The District Will Collect Toys for Children Now Through December 15th

In an effort to spread holiday spirit throughout the Plainview-Old Bethpage community, the Plainview Water District (PWD) is once again proud to partner with the Toys for Tots Foundation, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The PWD headquarters, located at 10 Manetto Hill Road, will serve as an official drop-off location for the foundation now through December 15^th. The District encourages residents to donate new and unwrapped gifts to help less fortunate children this holiday season. PWD will also be holding a drive-thru drop off day on December 14^th.

“With so much going on, it’s easy to get caught up in the chaos and overlook the opportunities we each have to brighten someone’s day this holiday season,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “Even a small contribution can make a significant impact in bringing happiness to children who otherwise might not have a festive season. We highly urge members of the Plainview-Old Bethpage community to join us in playing our role in supporting those in our community who need it most.”

New and unwrapped gift donations can be dropped off at the PWD headquarters anytime until Friday, December 15^th. The District will also be holding a drive-thru day on Thursday, December 14^th, where community members can drop off toy donations with extra convenience. Since the District started this partnership several years ago, hundreds of toys have been donated from the community to support local children.

“During the holiday season, it is easy to forget about the world around us and those that may not have the resources we do,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “By doing the simple task of taking part in a Toys for Tots drive, we each have the ability to make someone’s holiday special. It is always terrific to see our Plainview-Old Bethpage community join in the efforts and do their part to pay it forward. We appreciate every single person who comes out to participate in this initiative.”

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve ‘Toys for Tots’ Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide all children across the United States with happiness and joy throughout the holiday season. Through the gift of a new toy, disadvantaged children will not be overlooked during the holidays, and will know that a community of people cares for them.

“The holidays can be an incredibly stressful time for many of us, but by donating an item or two to these children it will not only make their holiday better but shows the strength and kindness of our community,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “We strongly encourage anyone who has the means or ability this year to stop by and support this wonderful cause by dropping off a toy for someone in need.”

The Plainview Water District thanks the community in advance for their generous contribution, and is looking forward to the holidays.

For additional information about the Plainview Water District, 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.

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

The Plainview Water District (PWD) recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the newly completed, state-of-the-art treatment facility that was specifically designed to remove emerging contaminants 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS from the community’s drinking water. Plant No. 2, located on Donna Drive, represents a $4.2 million investment into the community’s drinking water infrastructure that is capable of producing up to two million gallons of high-quality drinking water each and every day. The Plainview Water District is viewed 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 ceremony marks yet another major milestone for the Plainview Water District and our mission to continue delivering high-quality water to the POB community,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “This facility was operational in record time, well before the new water quality regulations went into effect, and that was only made possible by the dedication of the hard work by our staff and engineering team. With its permanent, year-round capabilities, this facility will bolster our ability to continue providing water that meets and exceeds all water quality standards.”

The facility was initially designed to repurpose treatment equipment previously purchased to complete the temporary treatment system installed in 2020. 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. Construction began in November 2021 to redevelop the temporary treatment plant into a year-round facility to treat for these contaminants. This ensured the District remained ahead of the regulatory timelines for emerging contaminants established by the New York State Department of Health, without the need for an extension to remain in compliance.

“This plant was strategically transformed from a temporary facility to a permanent facility to create a long-standing plant that will produce billions of gallons of the highest-quality drinking water over the next couple of decades,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “By continuing to invest in our infrastructure, we are investing in our community for generations to come. The District has put in tremendous effort and resources to create this facility and being able to see the astonishing outcome has truly been remarkable.”

The treatment technology required to remove 1,4-dioxane is called the Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP). This treatment system 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 any 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 1,4-dioxane.

“It was a noteworthy experience to be able to take part in the celebrations for this facility, particularly after getting to witness the PWD’s staff and engineer’s great efforts over the past seven months,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Seeing just part of the hard-work and time that went into the creation and execution of this project was remarkable. We thank all those who had a hand in developing this great facility for our community.”

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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For more information regarding monitoring wells visit: https://plainviewwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/DEC-Monitoring-Wells-FAQ-FINAL-2023-v.3.pdf

District Continues Partnership with Plainview-Old Bethpage School District in Artistic, Educational Activity About Water Conservation

Plainview, N.Y.—The Plainview Water District (PWD), as part of its Preserve Plainview initiative, is proud to announce the winners of this year’s water conservation poster contest. The PWD, in partnership with the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, launches this program every spring for students in the community grades one through six. This poster contest serves as an exciting educational activity to help teach students about the importance of water conservation, while letting them express their own creativity.

“The Plainview Water District thanks all of the students and their teachers for participating and submitting their amazing artwork to our 2023 poster contest,” said PWD Commissioner Laykind. “Every participant puts forth an incredible amount of effort and creativity into their posters, which makes determining a handful of winners so challenging. The District looks forward to continuing this long-standing tradition with the school district as our youth are an incredibly important part in the conservation of our community’s most precious natural resource.”

