Safe, Contactless Drive-Thru Responsibly Disposes Hundreds of Pounds of Unwanted Medications

Plainview, N.Y. (October 12, 2021)— The Plainview Water District (PWD) is hosting its fourth annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day on Saturday, October 23 between 10am and 1pm at 10 Manetto Hill Road, where residents are encouraged to bring any unwanted or expired medications to be disposed of properly. As a part of the PWD’s Preserve Plainview initiative, this annual drive-thru event ensures the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals and prevents them from making their way into the community’s sole-source of drinking water.

“We encourage all members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage community to take advantage of this event to dispose of their expired or unused medications in the safest and most convenient way possible,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Our collective responsibility as a community is to protect our sole-source of drinking water. POB residents continue to impress us with their participation each year and we look forward to making this year the most successful yet.”

Normally, if someone flushes medications down the toilet or throws them in the garbage, there is a likelihood that the medications’ contents will ultimately make their way into the community waterways and water supply. If there is an elevated presence of toxins from pharmaceuticals in the groundwater, the District will have no choice but to heavily invest in expensive treatment systems so the impurities can be removed before they reach customers’ homes.

“We could not be prouder of the community’s residents and how receptive they’ve been to this program we launched several years ago,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “With nearly 300 pounds of unwanted medications being collected last year, the District is hoping for another great turnout to help continue preserving Plainview’s water.”

This year, Pharmaceutical Take Back Day, which is held in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department, will once again include all social distancing and safety protocols. All residents with unused or expired medications are encouraged to go to the District’s headquarters at 10 Manetto Hill Road on October 23 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

“Protecting our environment from potentially harmful substances is the responsibility of each and every resident of our community,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Pharmaceutical Take Back Day is a wonderful opportunity for community members to do their part in keeping our aquifer safe.”

For additional information about the Plainview Water District’s Pharmaceutical Take Back Day or other District initiatives, please call (516) 931-6469 or visit the Plainview Water District website at 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.

Residents Must Test Their Backflow System Annually, Deadline for Test Compliance Submission is December 31, 2021

The Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to remind residents that the New York State Health Department (NYSDOH) and Nassau County Health Department require testing on backflow devices. This compliance testing must be performed by a certified professional, and is extremely important in ensuring the safety of Plainview-Old Bethpage’s water supply.

“Having a proper, functioning backflow system is necessary to prevent contaminants from entering the District’s distribution system,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Weed killers, fertilizers, and other lawn products will not find their way back into the public water supply after a period of low pressure with a certified backflow device.”

Backflow devices are mechanical double-check valves that prevent the water flow from reversing during a loss of water pressure. This loss can be caused by firefighter use or a water main break. These devices must be tested annually to make certain they are installed and functioning properly. Backflow devices prevent pollution and contamination of the public water supply during times of fluctuating pressure. Residents need a backflow device if they have: in-ground sprinklers, fire lines, swimming pools, or a private well that is interconnected with the public water supply to name a few conditions.

“Slight water pressure changes in the distribution system is not uncommon during the year due to differing water demands,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “If a backflow device is not properly installed, chemicals and other pollutants can easily infiltrate our community’s water. It is important to heed the Department of Health’s warnings and get your device tested to help you and your neighbors avoid any potential dangers with our community’s water supply.”

The District encourages residents to arrange for a NYSDOH certified backflow tester to conduct their annual backflow test and avoid any penalties for noncompliance. The Plainview Water District keeps an up-to-date list of New York State licensed backflow testers on its website, www.plainviewwater.org/resources/backflow/. The District also maintains its own dedicated Cross-Connection Control Department to help residents with compliance questions that can be reached at 516-931-6469.

New Advanced Oxidation Process Treatment System Specifically Designed to Remove 1,4-Dioxane

PWD Leads Long Island Providers with Most AOP Systems Installed

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce that it has recently received approval from the New York State and Nassau County Health Departments to bring an additional Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment system online. This AOP treatment system is the sixth state-of-the-art treatment system constructed by the District for the removal of 1,4-dioxane from the community’s drinking water and makes the Plainview Water District Long Island’s leader in 1,4-dioxane treatment.

“This is a watershed moment for the District, our community and the quality of its drinking water,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “We are proud of the leadership this District has shown to expedite the installation of treatment for 1,4-dioxane to meet the new, strictest-in-the-nation standards. The proactivity of our team and the aggressive stance we collectively took to get these systems up and running in an expeditious manner is a testament to our dedication to provide the residents of Plainview-Old Bethpage with the highest quality water possible.”  

The latest plant to come online, Plant 3, located on Orchard Street, is a $2.2 million system specifically designed to produce up to two million gallons per day of the highest quality drinking water for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community. The District now has the ability to treat more than 11 million gallons of water every day for 1,4-dioxane. The PWD had begun planning these treatment facilities back in 2018, two years before these regulations were put into effect. Due to their tireless efforts, the District was able to ensure all water being distributed to the community was in compliance with the regulations before they went into effect.   

