as a communications link between utility companies planning any digging activity in the five boroughs of New York City and Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. By relaying these requests, New York 811 helps protect one of the most vast, congested and complicated underground infrastructures in the nation.

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting hosted by Franklin Square Water District Commissioners Salvatore Intagliata, Madeline Presta and Ralph Pugliese, guest speaker Mr. Andrew McLoughlin, Territory Manager from Mueller Co., presented a program on the advancements in fire hydrant technology.

Mr. McLoughlin discussed the history and construction of fire hydrants, bringing the commissioners up to the present with new painting systems, the use of personalized color, hydrant QR tagging, and the and latest security devices.

“Performance and longevity are the real tests of a fire hydrant.” Mr. McLoughlin commented. “Lives and property depend on the swift delivery of water through an easily accessed hydrant.” In addition to the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. McLoughlin demonstrated the internal workings with a cutaway model of a typical hydrant and the tools necessary to repair and maintain a hydrant in the field.

“The march of technology continues even with something as time-proven as the fire hydrant.” Raymond Averna, President of the NSWCA and Massapequa Water Commissioner said. “As stewards of the water supply here on Long Island, the NSWCA is always eager to learn about new and innovative ideas. I thank Mr. McLoughlin for this very detailed and informative presentation.”

Photo:  L to R:  Plainview Water Commissioner and NSWCA First VP Andy Bader; Mueller Territory Manager Andrew McLoughlin; NSWCA President and Massapequa Water Commissioner Raymond Averna; Hicksville Water Commissioner and NSWCA Treasurer Bill Schuckmann; Oyster Bay Water Commissioner and NSWCA Secretary  Michael Rich.

Insurance discussion ruled the evening in an NSWCA meeting hosted by Garden City Park Water District Commissioners Kenneth Borchers, Peter Chimenti and Chris Engel. Guest speaker Mr. Ray Florio, representing Allstate Benefits, educated the assembly on the advancements in voluntary benefits and disability benefits.  Mr. Florio also discussed the latest changes and features in other topics typically of interest to Districts such as  accident coverage, group critical illness and universal life coverage.

From the welcoming remarks by LIWC Chairman Ralph Pugliese to Stan Carey’s closing words, the 2016 Legislative Breakfast  was informative and well received by all attending.  Paul Ganger, Legislative Committee Chair, provided remarks and keynote speaker Jim Tierney (NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Deputy for Water Resources) gave a detailed presentation.  New York State Senator Jack Martins was honored with a plaque presentation for  his considerable support for LI water conservation, sustainability, and the health of our sole source aquifer.

Guest speaker Mr. Paul J. Ponturo, P.E., Senior Water Resources Engineer at H2M Architects & Engineers (Melville, NY) addressed the commissioners with scientific information and data regarding the water contamination crisis in Flint Michigan.

“When Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water sourced from Lake Huron and the Detroit River to the Flint River, officials failed to apply corrosion control treatment to the new water source,” Mr. Ponturo observed. “This culminated in lead contamination, creating a serious public health danger. The corrosive Flint River water caused lead from aging pipes to leach into the water supply, causing extremely elevated levels of lead.”

Mr. Ponturo added that while many Long Island water providers utilize “infrastructures that are almost 100 years old New York State has strict water management compliance regulations. Each District continually maintains their respective infrastructure to avoid potential contamination including lead leaching intrusion.”

Hicksville Water Commissioner Bill Schuckmann; Oyster Bay Water Commissioner Michael Rich; H2M Senior Water Resources Engineer Paul Ponturo; NSWCA President and Massapequa Water Commissioner Raymond Averna; Plainview Water Commissioner Andy Bader.

Local Long Island water districts get their water from “a sole source subterranean aquifer as opposed to lake or river water,” Ray Averna, President of the NSWCA and Massapequa Water Commissioner observed. “While our raw water contains virtually no lead even before treatment, the public can see complete information on what’s in the water of our 21 commissioner-run NSWCA member Districts in each respective District’s annual Drinking Water Quality Report.”

Established in 1926 when Calvin Coolidge was President and the Roaring Twenties were going full blast, The West Hempstead Water District has served residents by delivering high quality water virtually without interruption for 90 years.

Congratulations to the staff of WHWD, Commissioners C. John Sparacio, Joseph M. Marando and Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr, and Superintendent Robert P. York, on a job well done!

Former 2015 Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) President Thomas P. Hand of Massapequa Water District was recently awarded a citation from the Nassau County Office of the Executive, recognizing “Outstanding individuals who render significant contributions for the enhancement of our region and the betterment of our residents.”

2016 NSWCA President Raymond J. Averna of Massapequa Water District presented Mr. Hand the award, commenting, “Thomas truly deserves our appreciation for his leadership and guidance during his tenure. His commitment to NSWCA and the communities we serve merit recognition.”

Mr. Hand currently serves as a Massapequa Water District Commissioner and continues to be active in NSWCA.

On March 15, 2016 Newsday published a  letter from NSWCA President President Raymond Averna in response to a previously issued Newsday article.  Click on the following link to read the response , “Don’t dismantle local water districts”.

NSWCA Letter Editor Newsday 3.15.16

At a recent Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) meeting, guest speaker Mr. Mark Manzari, addressed the commissioners on subsurface utility engineering, in particular leak detection and field-to-finish infrastructure data collection.

Mr. Manzari, Vice President and Director of Operations at NYLD Infrastructure, New York Leak Detection, Inc., discussed how water districts can utilize state-of-the-art location and mapping technologies to deliver on site, real time utility location and depth information, as well as leak locations and condition assessments. Several Long Island Water Districts utilize these services including the Hicksville, Glenwood, Manhasset-Lakeville and Franklin Square.

“Detecting leaks is the first step toward repairing them, which conserves natural resources and contains costs,” Mr. Manzari pointed out. “Savings in terms of labor, cost and time are often realized and infrastructure integrity is preserved. Advanced location technologies such as Ground Penetrating Radar are being used to verify locations of waterlines resulting in more accurate identification of problems or potential problems. Long Island, with thousands of miles of aging subterranean infrastructure, is a prime candidate for this technology.”

Mr. Raymond Averna, President of the NSWCA, and Massapequa Water Commissioner, commented, “The NSWCA’s Continuing Education Series connects expert professionals with our NSWCA Commissioners who are closest to Long Island’s water supply. We greatly appreciate Mr. Manzari’s informative presentation, and view such services as potential conservation tools in our efforts to enhance the protection of Long Island residents and our sole source supply of water.”