The winners for this year’s water conservation poster contest are as follows:

• Grade 3
  • Eleanor Chan (Pasadena Elementary)
  • Zachary Sohn (Pasadena Elementary)
  • Zoey Kotchek (Pasadena Elementary)
  • Michael Herschfeld (Pasadena Elementary)
• Grade 4
  • Kaitlyn Chen (Pasadena Elementary)
  • Sharon Cho (Pasadena Elementary)
  • Kiara Bajaj (Pasadena Elementary)
  • Sophie Santoro (Pasadena Elementary)
• Grade 5
  • Jacob Sciaca – POB Middle School
  • Bhargav Shah – POB Middle School
  • Briana Lynch – POB Middle School
  • Elana Alter – POB Middle School
• Grade 6
  • Sophie Menzildjian – POB Middle School
  • Lily Newman – POB Middle School
  • Kaitlyn Wang – POB Middle School
  • Ceylin Tumer – POB Middle School

“It is always an honor to get to work with the POB students and to see the time and originality they put into their entries,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Each year, the students amaze us with their submissions and knowledge on water conservation. The goal of this contest is to continue to educate young members of the community on the ways they can help us Preserve Plainview, so that they can bring these lessons with them into adulthood.”

The winners of the water conservation poster contest are selected after deliberation from the PWD’s Board of Commissioners on categories including creativity, design, and overall message. This year, the District collected submissions from students and the finalists were recognized at an award ceremony, which the PWD held on June 21, 2023 at its headquarters.

“It was a wonderful experience to take part in the District’s annual poster contest and to see the unique designs and hard work that goes into the submissions,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Every student that participated should be incredibly proud of their work. We hope the knowledge they acquired through this effort will help their parents, friends and other community members to be more mindful of their water usage and will lead to them initiating new conservation measures around their home this summer.”

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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As seen in the Bethpage Newsgram March 24, 2023

District Has Been Awarded More Than $34 Million Over the Past Six Years

Plainview, New York—The Plainview Water District was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from Nassau County as part of the American Rescue Plan Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund. The funding will help with costs associated with the design of the state-of-the-art Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment facility at the District’s Plant 2 located on Donna Drive. With this latest award, the Plainview Water District has now secured 10 grants, totaling more than $34 million, over the past six years.

“The Plainview Water District has always been determined in its efforts to secure additional grant funding in order to minimize the cost impact for these infrastructure investments on our residents,” said PWD Commissioner Marc Laykind. “That dedication has resulted and amassed to more than $34-million in additional funding over the past six years. The Board of Commissioners is extremely proud of this great accomplishment by the entire PWD team and is grateful to our elected officials that are making these funding streams available.”

The Plainview Water District continues to execute best practices in relation to financing these projects to ensure funds are being acquired and allocated in the most efficient ways. To date, the District went to bond to finance AOP infrastructure related investments totaling $25.8 million, but has saved taxpayers $7.1 million in future debt service costs by using dedicated reserve funds to finance portions of these projects. Furthermore, the District’s efforts to secure grant funding has saved taxpayers an additional $7.8 million, for a total of $14.9 million.

“Through the committed efforts of the District, the significant amount of funding that we have been able to receive through various grant opportunities has provided a substantial positive impact on the fiscal assets of the PWD,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “The team at the Plainview Water District has remained focused over the years on ensuring our District is making significant strides in acquiring funding from grant opportunities.”

PWD currently has six AOP treatment systems in use across its service territory and has been delivering water treated for emerging contaminants ahead of the new strict water quality standards established by New York State, taking effect in 2020. These systems, when coupled with granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration tanks, are the only approved method of removing 1,4-dioxane from the public drinking water supply. Securing more than $34 million in grant funding has been crucial to absorb the substantial investment associated with constructing the required treatment facilities at impacted plant sites throughout the District.

“It has been a remarkable experience to witness the dedication of our team as they continue to seek out this additional funding for the betterment of our community,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “Our resident’s water quality remains our top priority and the District continues to execute in any efforts that will assist that mission.”

If you have 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.

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Funds Will Cover Costs Associated Directly to the Construction of an Advanced Treatment Facility at Plant 7

Plainview, N.Y. (February 17, 2023)—The Plainview Water District (PWD) is in receipt of a grant award as part of New York State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) totaling $5.4 million. The funding will help with costs associated with constructing a state-of-the-art water treatment facility at the District’s Plant 7 well sites for the removal of emerging contaminants. To date, the Plainview Water District has secured more than $34 million in grants from New York State over the past five years.

“We are thankful to Governor Hochul and the state representatives that have made this funding available as it will help provide our residents with the highest quality water at a lower cost,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind “The Plainview Water District is proud of our actions and the progress we’ve made to complete required treatment systems to remove emerging contaminants, such as 1,4-dioxane and PFAS, from our groundwater. This grant funding allows us to complete these treatment projects while minimizing the financial burden on our residents.”