“My fellow commissioners, our staff and our engineers deserve all the credit in the world for getting us to this point in such a short period of time,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “We have been planning to execute this treatment endeavor for years now as it was always our policy to not seek a deferral from the Health Department and extend the amount of time we had to come into compliance. We met this goal and with the sixth AOP system now online, we have the capacity in place to ensure our residents are always receiving the highest quality water possible.”

AOP treatment systems work by adding a small amount of oxidant (hydrogen peroxide) to the water to create a reaction as it passes through ultraviolet light which ultimately destroys the synthetic chemical. Once the reaction takes place, the water then travels into large Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration tanks to remove any trace amount of oxidant that remain as well as organic and inorganic compounds (such as PFOA and PFOS). This treatment combination of AOP and GAC is the only approved method to remove all of these emerging contaminants by the NYSDOH and local health department.

“If you fail to plan then you plan to fail, which is why we dedicated so much time and resource to ensure our District was well positioned to meet these new water quality standards,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “The investments being made now will not only have an immediate impact, but they will benefit the future generations of our community. While we still have a lot of work ahead of us, we take an immense amount of pride in what we have already been able to accomplish.”

The Plainview Water District has been awarded nearly $9 million in infrastructure grant money to construct the necessary AOP treatment facilities. The removal of 1,4-dioxane from wells across Long Island is estimated to cost $1 billion in capital investments with an additional tens of millions per year in increased operating and maintenance costs.

Despite Power Outages and Other Impacts of Severe Weather, Water Service is Never Interrupted

Plainview, N.Y. (July 29, 2021)—Hurricane season is back in full force, and Long Island is sure to have its periods of severe weather this summer and into the Fall. Despite the occurrences of flooding and widespread power outages, the Plainview Water District (PWD) is prepared and well equipped to continue providing its residents with the highest quality water possible, regardless of the weather.

“The Plainview Water District has taken both short-term and long-term planning and resiliency measures to ensure our supply and distribution system operation can handle any severe weather event,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “The last thing anyone needs during a major storm is for their water to stop flowing. Luckily for our residents, we have made the necessary investments in both infrastructure and manpower to keep water flowing twenty-four seven.”

All water pumps and treatment facilities rely heavily on electricity in order to operate. If a power outage does occur, the PWD has its own emergency electrical generator facilities on standby at its plant sites to take over supplying electricity to is key facilities. The generator equipment is maintained year-round and tested frequently to ensure everything is always ready when needed. In addition, all members of the PWD are trained and prepared to use the equipment and handle many different emergency situations like hurricanes and tropical storms.

“All District facilities and staff are prepared to act immediately should our facilities lose power or be impacted in any other way by a severe storm,” said Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Our emergency action plan has dedicated response teams that are ready to be mobilized at a moment’s notice. Fortunately for the community, they typically don’t ever have to worry about their water service stopping due to a storm thanks to our team’s preparedness.”

The District is also a member of New York’s statewide Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (NYWARN) of utilities that encourages and supports emergency preparedness across the state, as well as disaster response and mutual aid for public and private water and wastewater utilities. As a member of NYWARN, neighboring water suppliers from across the state provide emergency assistance when necessary. The Plainview Water District also has a seat at Nassau County’s Office of Emergency Management, where water and utility suppliers across the county coordinate an emergency response in case of a region-wide power outage. The PWD is proud to help assist its neighboring water systems and other Nassau County utility suppliers in case of an emergency.

“Ensuring that our facilities can be self-sufficient without a moment’s notice is only possible because of the great work of our teams and professional engineers who designed the systems to operate in any condition,” said Commissioner Amanda Field. “Power outages can be extremely stressful periods of time for residents, so we want everyone in the POB community to rest assured that when it comes to all things water, we have it under control.”

District Received More Than 300 Entries from POB Students

Plainview, NY (June 17, 2021)— The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce the 18 winners of the 2021 water conservation poster contest. An annual tradition in the District, the poster contest is held in partnership with the Plainview Old Bethpage Central School District for students in grades 1 through 6. This poster contest is designed to be a fun activity that also provides an opportunity for students to learn about the importance of water conservation and our region’s sole-source aquifer.

“The Plainview Water District is extremely proud of the participation with this year’s contest and thanks the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District for their continued support in this effort,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “The students’ creativity and commitment to their posters is inspiring for myself and the rest of the Board of Commissioners as the future of our most precious natural resource is in good hands with the students in our community.”

The winners for the poster contest are as follows:

Grade 1

Ava Gaffan, Stratford Road School

Derek Scarcella, Stratford Road School

Sophie Schwartz, Stratford Road School

Grade 2

Parker Rosamilia, Old Bethpage School

Elena Choe, Stratford Road School

Anastasia Lin, Stratford Road School

Grade 3

Emmanuel Chin, Stratford Road School

Ryan Babich, Stratford Road School

Michael DiMarco, Stratford Road School

Grade 4

Marlee Cohen, Old Bethpage School

Rong Jia Lyla Lin, Stratford Road School

Lloyd Rhee, Stratford Road School

Grade 5

Grace Jung, POBMS

Joseph Lacerenza, POBMS

Joseph Cohen, POBMS

Grade 6

Shayna Argentina, POBMS

Alexis Szabo, POBMS

Ishi Rai, POBMS

“It was truly an honor to see all of the artistic skills and creativity of these students,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “Each year, the students of the POB community amaze us with both their designs and knowledge on what it takes to conserve water every day. During the warmer months, water conservation is of the utmost importance and it is so valuable to have the younger generations grasping what it means to cut back on water use and how to do it.”

