Category Archives: Uncategorized

Patricia Ramirez and Donald P. Irwin

As part of its ongoing Educational Series, theNassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association recently welcomed Nassau County Department of Health, Office of Water Supply Engineering, Director Patricia Ramirez, P.E. as guest speaker. Ms. Ramirez was joined by Nassau County Department of Health, Environmental Health Director Donald P. Irwin. The NSWCA commissioners received a detailed presentation on the very current topic of “Emerging Groundwater Contaminants”.

Commissioners William Costigan, Michael Kosinski and Dr. Sanford E. Klein of the Roslyn Water District sponsored the meeting.

Ms. Ramirez’s opened her engaging presentation by defining the nature of the term ‘emerging contaminants’. This provided details on the ongoing search for emerging contaminants, how they are found as well as potential health effects. Ms. Ramirez reviewed federal and NYS water standards in detail, including standards for 1,4-dioxane, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). A number of potential treatment methods were discussed in detail including Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC), Ion Exchange Resins and high pressure membranes.

NSWCA President and Oyster Bay Water Commissioner Michael F. Rich III, noted, “Director Ramirez provided an insightful landscape of governmental regulation and interaction. Given the amount of media attention devoted to understanding, treating and eliminating emerging contaminants such as PFOS, PFOA and 1,4-dioxane, Ms. Ramirez’s presentation could not be more current. We, the NSWCA Commissioners and water suppliers, agree on the need for more scientifically based education and closer comprehensive cooperative action between government and water suppliers. This we feel is the best course of action for all Long island residents and for our environment. We thank Ms. Ramirez for her stimulating presentation, and both Ms. Ramirez and Mr. Irwin for their insights in the ensuing Q&A session.”

Photo left to right: Nassau County Department of Health, Office of Water Supply Engineering, Director Patricia Ramirez, P.E; NSWCA President Michael F. Rich III, Nassau County Department of Health, Environmental Health Director Donald P. Irwin.

Photo left to right: William Schuckmann, NSWCA 1^st Vice President and Hicksville Water District Commissioner; Lawrence F. Zaino Jr, NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water District Commissioner; Amanda Field, NSWCA Secretary and Plainview Water District Commissioner; Kenneth P. Wenthen Jr., NSWCA 2^nd Vice President and West Hempstead Water District Commissioner; Guest Speaker Nassau County Department Director of Health and Office of Water Supply Engineering Patricia Ramirez; Director of Environmental Programs for the Nassau County Department of Health Donald P. Irwin; and Michael F. Rich III, NSWCA President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner.

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.

Albertson Commissioner, NYS Comptroller Speak on Memorial Day

Albertson Commissioner, NYS Comptroller Speak on Memorial Day

On Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, Albertson Water District Commissioner Howard Abbondondelo and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli both spoke at VFW Post 5253, Searingtown Road in Albertson NY.

Commissioner Abbondondelo, an Albertson resident, addressed the large group of assembled veterans, families and friends. “I am personally grateful to each and every veteran who served our flag, especially those who gave their all to defend it. As someone whose brother, uncles, father and grandfather served in the military, I am honored to address all gathered here as well as those on active duty who continue to keep our great country safe from all perils.”

Comptroller DiNapoli, formerly an Albertson resident, said “the courage and commitment of those we honor today demonstrate that American values are far more than words and slogans—they live in each of us. On this day and every day, let’s pay tribute and respect to our fallen heroes.”

New Iron Removal System For Massapequa

The Massapequa Water District continues to supply the highest quality drinking water at a reasonable cost to its 43,000 residents and has completed several capital projects which have replaced or upgraded the infrastructure of the District.

In particular, the construction of a state-of-the-art iron removal filtering system is now complete and the system is in service. Construction on the site began in February 2018. MWD residents will enjoy a great reduction of occurrences of discolored water within the District as a result of this project.