Construction at Plant 7, located on Washington Avenue, is currently underway and, when completed, represents a $6.8 million investment into the treatment facility. Over the next couple of months, the community will see the treatment facility take shape with an estimated completion date of the fall of 2023. This grant award has been crucial to minimizing financial impacts on residents as the District has been able to reallocate funding sources and use this grant money and its emerging contaminant reserve funds to minimize the amounts borrowed, which will save residents money in future debt costs.

“The significant level of funding we have received from the state to improve treatment facilities throughout the District is much appreciated and will allow us to continue providing the POB community with high quality water for decades to come,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Our team here is extremely proud of the fact that we mobilized to get treatment systems up and running without ever needing a compliance extension for the State’s new regulations. We are appreciative of the continued support from our region’s elected officials.”

The Plainview Water District currently has six advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment systems in use across its service territory and has been delivering water treated for emerging contaminants ahead of the new strict water quality standards established by New York State, which went into effect in 2020. The treatment system, known as the Advanced Oxidation Process, when coupled with granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration tanks, is the only New York State Department of Health approved method of removing 1,4-dioxane from the public drinking water supply. Securing more than $34 million in grant funding has been crucial to absorb a substantial investment associated with constructing the required treatment facilities at impacted plant sites throughout the District.

“It has been a very humbling experience to see all of the details and work that goes into creating a new, state-of-the-art treatment facility and the speed in which these tasks are getting completed,” said PWD Commissioner Michael Chad. “The actions of this board and the District as a whole should provide comfort to every POB resident in the sense that the community’s water quality is our foremost priority. Our current and future residents all benefit from the actions and support happening at this time.”

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. To receive regular updates from the Plainview Water District, please sign up for email updates on the District’s homepage. Don’t forget to stay connected to the Plainview Water District on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PlainviewWaterDistrict. 

While all of us are enjoying the holidays, please know that if a water main break occurs, PWD is on it! Plainview Water District crews work quickly to identify leaks and make the necessary repairs.

Water main breaks occur when the freezing and thawing of soil causes the ground to move and, therefore cause water pipes to break.

If you see water bubbling up from the street, please let us know as soon as possible by reporting it to the District at 516-931-6469.

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Expired or Unwanted Medications are Properly Disposed to Keep from Entering Community’s Aquifer

Plainview, N.Y. (October 27, 2022)—The Plainview Water District (PWD) successfully hosted its fifth annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day and collected more than 300 pounds of unwanted or expired medications. These medications will now be disposed of properly in order to prevent them from making it into the community’s sole-source aquifer for drinking water. This District has now collected and properly disposed of more than 1,400 pounds of medications since it began this annual event five years ago.

“We are pleased to offer this opportunity to POB residents for the past five years,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “The turn out that we see each year shows that there is a need for a service like this in our community. The District is proud and looks forward to continuing to serve and work with residents to come together and protect our shared environment and water supply.”

When someone improperly disposes of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away in the garbage, there is a likelihood that the medications’ contents will ultimately make their way into the community water ways and water supply. If there is an elevated presence of toxins from pharmaceuticals in the groundwater, the District will have no choice but to invest in expensive treatment systems so the contaminants can be removed before they reach customers’ homes.

“Each year, the Plainview-Old Bethpage community continues to join us in participating in our annual Pharmaceutical Takeback Day to help us protect our water source,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “The District is grateful for the continued community-wide involvement and support, as this event would not be successful without it. We thank all of those who participated this year, for helping us protect our environment and water ways with the proper disposal of these medications.”

This year’s Pharmaceutical Take Back Day was once again held in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department. This anonymous, contactless drive-thru event included social distancing and safety protocols which helped the District bolster participation. The event was held at the PWD headquarters at 10 Manetto Hill Road on Saturday, October 22.

“Protecting our shared environment from these potentially harmful substances requires a collective community effort,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “For the past five years, the POB community has continued to show up to participate in the proper disposal of these substances. We continue to surpass the previous year’s collection totals and are thrilled to continue to offer this event annually. Thank you to all that came out to participate!”

For additional information about the Plainview Water District, 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 and Commercial Properties Must Test Their Backflow Devices Annually, Deadline for Test Compliance Submission is December 31, 2022

Plainview, NY (September 12, 2022)—The Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to remind Plainview-Old Bethpage residents and commercial customers that the New York State Health Department (NYSDOH) and Nassau County Health Department require annual testing of backflow devices. This compliance testing must be performed by a certified backflow tester and completed prior to December 31, 2022 to ensure these devices are functioning properly.

“It is crucial to verify that a backflow device is functioning properly to ensure that potentially harmful contaminants are kept out of the POB community’s water system,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Backflow devices keep harmful chemicals like fertilizers, weed killers, and other lawn products from finding their way into the water distribution system water mains should a low-pressure event occur.”

Backflow devices are mechanical double-check valves that prevent water flow from reversing away from a building in the event of a loss of water pressure. A loss in pressure can occur when a fire is being put out or there is a water main break. These devices must be tested annually to make certain they are installed and functioning properly. Residents are required to have a backflow device if they have any of the following: in-ground sprinklers, fire lines, swimming pools, or a private well that is interconnected with the public water supply.