Each year, the winners of the poster contest are determined after deliberation from the Board of Commissioners on creativity, design, and overall message of water conservation. This year featured both electronic and in-person design submissions, which led the District to collect more than 300 submissions from students, shattering the previous record of 170 in 2017. The District hosted an award ceremony on June 16^th to honor the three winners from each grade.

“The Plainview Water District strives to instill the importance of water conservation with our residents through our Preserve Plainview initiative,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “This poster contest is an excellent way to educate our young community members on all of the simple, effective ways to make a big impact on saving our aquifers. Every single student who submitted a design should be very proud of themselves for their hard work, creativity, and their dedication to saving water.”

The finalists’ posters from each grade are available for viewing at https://plainviewwater.org/resources/kids-corner/2021-water-conservation-poster-contest-winning-entries/.

A Billion Gallons of Water Being Used to Keep Lawns and Gardens Green

Plainview Water District is Committed to Reducing Irrigation Water Use this Summer

Plainview, NY (May 26, 2021)— With irrigation systems now online and causing the community’s water demand to spike significantly, the Plainview Water District (PWD) is reminding residents of their responsibility to help Preserve Plainview through water conservation. Water usage and customer bills can triple during the summer due to irrigation systems coming online. As much of the water pumped is wasted in the process due to inefficient practices, the District is reminding all residents of the ways they can help to Preserve Plainview and help create a more sustainable water supply.

“Because our sprinkler systems typically go off during the hours we are asleep, most people don’t realize how much water they are using on a daily basis,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Our Preserve Plainview initiative aims to help our residents, not only realize just how much water their irrigation system is consuming to keep their lawn green, but provide them with the tools and tips to accomplish the same goal while using significantly less water.”

Last year, the District pumped more than 1.8 billion gallons of water to meet the needs of the 10,000 families it serves in the Plainview-Old Bethpage community. 1.1 billion gallons were pumped between May and September 2020, with most of that water being pumped between June and August. This spike of water pumpage can almost singularly be attributed to irrigation systems trying to keep up with the summer heat. This increase not only puts a strain on our region’s sole-source aquifer, but it significantly taxes the District’s supply and distribution system immensely as it tries to keep up with demand.

“It is pretty staggering when you look at the data and see how much water is being drawn from the ground to keep our lawns green,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “It is even more eye opening when you think of the massive expense this community shoulders from an infrastructure perspective just to make sure our systems have the capacity to handle this increased demand for this short period of time during the summer. Our goal with the Preserve Plainview initiative is to tell people not to water their lawns, but rather ensure they are doing so in an efficient, responsible manner.”

Installing a smart controller is the single greatest way to conserve a significant amount of water while keeping lawns and gardens healthy. By connecting with local weather stations and adjusting watering schedules based on the forecast, these systems better predict a lawn’s water needs, which is typically only an inch of water per week.

Residents are also urged to follow the Nassau County Lawn Watering Ordinances, which provide optimal times to water your lawn. The ordinance states that even-numbered homes can only water on even-numbered days, while odd-numbered homes can only water on odd-numbered days. Non-numbered homes follow the even-numbered homes schedule. It also states that no lawn watering can be done between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on any day.

The District also has more tips that can help residents promote a healthier lawn and garden this summer while also cutting back on water waste:

• Nassau County’s ordinance also requires rain sensors on every lawn irrigation system. Make sure they are installed on your system and working properly.
• Test your lawn irrigation system’s watering distance so that water is not hitting your house, going into the street, or beyond your property and lawn.
• All hoses for exterior water use must be fitted with a hand-operated automatic-off nozzle valve.
• The hosing of driveways, sidewalks, or streets is prohibited.
• Reduce the amount of time you water during each irrigation zone.
• Consider hiring a reputable lawn irrigation company to make sure your lawn is properly irrigated and that all of your equipment is operating efficiently.

“The adoption of water-saving technology, as well as the implementation of water conservation habits, will significantly reduce your overall water consumption,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Even if everyone in this community contributed to our conservation efforts in the smallest way, collectively they will have an enormous impact. Avoid the sticker shock of second, and, even more importantly, third quarter bills by implementing some of these tips into your daily routine.”

Please be advised that recent activity of monitoring well installation by the Department of Conservation (DEC) is not at all related to your drinking water. Upon recently learning about this work, we contacted the DEC and they have stated they are installing monitoring wells to sample the groundwater at depths of between 150 – 350 feet below grade. For reference, our supply wells are 500 feet or more in depth. These monitoring wells are a good thing as they provide accurate field data for tracking of a legacy spill from the former gas stations on Old Country Road and Plainview Road. The DEC projected any possible impact at over 100 years from now. The Plainview Water District is not involved in this activity, but we are monitoring its progress and will relay any information that is important for our community. Residents should rest assured that these activities DO NOT impact our supply wells and the intended purpose of a monitoring well is to ensure we know well in advance if our production facilities are to one day be impacted so we can prepare accordingly. Again, your water remains as safe as always to drink and its quality is not impacted whatsoever by this activity.