Bill Merklin On 1,4 Dioxane

Water Systems Engineering Expert Bill Merklin Addresses 1,4-Dioxane Issues with Long Island Water Commissioners at Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) Meeting

Water commissioners representing 21 Long Island water districts serving on the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA), recently received a detailed presentation regarding 1,4-dioxane, one of the biggest issues facing water suppliers and Long lsland residents today. The in-depth presentation was led by guest speaker Bill Merklin, Senior Vice President, D&B Engineers and Architects, P.C., Water Supply Division (Woodbury, NY). The speaker program is part of the Association’s on-going education series.

In discussing the origins of 1,4-dioxane, Mr. Merklin noted, “Decades of industrial chemical manufacturing led to the concentrations of 1,4-dioxane that we now see in our groundwater. This contaminant can also be found in small amounts in some consumer products, ranging from shampoos, cosmetics and detergents to inks and food packaging.”

During his presentation, Mr. Merklin reviewed the regulatory status, treatment processes, and timeline realities. He commented, “One of the most promising treatments is Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP), which involves ultraviolet light and a strong oxidizing agent like hydrogen peroxide followed by Granular Activated Carbon (GAC).” Mr. Merklin cautioned that pilot testing and other evaluations are required before design and eventual integration with other existing treatments.

Michael F. Rich III, NSWCA President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner, commented, “As all of our member districts await further direction from the New York State Department of Health, we truly appreciate Bill Merklin’s incisive presentation about the realities of 1,4-dioxane and potential treatment. It sheds light on an emerging threat while assisting commissioners and superintendents with developing strategies for addressing 1,4-dioxane contamination within individual water districts.”

For More Information please contactMr. Jamie Stanco with Progressive Marketing Group, Inc. via 631-756-7160, or email, jpstanco@pmgstrategic.com.

Left to Right: Larry Zaino, NSWCA Treasurer and Carle Place Water District Commissioner; Michael F. Rich III, NSWCA President and Oyster Bay Water District Commissioner; Amanda Field, NSWCA Secretary and Plainview Water District Commissioner; Bill Merklin, Senior Vice President D&B Engineers and Architects, P.C.; Bill Schuckmann, NSWCA 1st Vice President and Hicksville Water District Commissioner.

President Rich and Mr. Merklin.

Greenlawn is Suffolk’s Best Tasting…again!

Back-To-Back wins for local water provider.

The public has spoken…loudly and clearly! For the second consecutive year (and 10^th time overall), the Greenlawn Water District has been voted the Best Tasting Water in all of Suffolk County!

The District participated in the 33rd annual Tap Water Taste Contest which was held May 6th through May 10th at the 50,000-square foot SUNY Farmingdale Campus Center.Congratulations to the Greenlawn Water District staff, Commissioners John McLaughlin, Jim Logan and John Clark, as well as Superintendent Bob Santoriello on a superb job…again!

As the winner of the Tap Water Taste Contest, the GWD will next be entered into the regional competition. In addition to its impressive total of 10 Best of Suffolk County titles, the Greenlawn Water District has also twice won “Best Tasting Water In New York State”.

NSWCA LICAP Press Conference

On May 16, The Long Island Commission for Aquifer Protection (LICAP) unveiled a comprehensive media campaign designed to encourage Long Islanders to embrace conservation of our drinking water resources.

Emceed by Suffolk County Water Authority Chairman Patrick Halpin, the event was held at the Suffolk County Water Authority Education Center in Hauppauge. The meeting unveiled a new logo, advertising campaign, social media pages and website based around the theme “Our Water. Our Lives.”

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone spoke in depth about the need for greater water conservation practices and the protection of our aquifer resource. Plainview Water Commissioner Amanda Field represented the NSWCA. Commissioner Field spoke to the assembled group about the importance of conservation methods and provided practical examples.

Paul Granger, Superintendent of the Port Washington Water District, Stan Carey Superintendent of the Massapequa Water District, Tyrand Fuller (Suffolk County Water Authority) and Adrienne Esposito (Citizens Campaign for the Environment) also spoke.

Massapequa Water Commissioner Tom McCarthy, Locust Valley Water District Superintendent Chuck Savinetti, Massapequa Water District Superintendent Stan Carey and Dorian Dale, Suffolk County Director of Sustainability & Chief Recovery Officer, were present at the educational press conference.