“Practicing prevention is a key component of keeping yourself and your neighbors throughout the POB community safe, as it is impossible to predict when and where an emergency resulting in a drop of pressure may occur,” said Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Testing backflow devices is part of these necessary precautionary and preventative efforts for all customers in our District. If a backflow device is not properly installed, chemicals and other pollutants can potentially and unknowingly infiltrate the community’s water.”

The District encourages all residents and businesses to arrange for a NYSDOH certified backflow tester to conduct their annual backflow test to avoid any potential 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.

“We encourage residents to make this annual backflow testing a priority within their households, as it is such an important aspect of helping us Preserve Plainview,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field “We ask that any POB resident that may have any questions or concerns regarding backflow testing to please reach out to the District, so we can assist you in this important process.”

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.

Water District to Ensure Hydrants Are Operating Correctly as Part of Necessary Maintenance

Plainview, NY (September 1, 2022)—The Plainview Water District would like to inform the community that it has started its annual hydrant maintenance program. The purpose of this important task is to ensure that all of the fire hydrants within the District’s service territory are functioning properly and can supply adequate flow in the case of an emergency.

“Testing hydrants is a vital component of our overall maintenance program to ensure that this infrastructure is operational and available on demand when needed by fire departments and other emergency personnel,” said PWD Board Chairman Marc Laykind. “This routine operation is a major responsibility of ours to protect and preserve the health and safety of the community.”

During this routine maintenance—that is expected to occur through October 31, 2022—the District will perform pressure tests at each hydrant. These tests are performed by briefly opening up the hydrants to check that adequate flow and pressure is available throughout the District’s service territory.

While the hydrant 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 minerals that have built-up in the distribution system over time. Residents can rest assured that it 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 approximately two minutes or until it clears up.

If residents should have any questions about the hydrant testing program, they are encouraged to call our customer service representatives at 516-931-6469 between the hours of 8am and 4pm Monday – Friday.

As seen in the Nassau Observer June 22 – June 28, 2022

District Continues Partnership with Plainview-Old Bethpage School District on Fun, Educational Activity Teaching Youth About Water Conservation

Plainview, NY (June 14, 2022)—  The Plainview Water District (PWD), as part of its Preserve Plainview initiative, is proud to announce the winners of this year’s water conservation poster contest. The PWD, in partnership with the Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, launches this program every spring for students in the community grades one through six. This poster contest serves as a fun and educational activity to help teach students about the importance of water conservation and the preservation of our sole-source aquifer, while letting them express their own creativity.

“Each year we partner with the POB Central School District in this important effort. We are always impressed by the creativity the students of this community put into their water conservation posters,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “It’s challenging to pick only a handful of winners out of all the submissions because you can see the effort and thought that went into each and every one of them. We look to continuing this long-standing tradition with the school district as our youth are extremely important in the protection and conservation of our community’s most precious natural resource.”

The winners for this year’s water conservation poster contest are as follows:

Grade 1:

            Anthony Maffia, Tatum Hordos – Old Bethpage School

Grade 2:

            Kailyn Flores – Old Bethpage School

Grade 3:

            Molly Lowenfeld – Old Bethpage School

            Michelle Li – Judy Jacobs Parkway School  

            Michael Marchello – Judy Jacobs Parkway School              

Grade 4:

            Mia Lee – Old Bethpage School

            Noelle Reilly, Ashley Dunbar, Taylor Farrelly – Old Bethpage School

            Idina Hordos, Alyssa Fogel – Old Bethpage School

Grade 5:

            Patrick Dolan – Mattlin Middle School

            Andrew McLaughlin – Mattlin Middle School

            Isabella Sofia Eagle – Mattlin Middle School

Grade 6:

            Sarah Guo – Mattlin Middle School

            Nadia Lin – POB Middle School

            Heather Glykos – Mattlin Middle School

“It is an honor to once again see all the wonderful and inspiring artwork created by the Plainview-Old Bethpage students,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “As the community’s water supplier, it is gratifying to see the younger generations taking such an interest in cutting back on water usage. It is clear that the children of this community truly grasp the importance of water conservation.”

The winners of the water conservation poster contest are selected after deliberation from the PWD’s Board of Commissioners on categories including creativity, design, and overall message. This year, the District collected 159 submissions from students and the finalists were recognized at an award ceremony, which the PWD held on June 9, 2022 at its headquarters.

“Educating young members of the community on the ways they can help us Preserve Plainview is priceless because these are lessons that they will hopefully take with them well into adulthood,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Every single student who entered this year’s poster contest should be proud of themselves for their creativity and hard work. We hope the knowledge they acquired through this effort will help their parents, relatives and other members of the community be more mindful of their water usage and will lead to them initiating new conservation measures around their home this summer.”