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is committed to ensuring all residents conserve water this summer and one of the ways they can do so is with responsible filling and maintenance of swimming pools. As part of its Preserve Plainview initiative, the District is providing a host of useful tips that will ensure water is not unnecessarily being wasted from a resident’s swimming pool.

“With so many residents in the Plainview-Old Bethpage community having pools, it is important to stay informed about some of the best practices for filling and maintaining their water levels,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Each summer, millions of gallons of water are wasted due to leaks and other inefficient practices. We hope that by raising awareness about some simple measures, we can start reversing this trend and cut down on this unnecessary water waste.”

Recommended Tips for Filling Pools:

• Check for any possible holes or leaks in the liner before filling up.
• Don’t leave the pool unattended when it is being filled. Someone should remain present at all times to avoid overfilling and expedite shut off in case of an emergency.
  • NEVER leave a pool filling overnight.
• Pools should be covered when not in use. Hundreds of gallons of water per month can be lost due to evaporation.
• Only add chemicals to the pool when it is full, and add only what you need according to the pool manual. This will avoid improper levels, which would cause you to empty out and refill the pool.
• As an additional precaution, always use a hose connection vacuum breaker to prevent water flow reversal.
• Always be mindful of children. Ensure your pool is properly fenced and has a pool alarm.

“Recent news reports have stated that the cost of chlorine is increasing and its availability is becoming more scarce,” added Commissioner Laykind. “Following each of these tips could also help out with conserving your chlorine supplies.”

New Treatment System Specifically Designed to Remove 1,4-Dioxane

Plainview, NY (April 27, 2021)—The Plainview Water District (PWD), along with area elected officials, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the recently completed, state-of-the-art treatment facility that was specifically designed to remove the emerging contaminants 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS from the community’s drinking water. Plant 1, located at the District’s headquarters on Manetto Hill Road, is a $7.6 million facility capable of producing up to four million gallons of high-quality drinking water each and every day. The Plainview Water District has emerged as a leader in water treatment and has successfully put more Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) systems in place than any other water supplier on Long Island. 

“This is a significant moment for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community as it marks a major advancement in our abilities to provide our residents with the highest quality water for decades to come,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Even before talks about regulating these new contaminants started, we were working on plans to construct this facility. Here we are, several years later with the project completed, serving water to our customers that is in compliance with some of the strictest regulations in the country. It is a proud day for the water district and our community.”

In August 2020, the New York State Health Department finalized regulations establishing maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for emerging compounds 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS. The District started planning to build this treatment facility in 2018; at the same time the state started discussions about regulating these contaminants. Due to its proactive stance and sound financial planning, the District was able to fund this specific multi-million-dollar investment without impacting rates by using reserve accounts as well as receiving a $2.1 million grant the District was awarded from the state.  

“We are proud to be one of the first water providers to have an operational AOP system and one of the few water suppliers impacted by emerging contaminants that did not need additional time to come into compliance,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “The Plainview Water District has put in a tremendous amount of time and effort to ensure that treatment was in place well before the regulations went into effect. Seeing the fruits of our teams’ labor is truly remarkable, especially when you consider what it means for our community.”

The treatment technology needed to remove 1,4-dioxane is called the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). It works by adding a small amount of an oxidant into the water—in this case hydrogen peroxide—that passes through an ultraviolet light reactor destroying the 1,4-dioxane molecules. From there, the water then travels through Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) filtration—industrial-sized carbon filters—so the remaining detections of the oxidant as well as other volatile organic compounds can be removed before water goes through the rest of the treatment and delivery process. This treatment duo, which is also effective at removing PFOA and PFOS, is the only method approved by state and local health departments to remove these synthetic compounds.

“This has been a herculean effort by our staff and our engineers to bring this facility from drawings into real life,” said PWD commissioner Andrew Bader. “This plant was built for longevity, meaning, over time, it will produce billions of gallons of the highest-quality drinking water for the Plainview-Old Bethpage community. By investing in our water, we are investing in our community for generations to come.”

For more information about emerging contaminants and the steps the District has taken thus far, please visit plainviewwater.org/resources/emerging-contaminants/. If you have questions or seek additional information, please call the District at 516-931-6469 or email info@plainviewwater.org. Residents are also encouraged to 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.

District Offers Homeowners Water- and Money-Saving Tips As Irrigation Season is Set to Begin

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“Outdoor water usage is the single largest contributor to the District’s increased pumpage between May and September,” said Marc Laykind, Chairman of the Plainview Water District. “To accommodate for the increased use, we have to use every bit of our infrastructure to meet demand and that each drop meets all federal, state and local guidelines. If every resident could introduce a new water-saving measure this summer it would go a long way in preserving our most precious natural resource.”

