As seen in PLAINVIEW-OLD BETHPAGE HERALD January 24 – 30, 2018
Month: January 2018
District applies for a Stony Brook University pilot grant program that aims to remove the synthetic compound from Long Island
The Plainview Water District, in partnership with the Bethpage and Greenlawn water districts, announced today that it has submitted a joint proposal for the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology (CCWT) at Stony Brook University’s Pilot Grant Program: Removal of 1,4-Dioxane from Long Island’s Drinking Water. Although, the Plainview Water District reports far lower levels of 1,4-Dioxane than the New York State Department of Health’s (NYSDOH) group maximum contaminant level (MCL) for unregulated chemicals including 1,4-Dioxane, the District has proactively partnered with its neighboring water districts to take advantage of the support that the CCWT’s pilot program provides.
“There is currently no MCL standard or approved treatment method to remove 1,4-Dioxane from our water.” said Plainview Water District Board Chairman Marc Laykind. “This pilot study will enable a matrix-style evaluation tool to compare the treatment effectiveness of a variety of Advanced Oxidation Processes under varying, key water quality parameters. We are excited to join alongside our colleagues in submitting this proposal as the first of many steps to ensure the quality of our water.”
“It’s important to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to treating contaminants such as 1,4-Dioxane,” said Bethpage Water District Superintendent Michael Boufis. “Together with the Plainview and Greenlawn water districts, we put together a strong application for this pilot program and made a compelling case to show why we are collectively the right water providers to partner with on this initiative. We are hopeful we will be granted the opportunity to shape the future of treating 1,4-Dioxane.”
“With so much attention being paid to 1,4-Dioxane, we appreciate the opportunity Stony Brook University has created and the efforts being made to further analyze the path for treating this contaminant,” said Greenlawn Water District Superintendent Bob Santoriello. “Through this collaborative partnership with Plainview and Bethpage water districts, we are hopeful our grant application is approved and we can get to work studying the important components of treating 1,4-Dioxane.”
With the high probability that New York State will be establishing a state-wide drinking water standard specific to 1,4-Dioxane, it is essential that public water suppliers on Long Island find a cost-effective treatment system for this contaminant that is not readily removed, if at all, by traditional treatment methods that Long Island water suppliers currently employ. A significant amount of research and development must be completed within a very short period of time. This is a challenge that the Plainview Water District and its partners are committed in helping achieve. Working together in submitting this proposal for the CCWT grant is a needed step toward ensuring high quality drinking water.
“Programs such as the CCWT’s pilot program are necessary to propel the industry forward and find meaningful, lasting solutions to these types of contaminants,” said Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field. “We are excited to be one of the leaders in this endeavor and introduce a new form of water treatment technology to Long Island that will help shape and improve the future of our drinking water.
“We are always looking for ways to improve services and the quality of our water while simultaneously reducing costs,” stated Superintendent Stephen Moriarty, P.E. “The application we submitted is a grant-based program and there will be no added costs to the District other than providing samples from our wells for testing.”
The Plainview Water District has always taken a proactive approach to testing and reporting on potential emerging contaminants, and 1,4-Dioxane is no exception. The District volunteered to conduct a repeat sampling of Long Island drinking water since initial testing in 2014 and found levels of 1,4-Dioxane to be significantly lower than the NYSDOH Unspecified Organic Contaminant standard.
1,4-Dioxane is a synthetic chemical used as a solvent and a chlorinated solvent stabilizer for industrial chemicals. It is used in a variety of applications such as inks and adhesives. Its presence extends far beyond drinking water and is very pervasive in everyday household products at much higher levels, including cosmetics, shampoos, detergents, and deodorants. There is currently no chemical-specific Federal or New York State drinking water standard for 1,4-Dioxane.
Plainview Water District will continue to monitor this topic. Please check back for updates.
January 24, 2018 Plainview-Old Bethpage Article: Push for Clean Water
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has employed Cascade Drilling Company to conduct drilling operations in the vicinity of Montclair Road—off Manetto Hill Road—in Plainview. Cascade will be installing up to seven monitoring wells as part of the 131 Sunnyside Boulevard superfund site investigation. A monitoring well is a 2-inch diameter, PVC casing pipe that begins at the surface and goes approximately 100 feet below the ground so they can take samples of the groundwater.
Please be advised that your drinking water is not in any way affected as a result of these actions. A fact sheet with additional information has been provided by the NYSDEC. If you have specific questions about this work or would like to know more about the monitoring wells, please contact the NYSDEC at 518-402-9621. Should any resident have additional questions, Residents are always welcome to contact the Plainview Water District at 516-931-6469 for additional information.
NYSDEC FACT SHEET FOR 131 SUNNYSIDE BLVD. SUPERFUND SITE. Click here
The Plainview Water District was recently notified by a resident on Ruby Lane who reported an incident where two individuals gained entry into his home by posing as water district employees. Fortunately, the homeowner was not harmed and, to his knowledge, no items were taken. The homeowner immediately notified the police. Residents should always ask for identification and check the immediate vicinity for a Plainview Water District vehicle if anyone posing as a District employee unexpectedly appears at your home. When in doubt, contact our office at 516-931-6469 to confirm the visit. If at any point you feel threatened, dial 911 immediately.