For more information about water conservation, please visit the PWD website at www.plainviewwater.org/conservation/preserve-plainview. 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 Will Receive More Than $19.2 Million in Additional Funding for Water Treatment Infrastructure Projects

The Plainview Water District (PWD) was recently awarded an additional $19.2 million in funding as part of New York State’s Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA). To date, these awards are the largest round of WIIA grant funding since the program was created in 2017 with a total of more than $638 million statewide and more than $250 million to Long Island alone. The Plainview Water District has now secured in excess of $28 million in grants from New York State over the past five years to help alleviate costs associated with constructing state-of-the-art water treatment facilities to remove emerging contaminants.

“We are thankful to Governor Hochul and the state representatives that have made this funding available so we can continue our mission of providing our residents with the highest quality water possible,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “The Plainview Water District is proud of the significant progress we have made on our treatment facilities and are thrilled that 100 percent of this grant money will be used to cover costs associated with past and present infrastructure improvements to treat emerging contaminants.”

The Plainview Water District currently has six advanced oxidation process (AOP) treatment systems in use across its service territory. These systems, when coupled with granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration tanks, are the only approved method of removing 1,4-dioxane from the public drinking water supply. Securing over $28 million in grant funding has been crucial to help absorb some of the costs to construct treatment facilities at impacted plant sites throughout the District.

“We have been relentless in our pursuit of constructing new treatment facilities to improve our public water system as well as identifying every possible avenue for funding,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “We appreciate the significant investment New York State is making into the Plainview-Old Bethpage community, and we are certainly grateful for their assistance in ensuring we are in the position to continue delivering high quality water to our residents.

The Clean Water Infrastructure Act of 2017 seeks to invest $2.5 billion in wastewater and drinking water projects and water quality protection across New York State. It provides at least $1 billion for the New York State WIIA, which assists municipalities in funding water quality infrastructure. To date, $775 million in Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and Intermunicipal Grant funding supports nearly $2.7 billion in total project costs for vital drinking and wastewater infrastructure projects statewide.

“We are very appreciative of all of the support from our region’s elected officials for prioritizing the funding needed to lower the capital costs of these infrastructure investments,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “This is exciting news for the Plainview community as current and future residents will continue to enjoy water that meets or surpasses some of the strictest water quality standards in the nation for generations to come.”

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

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.

“We want residents to enjoy their green lawns, but we want to make sure that they are being kept green in the most environmentally friendly way possible that complies with the rules and regulations of the county,” said Plainview Water District Chairman Marc Laykind. “To help protect our sole-source aquifer and other local water ways, we ask residents to adhere to Nassau County’s fertilizer law to help support our efforts of improving groundwater quality and protecting our environment.”

In accordance with Nassau County’s “Fertilizer Law,” all fertilizers are prohibited from being applied before April 1, 2022 and after November 15, 2022. 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, limit the amount that runs off into the ground and into our sewer systems so the impact to the environment can be kept to a minimum.

“Our weather is unpredictable this time of year and our region always seems to get some spring-like weather one day and then get hit with 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 water ways. 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 they leach into our groundwater. When levels of nitrogen increase in our groundwater, the only option we have is to invest in treatment to ensure those elevated groundwater levels are not reflected in our drinking water. This is why we urge people to use natural, organic fertilizers at the right times rather than fertilizers packed with harmful chemicals.” 

Residents Opting to Install Home Filtration Systems Should Perform Routine Maintenance

For 95 years, the Plainview Water District has prided itself on its ability to routinely serve the Plainview-Old Bethpage community with nothing but the highest quality water possible. To do so, the District has and continues to invest in infrastructure improvements for water treatment and delivery as well as maintaining aggressive sampling and testing procedures that often go above and beyond required testing parameters.

“The men and women of the Plainview Water District are dedicated to this community and share a common goal of ensuring our residents continue to receive water that meets or surpasses all established water quality standards,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “In our opinion, home filtration systems are not necessary, mainly because our treatment systems already do so much more than what a standard residential water filter can provide. Those with questions about their water quality should feel free to contact us at any time or browse through the water quality reports and other fact sheets available on our website.”

There are many companies and organizations that try to use scare tactics in getting residents to purchase expensive water filters for their home that may ultimately have no impact on their water quality. Treatment is performed, as needed, at each of the District’s supply wells to ensure regulatory compliance with all federal, state and local standards. Each one of the District’s treatment facilities are designed by professional engineers and approved by the state and local health departments. New York State Health Department Certified Water Plant Operators are employed by the District to operate and maintain the water treatment systems. Water system operations are also monitored 24/7/365 to ensure treatment remains continuous and functions as it was designed.

“As a District, we are very fortunate to be working with some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the water treatment field,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “With something as important as water is to our daily lives, quality assurance is our most crucial task. Each component of our supply, treatment and distribution system is meticulously monitored, checked and verified so our residents can have peace of mind when it comes to the quality of their tap water.”

The Plainview Water District is required to test all its supply wells and various locations in the distribution system for more than 144 different parameters, including volatile and synthetic organic chemicals, inorganics, metals, bacteria, pesticides and herbicides. These tests are conducted by an independent, state-certified laboratory with results sent directly to officials at the Nassau County Health Department, who also conduct regular spot checks on their own. Results of these tests are published each year in the District’s annual drinking water quality report.