Irrigation clocks that are set in April and then not touched again until they are turned off in the fall are primed to waste thousands upon thousands of gallons of water. This is because a lawn’s water needs are drastically different in April than they are in July. A trick to keep in mind is to set irrigation clocks every time the thermostat is adjusted. A less time-consuming option is to consider technologies such as a rain sensor or a smart controller. Smart controllers replace standard irrigation timers and use Wi-Fi to connect to a local weather station to use data to adjust watering schedules and amounts accordingly.

“We pump more than 100 percent more water in the spring and summer than we do the rest of the year, and it’s essentially all attributed to lawn sprinkler systems,” said Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field. “That is why it is so important for residents to understand how to optimize their home irrigation systems. Their efforts will not only contribute to the long-term sustainability of our aquifer, but it will have a real impact on their second and third quarter water bills.”

Plainview Old-Bethpage residents are also reminded of Nassau County’s Lawn Watering Ordinances, which dictates when homeowners can and cannot water their lawns. The ordinance stipulates that even-numbered homes can only water on even-numbered days, odd-numbered homes can only water on odd-numbered days, and no lawn watering can be done between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on any day.

“There are so many ways to cut back on water usage that might not seem significant, but over time they can amount to big savings,” said Plainview Water District Commissioner Andrew Bader. “No effort is too small to consider as every gallon adds up over time. If you identify an area where you and your family can save water, go for it. The less water we use now, the better shape our aquifer will be for generations to come.”

For Women’s History Month, the Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to honor two members of its management team that play crucial roles in the oversight and management of the District. Commissioner Amanda Field and Business Manager Dina Scott both have important responsibilities in the District’s day-to-day operations and have helped to lead the direction of many of the District’s advances over the past couple of years. 

“It is an honor to serve my community and play an important role in Long Island’s water industry as a female since it has historically been a male-dominated field,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “I am proud of the work that myself and the other amazing women of the Plainview Water District have been able to accomplish over the years and look forward to the continued trend of women entering water-related occupations.” 

Commissioner Amanda Field has served on the board of the PWD since winning her initial election in 2016. As a PWD Commissioner, Field—with her fellow commissioners—has led the District to install state-of-the-art treatment technology to remove 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS ahead of the state’s extremely untenable timeline. She has also been instrumental in launching the District’s Preserve Plainview campaign that aims to bring awareness and educate the many ways residents can protect the region’s sole-source aquifer. In addition, she has spearheaded several initiatives with the local school districts to provide younger generations with a greater appreciation for their community’s most precious natural resource: water. 

Dina Scott, CPA, joined the District in 2017 to assume the role as Business Manager. Ms. Scott uses her more than 16 years of experience in governmental accounting and auditing to oversee all budgetary and financial operations of the District and provides guidance on all related matters. Prior to joining the District, Dina was a supervisor for the well-respected accounting firm where she specialized in governmental services for local municipalities, including local water providers. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from St. Joseph’s College. 

To learn more about the Plainview Water District, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive District updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org and also follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.

Plainview Water District Commissioner Amanda Field

Plainview Water District Business Manager Dina Scott, CPA

Plainview Water District Urges Residents to be Responsible With Lawn Chemicals and Fertilizers 

Plainview, NY (March 11, 2021)—As part of its Preserve Plainview initiative, the Plainview Water District would like to remind residents about the impacts that premature and excessive lawn fertilizing has on our environment and water supply. The District implores all residents to be mindful of the Nassau County “Fertilizer Law” that prohibits fertilizing prior to April 1 of each year.

“You can have a green lawn without over-fertilizing or fertilizing too early in the season,” said Plainview Water District Chairman Marc Laykind. “To help protect our sole-source aquifer and other local waterways, we ask residents to adhere to Nassau County’s fertilizer law to help support our efforts of environmental protection.”

In accordance with Nassau County’s “Fertilizer Law,” all fertilizers are prohibited from being applied before April 1, 2021 and after November 15, 2021. Residents should always apply the minimum amount of lawn chemicals to the soil and make sure they are stored properly. Additionally, all fertilizers or other lawn chemicals must be kept in cool and dry locations inside of containers that are not prone to leaks. By following instructions listed on the packaging, homeowners can minimize the amount of fertilizer used while at the same time limiting the impact on the environment.

“Our weather is unpredictable this time of year and our region always seems to get an end-of-March snowstorm or cold snap,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Applying fertilizers on frozen ground, or right before the ground refreezes, will take the fertilizers off your lawn and into our waterways. Save your money and our environment by ensuring you fertilize at the right time.”

Organic fertilizers—such as cotton seed meal, bone meal and manure—are other examples of effective alternatives to typical fertilizers that will benefit the environment. Biodegradable insecticides that break down to harmless substances in 2-to-21 days are also another effective yet safe way to treat your lawn.

“Purchasing the right type of fertilizer is as important as when you apply it to your lawn,” added PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “We want people to remember that the water we drink comes from beneath our feet so the more chemicals and toxins we put on the ground, the more likely they are to leach into our groundwater. Increased nitrogen levels in our groundwater will require advanced and costly treatment systems to ensure our water remains at the highest quality. This is why we urge people to use natural, organic fertilizers over fertilizers packed with harmful chemicals.” 

