The Plainview Water District would like to clarify some confusion stemming from a recent Plainview-Old Bethpage School District notification concerning POB schools’ internal water samples that tested positive for lead. We routinely sample for lead and copper in the Water District distribution system and all results have shown that levels for lead were non-detectable (if any contaminant exists, it is so low that modern sampling technology cannot detect it) and copper levels are far below the referred action limit.

Since the water being supplied to homes and buildings is essentially free of these contaminants as confirmed by our routine sampling, when a sample taken within a structure/facility shows elevated levels of lead and/or copper, the source of the lead/copper is interior plumbing or fixtures. Lead was a common material used in plumbing systems and fixtures in older buildings. In fact, to a lesser degree, there are still some plumbing fixtures that are manufactured today with a small amount of lead in them, which can result in positive “first draw” samples.

Water providers do not have any jurisdiction of the plumbing systems or fixtures inside of a home, business, or other buildings. However, to help get a better understanding of the presence of lead and copper in the interior plumbing systems and buildings, the District conducts lead and copper sampling in accordance with the EPA’s regulation known as the lead and copper rule. All water districts across the nation conduct lead and copper sampling in accordance with EPA guidelines.

The Health Department limits are set for lead and copper, and District water laboratory results are as follows:

Lead:

  • Health Department maximum allowable Limit= 15 parts per billion (ppb).
  • Plainview Water District results have been less than 1.0 ppb or non-detectable.

Copper:

  • Health Department maximum allowable Limit= 1.3 parts per million (ppm).
  • Plainview Water District results have shown a maximum level of 0.0044 ppm.

Plant #2 is the First of Four District Facilities to Operate the State-of-the-Art Advanced Oxidation Process Treatment

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce that its first advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment system is operational after receiving approval from the New York State Department of Health. AOP treatment, along with granular activated carbon (GAC), is the only treatment combination proven to remove 1,4-dioxane from drinking water. PWD’s Plant #2 is the first of four production facilities to receive the treatment duo that is now producing water with non-detectable levels of 1,4-dioxane ahead of the State’s compliance deadline.   

“This is a watershed moment for the Plainview Water District and our community as a whole,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “We have been dedicated to the development of these AOP treatment projects each and every day for more than two years so it is extremely gratifying to have our first system up and running. Being in this position today is no small feat—this came together because of this District’s comprehensive planning and execution all in the name of providing higher-quality water to Plainview-Old Bethpage residents.”

On August 26, 2020, the New York State Health Department finalized regulations that will take effect later this year. These regulations established maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for emerging compounds 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS. This action makes New York the first and only state in the country with an enforceable MCL for 1,4-dioxane. The District has been working tirelessly for the past several years to formulate and implement their aggressive action plan to have the required treatment systems constructed and secure the funding for these costly capital improvements. The District’s diligent efforts make them one of the few water providers on Long Island with an operational AOP system for the removal of 1,4-dioxane.

“We are proud to be one of the first Nassau County water providers to have an operational AOP system,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “The Plainview Water District has put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure we are in the position we are today. With construction completed at the other impacted well sites, we will be able to get them up and running as soon as we receive the required approvals from the health department.”

While Plant #2 is the first PWD water supply and treatment site to have a completed AOP and GAC system, construction of treatment systems at Plants #1, #3 and #7 are also completed. These systems cannot be turned on until approval is given from the New York State Department of Health. However, the District is expecting to have the necessary approvals for these remaining treatment facilities in the near future.

“Even though there is a provision that could provide water providers with an additional three years to come into compliance with the new regulations, our plan was always to have treatment up and running as soon as possible.” stated PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Water quality is, and will always be, our foremost concern and we will continue to make whatever infrastructure improvements are necessary to deliver water to our residents that meets or surpasses all water quality guidelines.”