If a resident is considering the installation of a home water filter, please note that home filtration systems must be properly designed and maintained to the manufacturers’ specifications.  Failure to do so could actually make water quality worse. Any water quality testing that is performed in your home must be completed by a New York State Health Department certified laboratory for drinking water.  A home test kit will often provide grossly inaccurate results.

“Our water is disinfected with chlorine to proactively inhibit bacteriological development within our drinking water distribution system,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Should residents find the chlorine taste and odor to be objectionable, a granular activated carbon filter (GAC) can be used to help remove taste and odor. With that said, the District already utilizes GAC treatment at most of our well sites so any carbon filter will simply be removing the chlorine. Keep in mind that filling a glass pitcher of water and leaving it in the refrigerator overnight will allow the chlorine to dissipate and provide a similar result.”

If a resident is inclined to purchase a home filtration system, please know that there are many different types and functionalities.  The EPA and State Health Department do not endorse specific units and do not conduct independent testing of manufacturer’s claims. There are three different certifications to look for on the label.  These organizations include NSF International (NSF), Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Water Quality Association (WQA). If a home water treatment unit is not certified by one of these organizations, contact the manufacturer directly and ask for proof of the manufacturer’s claims specifically regarding the contaminants that concern you. Each of these organizations is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and they each certify units using ANSI/NSF standards.

It is also incredibly important for residents to understand that there are no approved residential filtration systems capable of removing 1,4-dioxane from drinking water. To combat this issue, the District is investing more than $50 million in infrastructure improvements to build these required treatment systems. The District currently leads all Long Island water providers with having six Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) treatment systems already in operation.

Stay Informed in Case of a Water-Related Emergency

Water is the most precious natural resource there is, and it is extremely important in everyday life. The Plainview Water District (PWD) Board of Commissioners would like to remind the Plainview-Old Bethpage community of the importance of signing up and/or confirming their contact information with the District. This accurate contact information allows residents to receive emergency notifications about their water service in case a situation should ever occur.

“The Plainview Water District has the necessary systems in place to immediately reach our residents if a water-related emergency were to occur, however, we can only do so if we have the up-to-date contact information,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “The well-being of our community is extremely important to all of us at the District, and being able to inform our residents as quickly as possible of a water emergency is crucial.”

The PWD utilizes a reverse-911 system, provided by SwiftReach Networks, which is capable of delivering urgent messages directly to residents via phone call, text, or email. Once a resident or local business owner submits their up-to-date contact information, the system will be able to contact them with information regarding a water-related emergency in their area. All contact information is securely stored in PWD databases and will only be 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 https://plainviewwater.org/resources/emergency-notification/ and fill out the appropriate form. The contact information received will only be accessed in the aforementioned circumstances of a water-related emergency and will be kept confidential. Residents can also update or confirm the information on file by calling the District at (516) 931-6469.

Permanent Treatment Facility for the Removal of 1,4-Dioxane Underway at Donna Drive Facility

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce that it has begun construction on a new, state-of-the-art treatment facility at its water production site located on Donna Drive in Plainview. This new facility will house treatment equipment necessary for the removal of 1,4-dioxane from the groundwater, including advanced oxidation process (AOP) system and granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. This permanent facility will replace the temporary system installed in 2020, which enabled the District to remain ahead of the compliance timelines for emerging contaminant treatment established by the New York State Department of Health.

“The District has been steadfast in our infrastructure investment program as our commitment to serving Plainview-Old Bethpage residents with the highest quality of water never waivers,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Breaking ground on this facility is another important milestone for our community as this plant will continue to produce the highest quality water possible for generations to come.”

On August 26, 2020, the New York State Health Department finalized regulations establishing maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for emerging compounds 1,4-dioxane, PFOA and PFOS. This action made New York the first state in the country with an enforceable MCL for 1,4-dioxane. To ensure the District was ahead of the compliance curve with the new regulation, they embarked on an aggressive capital plan and installed a temporary treatment system—containing both AOP and GAC. Knowing a permanent facility would be coming in short order, the District and its engineers designed the temporary system in a way that the systems components would seamlessly integrate into the permanent facility.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure we met the new compliance standards well ahead of them going into effect, and that required a lot of planning and foresight by our engineers to put the pieces of this giant puzzle together,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “Right now, this well site is seasonal, meaning it can only be used during the summer months when pumpage is at its peak. However, with the permanent facility, it will have the ability to operate year-round and provide our supply and distribution system with additional capacity.”

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 GAC filtration vessels 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 1,4-dioxane from drinking water.

“The investments the District has made and will continue to make have both an immediate and lasting impact on the Plainview-Old Bethpage community,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Upgrading existing and building new treatment facilities are expensive, but its needed, which is why we have concentrated so much of our efforts in getting these systems up and running quickly, while also ensuring we are doing it in the most cost-effective manner possible. We look forward to welcoming this new facility to the POB community in the fall.”