Plainview, NY (March 2, 2021)—There aren’t many things more important than water, which is why the Plainview Water District Board of Commissioners would like to remind the Plainview-Old Bethpage community the importance of signing-up and/or confirm their contact information with the District. Ensuring that each resident has provided the District with accurate contact information allows residents to receive emergency notifications about their water service should a situation ever arise.

“The District has the systems in place to immediately reach our residents should a water-related issue occur; however, we can only do so if we have our residents’ up-to-date contact information on file.” said PWD Board Chairman Marc Laykind. “There is nothing more important to us than the well-being of our community and having the ability to quickly inform residents in the event of an emergency is a crucial part of the equation.”

The District’s reverse-911 system, provided by SwiftReach Networks, is capable of delivering urgent messages directly to residents via phone, text or email. By having residents submit their most up-to-date contact information, the District’s reverse-911 system will be able to contact residents and business owners with information regarding water-related emergencies. All information is securely stored in District databases and is only used in the case of an emergency.

To ensure a resident is signed up to receive emergency notifications or to confirm their contact information is accurate, please visit www.plainviewwater.org and fill out the appropriate form under the tab for “Resources” and then “Emergency Notification System.”  The contact information received will only be accessed in the aforementioned circumstances and will be kept confidential. Residents can also update or confirm the information on file by calling the District at 516-931-6469.

Plainview Water District Quick to Repair Any Breaks

The Plainview Water District would like to remind residents that water main breaks occur more often during the winter months, but are a completely normal experience for this time of year. Fortunately, the District has a highly trained staff that is capable of quickly addressing these potentially emergency situations to a degree where nearby residents may not even know a break has

“Water main breaks are an unfortunate reality in any area that experiences extreme cold, and Long Island certainly qualifies,” said Marc Laykind, chairman of the Plainview Water District. “The good news is that we in the Plainview Water District have an experienced staff that responds to breaks 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to minimize any potential interruptions to your water supply as much as possible.”  

As the case with all cold-weather climates, water main breaks are an unfortunate reality as they typically occur when there is movement in the soil surrounding the water pipes or a freeze/thawing condition. Water mains are installed below the frost line; however, when the soil shrinks or swells it places pressure on the pipes causing a break. Though the length of time to repair a leak varies from incident to incident depending on its severity and how quickly the leak can be located, PWD employees are trained to repair all types of breaks efficiently, quickly and safely.

“Water main breaks present an opportunity for residents to experience a drop in water pressure or discolored water,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “Luckily, both of these are temporary as our dedicated crews react quickly to each break and do whatever they can to limit potential interruptions to our residents’ water service while the repair is being made.” 

When water service is restored, residents may notice air in their pipes and the water may be discolored. The discoloration is not harmful, but can stain laundry. If you experience discolored water, let the cold water run from a faucet or tub at the closest area to your incoming service line for a few minutes or until it clears. 

“While we have systems in place to learn about main breaks shortly after they occur, there are situations where they are not easily detected,” said PWD Commission Andrew Bader. “Anytime someone suspects there may be a water main break in their neighborhood, they should never hesitate to contact us and report the situation. The quicker we can locate a break, the quicker we can respond to it, and the quicker the issue can be resolved. While most main breaks are not dire emergencies, they can lead to one if left unattended.”

The Plainview Water District asks for residents’ help in reporting potential main breaks. Residents that notice areas of wetness along the curb, bubbling of water in the roadway or unexplainable icy conditions are encouraged to contact the Plainview Water District immediately at 516-931-6469. 

PWD Chairman Marc Laykind re-elected to serve for three more years

Commissioner Andrew Bader elected chairman of the Long Island Water Conference

Commissioner Amanda Field elected president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association

Plainview, NY (January 19, 2021)—The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce that all three of its commissioners have recently won important elections throughout Long Island’s water industry. Chairman Marc Laykind won his re-election bid to continue serving on the Plainview Water District’s board of commissioners. Additionally, Commissioner Andrew Bader was elected to serve as the chairman of the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC) and Commissioner Amanda Field was elected to serve as the president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association (NSWCA). All three of Plainview’s commissioners now hold leadership roles within Long Island’s water industry.

Commissioner Laykind now enters his 3^rd term as a PWD Commissioner. He has been a part of the Plainview-Old Bethpage (POB) community for over 27 years and, as Chairman, he is committed to ensuring that our public water supply is of the highest quality and affordable for residents. Laykind is an active member of the Long Island Water Conference and Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association. In addition to his water district responsibilities, Laykind is a practicing attorney.

“I personally want to thank all of the Plainview-Old Bethpage residents who continue to put their trust in me to oversee our most precious natural resource,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “I’d also like to congratulate my fellow commissioners, Andrew Bader and Amanda Field, for their appointments to chair the these two highly respected organizations that advance water causes for all Long Islanders. This is big for our District as it not only speaks to the work that we have collectively been able to accomplish here in Plainview, but the impact it has had on Long Island’s water industry as a whole.”

