As seen in the Long Island Press on October 31, 2025.

Responsible Disposal of Expired or Unwanted Medications Helps Protect Long Island’s Sole-Source Aquifer

The Plainview Water District (PWD), in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department, successfully hosted its eighth annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, collecting more than 300 pounds of unused or expired medications from local residents. This initiative ensures these substances are safely disposed of and do not end up contaminating the community’s sole-source aquifer, which provides drinking water for all of Long Island. Since the event’s inception in 2018, the District has collected and properly disposed of nearly 2,500 pounds of unwanted medications.

“Each year, the Plainview-Old Bethpage community continues to step up and show how much they care about protecting our water supply,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “The continued success of this event is proof that when we work together toward a shared goal, we can make a lasting impact on the quality of our environment.”

Improper disposal of prescription and over-the-counter medicines—such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them into household garbage—can lead to trace contaminants entering local waterways and eventually the groundwater. Because Long Island relies entirely on its underground aquifer for drinking water, responsible disposal is essential for preventing potential contamination and avoiding the need for costly water treatment systems in the future.

“Our Pharmaceutical Take Back Day serves as an important reminder that protecting our water begins at home,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “By taking just a few minutes to bring in old medications, residents are helping ensure that future generations have access to the highest quality drinking water.”

The Plainview Water District continues to prioritize community education and environmental responsibility through events like this, which encourage safe disposal practices and raise awareness about the connection between everyday household habits and groundwater protection.

“It’s always inspiring to see how engaged our residents are in initiatives like this,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Every bottle and every pill we collect represents a meaningful contribution to the long-term health of our community. We’re grateful to everyone who continues to make this program such a success.”

For further information, or if you have any questions, please call the District at 516-931-6469, email info@plainviewwater.org or visit www.plainviewwater.org. Residents can also sign up to receive information by submitting their email address through the District’s homepage or following them on Facebook in order to stay up-to-date with District activities and initiatives.

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New Treatment System Sets Regional Standard for Nitrate and Perchlorate Removal

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce the opening of its newest treatment facility at Plant 4 along Southern Parkway. The District celebrated this significant moment in PWD history with a ribbon cutting ceremony, during which they were joined by area elected official and water district officials from surrounding communities. This advanced installation features a unique combination of Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP), Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) and specialized nitrate and perchlorate treatment—marking the first local implementation of this specific system. Capable of producing and distributing up to four million gallons of high-quality water per day, the facility stands as one of the most advanced treatment operations on Long Island and further strengthens the District’s ability to deliver exceptional drinking water to the community.

“This is a landmark achievement for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “The opening of Plant 4 represents a major advancement in our ability to provide the highest-quality water to our residents for decades to come. From the earliest planning stages, the District set out to create one of the region’s most advanced treatment systems, and today we are proud to see that vision realized.”

The Plant 4 facility brings together three cutting-edge technologies in one location. The Advanced Oxidation Process introduces a carefully measured oxidant that passes through ultraviolet light to break down 1,4-dioxane molecules, while Granular Activated Carbon filtration captures any remaining impurities, including perfluorinated compounds, before water continues through the treatment process. The Ion Separation Exchange Process, a specialized ion exchange method, targets and removes nitrates and perchlorate by attracting and binding these specific ions to a treatment medium before distribution. All of these treatment systems will be working in concert, allowing the District to uphold its commitment to exceptional water quality.

“This facility represents the very best in modern water treatment technology,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Our team has worked tirelessly to design and build a system that not only addresses today’s water quality concerns but is also adaptable to future needs. We are proud to once again set the standard for water treatment on Long Island.”

The District’s careful planning and forward-thinking approach made it possible to fund this multi-million-dollar project without any impact to customer rates. Securing more than $6.6 million in grant funding was crucial to the PWD’s ability to avoid placing as much of this burden as possible on POB residents.  

Construction of the Plant 4 treatment facility underscores the District’s ongoing commitment to investing in critical infrastructure that protects residents and preserves water quality. By introducing these advanced systems, PWD continues its legacy of innovation and leadership in the drinking water industry.

“This project is a testament to the dedication of our engineers, staff and the entire Plainview-Old Bethpage community,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Plant 4 is built for longevity and will provide billions of gallons of high-quality drinking water for generations to come. By investing in our water, we are investing in our future.”

For further information, or if you have any questions, please call the District at 516-931-6469, email info@plainviewwater.org or visit www.plainviewwater.org. Residents can also sign up to receive information by submitting their email address through the District’s homepage or following them on Facebook in order to stay up-to-date with District activities and initiatives.

As seen in the Long Island Press on October 17, 2025.