Across Long Island, it is estimated that more than $840 million in capital investments with an additional $50 million per year in increased operating and maintenance costs will be needed to treat all impacted wells. The Plainview Water District is considered a regional leader in these efforts as they have six AOP systems currently up and running, which is the most of any water provider on Long Island. To help alleviate the costs associated with constructing the new systems, the District has been awarded nearly $9 million in infrastructure grant funding from New York State to construct the necessary AOP treatment facilities.

Field Served as President for the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association During 2021

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce that Commissioner Amanda Field recently won an award from the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association (NSWCA) for her tenacity in moving the organization’s mission forward during her time as president. In addition to her duties at the PWD, Commissioner Field was instrumental in being a central voice for Long Island water providers as they overcame many challenges presented throughout 2021.

“It is truly an honor to have my dedication to the quality of Long Island’s water be recognized by the members of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners’ Association,” said Commissioner Amanda Field. “I could not be prouder to serve as this organization’s president for the past year and for all of the accomplishments this organization has had in another year with unprecedented circumstances.

As President of the NSWCA, Commissioner Field initiated various many different endeavors to further advance the objectives of the organization. She initiated the development of a detailed press kit with an array of information designed to inform key stakeholders, such as State, County and Town officials, about the advances being made in the water industry, particularly from a treatment perspective. Field also lead the charge with the New York State Department of Civil Service to secure new test availability for water supplier staffs. In addition, Amanda was steadfast in better understanding how water suppliers in the region could access funding through the America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Lastly, Field was instrumental in serving as a liaison between the NSWCA and the Long Island Water Conference (LIWC), as well as the Clean Water Coalition.

Amanda Field has served on the PWD Board of Commissioners since winning her initial election in 2016. In her role as Commissioner at the PWD, she led several initiatives with the local school districts to provide younger generations with a greater understanding and 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 conserve water and protect our region’s sole-source aquifer.

The Plainview Water District (PWD) recently held its swearing-in ceremony to commemorate Commissioner Andrew Bader’s reelection to the Board of Commissioners for another three years. Commissioner Bader, who first started serving on the Board in 2010, has been committed to serving the Plainview-Old Bethpage residents.

“It is truly an honor to continue having the support of our residents for this position,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “I take my responsibilities very seriously. The District has been and will continue to embark on the most significant infrastructure projects in our more than 90-year history and I sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence this community has shown me. My fellow commissioners, Marc Laykind and Amanda Field, and I will never stop working for the betterment of our community’s water system.”

During his tenure, Commissioner Bader has helped advocate for more widespread adoption of several important water conservation measures to preserve the community’s most precious natural resource. Commissioner Bader has also been instrumental in spearheading the District’s efforts on emerging contaminant treatment that has positioned the District as a leader in this island-wide endeavors.

“I am proud of the advancements the District has taken and will continue to make in constructing necessary treatment facilities now and for our future generations,” added Commissioner Bader. “The District has been extremely aggressive in pursuing our capital infrastructure investments, which have led to the successful installation of a region-leading six advanced oxidation process systems for the removal of 1,4-dioxane.”

Commissioner Bader has also served on several different positions within Long Island’s water industry, including holding the position of chairman of the Long Island Water Conference, president of the Nassau Suffolk Water Commissioners Association and a proud member of the American Water Works Association.

Plainview Water District Collects a Mountain of Toys to Support the Foundation

Plainview-Old Bethpage continues to show its generosity year in and year out by contributing to the Toys for Tots Foundation. As it has done in years past, the Plainview Water District (PWD) proudly partnered with the Toys for Tots Foundation, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. This year, over 100 toys were collected by the District.

“We are consistently impressed each year with the kindness and participation shown by the members of our community during the holiday season,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Despite all of the challenges of the past year, we had an excellent turnout. These contributions are so valuable in making certain the holiday season is special for so many others. We look forward to continuing to support the Toys for Tots Foundation next holiday season.”

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve ‘Toys for Tots’ Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide all children across the United States with happiness and joy throughout the holiday season. Through the gift of a new toy, disadvantaged children will not be overlooked during the holidays, and will know that a community of people cares for them.

The Plainview Water District thanks the community again for their generous contribution during this holiday season.

New Water Rates Go into Effect on January 1, 2022

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is in the process of investing more than $54.5 million as part of its 5-year capital plan to improve the community’s drinking water infrastructure and construct required, state-of-the-art treatment systems needed to remove emerging contaminants such as 1,4-dioxane. In order for the District to remain financially secure and perform these required tasks, additional revenues are needed to pay for these investments and the significant increased operating costs associated with them. For the average resident using 30,000 gallons of water per quarter, the new rates will result in an increase of $8.82 per quarter or $2.94 per month.

“The District has recently been in a very favorable financial position, so we have been able to hold the line on rates the past four years despite millions of dollars already spent and committed to critical infrastructure projects,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “It is the District’s duty to serve the highest quality water possible to our residents, and this rate increase is needed for us to carry out that mission. We continue to do what we can to find alternative sources of funding, whether it be from grants or litigation against the polluters and chemical manufacturers. For the time being, this is an action we must take to continue improving the drinking water we provide to our customers.”