Andrew Bader has proudly served the POB community as Commissioner of the water district since 2010. Mr. Bader has worked tirelessly in his tenure to ensure Plainview residents are served the highest quality water possible while also helping to push for greater conservation measures to preserve this important natural resource for future generations. Commissioner Bader is also the former president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association and a member of the American Water Works Association. By day, Mr. Bader a Vice President at Mercury Tax Service, Inc.

“In addition to my responsibilities as a Plainview Water District commissioner, I am truly honored to hold this leadership role at the Long Island Water Conference and continue to advance the needs of our industry for the betterment of our communities and all the residents of Long Island,” said Commissioner Andrew Bader. “We will continue to work very hard this year and beyond to make sure that all Long Islanders continue to receive the highest quality water.”

Commissioner Amanda Field has served on the board of the PWD since winning her initial election in 2016. As a PWD Commissioner, Field has led several initiatives with the local school districts to provide younger generations with a greater appreciation for their community’s most precious natural resource: water. These efforts have led to a more robust list of opportunities for students of all ages to learn about the operations of the PWD and their water supply. Commissioner Field is also recognized for her leadership role in implementing the District’s Preserve Plainview campaign that aims to bring awareness and educate the many ways residents can protect our region’s sole-source aquifer. During her tenure with both the LIWC and NSWCA, Commissioner Field has worked to educate area elected officials on the issues surrounding the water industry and was instrumental in successfully fighting for the availability of grant funding for new treatment facilities.

“I appreciate the support of my colleagues in the water industry and the confidence they have placed in me to lead the NSWCA for the next year,” said Commissioner Amanda Field. “As president, I will bring the same energy and apply my experiences as a commissioner in Plainview to advocate for the issues impacting all commissioner-run water district’s throughout Long Island including initiatives to improve water quality and access to funding for treatment projects.”

If you have questions about preparing your home’s water system for the winter or general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive District updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org and also follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.

Caption: (L-R) – PWD Commissioners Marc Laykind, Amanda Field and Andrew Bader. 

As the Plainview community prepares for snow in the forecast as we jump into the colder months, the Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to remind its residents about the importance of keeping fire hydrants clear. Ensuring hydrants remain free of snow and any other winter debris can save first responders valuable time during their response to an emergency situation.

“The winter weather arriving always provides us with an opportunity to remind our residents and local business owners of the importance of keeping hydrants clear,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Making sure the fire department has quick and easy access to fire hydrants at all times saves precious moments that should be used to responding to an emergency.”

Residents can “adopt” a nearby fire hydrant to pledge responsibility for reporting issues and making sure it kept clear during snowstorms. Clearing approximately three feet around the hydrant will provide both firefighters with uninterrupted access in case of a potential emergency. This provides plenty of room for the emergency personnel to operate the device as well as locate it.

“You never know when or where an emergency is going to occur so never assume that they fire hydrant in front of your home won’t be needed,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “We also encourage residents to never assume someone else will clear the hydrant so please communicate with your neighbors to ensure it is cleared in a timely fashion.”

In addition, the Plainview Water District asks residents to also consider assisting neighbors, family members and friends who are unable to clear their own fire hydrants without assistance. Residents who leave their homes for the winter season are asked to notify a neighbor who can make sure someone is responsible for clearing it in their absence.

“The safety of our community is always our foremost priority, which is why we are so emphatic about making sure this simple yet vital step is not overlooked,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “We appreciate the attention of our residents on this simple, yet crucial, task.”

If you have questions about preparing your home’s water system for the winter or general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org. Follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.

The cold winter months are upon us and the Plainview Water District would like to provide residents with some helpful tips to prepare their homes’ water system. When exposed to cold weather, water systems that are not properly prepared or winterized can be subject to breaks and/or leaks. Residents are encouraged to utilize these tips to protect their homes from any damage or disruptions caused by frozen pipes.

“Preparing your home’s water system for the colder weather is very simple, but failing to take these steps can cause problems down the road,” said Chairman Marc Laykind. “We ask everyone in the District to use this information as a guide to avoid a big and unnecessary frustration that frozen pipes can cause.”

Outdoor Water Systems:

Don’t forget to turn off those hose spigots from inside the house and leave the outside valves open to prevent freezing. This allows any trapped water to expand in freezing temperatures, preventing the pipe from bursting. Disconnect and drain all hoses and keep in a warm, dry place for reuse in the spring.

Sprinkler Systems:

Sprinkler systems should be winterized to prevent possible leaks and damage to the system. Leaks in sprinkler systems caused by burst pipes can be hard to identify when the systems return back on line, leading to increased water usage and decreased functionality.

Indoor Maintenance:

If a customer’s water service is in the boiler room or basement, check the area for broken windows or drafts. Brisk winds and freezing temperatures can cause pipes and water meters to freeze or break. In preparation, locate the main water shutoff valve in your home in case of an emergency and make sure pipes in unheated areas—like crawl spaces—are properly insulated.

It is also advised that all customers clearly label the main water shutoff valve in their home so they are prepared in the event of a water leak emergency. Shutoff valves are typically located where the water service enters the house through the foundation.

Water Lines Leading to Unheated Structures:

Be sure to shut off and drain service lines leading to any unheated structures until spring to prevent breaks.

If you have questions about preparing your home’s water system for the winter or general inquiries about your water service, please call 516-931-6469 or send an email to info@plainviewwater.org. Customers of the Plainview Water District are also encouraged to sign up to receive updates by visiting www.plainviewwater.org. Follow the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/plainviewwater.

Even with widespread power outages caused by Tropical Storm Isaias, the water in Plainview never stopped flowing

Plainview, N.Y. (September 15, 2020)—The impacts of our region’s hurricane season varies from year to year, but with the impacts already experienced by Tropical Storm Isaias, the Plainview Water District is prepared for any extreme weather event allowing the community to experience zero water service interruptions. Due to the District’s planning and extensive precautionary measures, the community’s drinking water remains protected and never stops flowing, even with widespread and lengthy periods of time without power.

“The District has taken many short-term and long-term planning measures over the past several years that have prepared us to handle any severe weather event,” said Board Chairman Marc Laykind. “We realize that the last thing our residents need in a severe weather event is for their water to stop running. This is why we have taken every proactive action necessary to ensure our community always has access to high-quality drinking water.”

In the event of a power outage, the Plainview Water District has its own emergency electrical generator facilities, which are consistently maintained and always on standby to keep water flowing in case of a severe weather event. These generators keep pumps and treatment facilities online without interruption during a severe weather event. In addition, District staff members are well trained to utilize all emergency equipment as well as handle a diverse list of emergency situations, including the recent tropical storm.

“In the case of any severe weather event, our facilities and staff are prepared to act swiftly around the clock,” added Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Our response plan, which includes the mobilization of emergency response teams, water testing laboratories and water main repair contractors, are always on standby so they can be implemented within a moment’s notice.”

The District is also a member of New York’s statewide Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network (NYWARN) of utilities that supports and promotes statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response and mutual aid for public and private water and wastewater utilities. As a member of NYWARN, neighboring water suppliers from across the state provide emergency assistance when necessary.

“Even though our systems rely on electricity to operate, we do not put all of our eggs in the power company’s basket,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “When needed, like in event where power outages are widespread throughout the region, we can be completely self-sufficient. This is the type of service our residents have come to expect, and frankly, the type of service they deserve.”

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.

Plainview Water District personnel will be conducting preventative maintenance operations on all hydrants district-wide from May 1st to approximately July 31st. This routine annual maintenance of our hydrants helps protect our community’s health and safety. This is not an extensive flushing operation. We will be pressure testing our hydrants and opening them briefly to ensure proper operation and readiness so that they will be fully functional by fire crews if needed.

When maintenance is being performed residents in the immediate vicinity of the work may experience temporary discoloration of their water. This discoloration primarily consists of harmless rust particles and does not affect the safety of the water. If you experience discoloration in your water after crews have been testing hydrants in your neighborhood, it is best to run your cold water tap at the lowest point of your home for 2 minutes or until it clears up.

Questions about hydrant testing can be directed to our customer service representatives by calling 516-931-6469 between the hours of 8am and 4pm Monday – Friday.

As Seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald – January 29 – February 4, 2020

As Seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald – January 15 – 21, 2020

Several talented students at the Plainview-Old Bethpage High School created this video explaining the journey of a drop of water. Watch the video!

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald – December 11 – 17, 2019

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald – November 27 – December 3, 2019

As seen in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald November 20 – 26, 2019

As seen in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald – November 6 – 12, 2019

• Saturday October 19th 10:00am to 1:00pm

As seen in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald August 14 – 20, 2019

As seen in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald August 7 – 13, 2019

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald July 24 – July 30, 2019

As Seen in the Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald June 26 – July 2, 2019

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald – April 24 – 30, 2019

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald April 17 – 23, 2019

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald March 13 – 19, 2019

As seen in The Plainview Old – Bethpage Herald January 30 – February 5, 2019

Plainview Water District receives $373,000.00 Grant for essential infrastructure upgrades

As seen in The Plainview Old – Bethpage Herald January 23 – 29

As seen in the Plainview – Old Bethpage Herald November 14 – 20, 2018

More than 200 pounds of unused drugs were properly disposed of during this event to help maintain the quality of water for our customers.

As seen in Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald November 7 – 13, 2018

Thank you to all who attended our 90^th Anniversary celebration at the Plainview Library on October 3^rd. It was a memorable evening as we were joined by many members of the Plainview Old Bethpage community, as well as a number of our local elected officials.

Many historical photos and documentation from the District are currently on display at the library through October 14^th. The Plainview Library is located at 999 Old Country Road, Plainview.

Click on the photo below to view gallery from the October 3^rd event.

 

As seen in Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald September 26 – October 2, 2018

As seen in Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald August 8 – 14, 2018

As seen in Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald August 1 – 7, 2018

As seen in Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald June 27 – July 3, 2018

As seen in Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald June 20 – 26, 2018

As seen in Plainview-Old Bethpage Herald May 16 – 22, 2018