Aside from the staggering capital costs associated with building Advanced Oxidation Process treatment facilities, which are needed to remove 1,4-dioxane, the District’s operating budget associated with running these facilities has increased significantly. The District’s electricity costs alone have increased by more than a half million dollars per year due to the significant demand for power these systems require.  

“Over the past couple of years, we have done everything we can to find efficiencies in our operations and work to stretch our existing budgets as much as possible,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “Due to our awards of grant funding, financial planning and use of reserve funds, we have been able to prolong the need for this rate increase until now. We know our residents appreciate all that we are doing to improve water quality within the community, and we hope they understand the need for these minimal rate increases as a result.”

As 2021 began, the District employed the services of a third-party consultant that specializes in municipal water district rate structures. The District tasked the consultant to calculate the revenues needed while reducing the impact to residents as much as possible. As a result, the District was able to remain within the tax cap while implementing a modest increase to each of the District’s rate tiers as well as create an additional conservation tier. The two conservation rate tiers, which start for customers using more than 126,000 gallon per quarter, are aimed at incentivizing these residents to use less water, which, in turn, helps the District save on various operating expenses while also promoting water conservation.

“In terms of usage, the top three percent of customers who consume more than 130,000 a quarter will experience an estimated increase of $29, where our lower users, those using approximately  20,000 per quarter, will experience an increase of $5.72. Minimum bills are only going up $2 per quarter,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Implementing water conservation tactics, such as replacing your standard irrigation timer with a smart irrigation controller, is the best way for residents to offset these increases. Conserving water will reduce resident bills and also lower our operating expenses. Conservation is a win-win scenario.”

The colder winter months are here, and soon there will be snow in the forecast. The Plainview Water District (PWD) would like to stress the importance of keeping fire hydrants across the Plainview-Old Bethpage community clear of snow and other winter debris. Hydrants that remain free of snow can save first responders precious time when responding to an emergency situation.

“The arrival of more consistent cold weather provides for a great opportunity to remind our residents about the important responsibility they have of ensuring hydrants are kept clear this winter,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “As a community, we owe it to our dedicated firefighters to make sure they always have quick and easy access to fire hydrants at all times. Every moment counts when responding to an emergency, so please keep your hydrants clear.”

Residents are encouraged to “adopt” a nearby hydrant so there is a dedicated person responsible in keeping it clear during a snowstorm as well as reporting any potential issues. Clearing three feet of snow around the hydrant will allow firefighters to not only identify their locations with ease, but also provide uninterrupted access during a potential emergency.

“An emergency can occur at any point, so we encourage all of our residents to never assume the fire hydrant in front of their home won’t be needed,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “All residents are asked to speak with their neighbors before the snow starts to fall so there is no question about who will be taking responsibility for clearing the hydrant in a timely fashion.”

The District is also asking its residents to consider providing assistance to any friends, family members, or neighbors who are not able to clear their own hydrants. Those who leave their homes for the winter season are asked to please notify a neighbor who can ensure a hydrant is still cleared in their absence.

“Our community’s safety is our top priority at all times, and the District wants to ensure this simple, yet important step is never overlooked,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “All of us at the Plainview Water District appreciate the attention our residents pay to this crucial task and thank them in advance for doing their part in protecting our community.”

Plainview Water District Responds Urgently to Any Water-Related Emergency

The Plainview Water District (PWD) knows the last thing its community wants during this time of holiday cheer is a water main break, but they are inevitable given the upcoming frigid temperatures. As the winter weather continues to set in, main breaks can become a more common occurrence, but the District is prepared to respond quickly and effectively to minimize the disruption to its residents.

“Water main breaks are inevitable in any region that experiences temperature fluctuations throughout the winter,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “While it is impossible to predict when and where a main break will occur, the Plainview Water District is prepared to respond to them at all hours in order to reduce the potential interruptions to our residents’ water service.”

As the case with all cold-weather climates, water main breaks are an unfortunate reality. Water main breaks typically occur when there is movement in the soil around water pipes or a freeze/thawing condition. Water mains are installed below the frost line; but, when the soil shrinks or swells, it increases pressure on the pipes causing a break. Though the length of time to repair a leak is different for each individual break due to location and severity, all PWD employees are trained to repair all types of breaks efficiently and quickly.

“The District is so proud to have some of the most hardworking and dedicated staff in the industry,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “As soon as the PWD is alerted of a break, a team is dispatched immediately to minimize disruptions and perform the repair in an expeditious manner.”

For Plainview-Old Bethpage residents, the PWD encourages residents to be on the lookout for any water main breaks. Residents that notice a significant reduction in the water pressure from faucets, areas of wetness along the curb, bubbling of water in the roadway, or any unexplainable icy conditions are encouraged to contact the Plainview Water District immediately at 516-931-6469.

“The District has systems in place that are effective at quickly identifying main breaks, but there are situations where they cannot be detected right away,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “If a resident suspects there may be a water main break in their neighborhood, we urge them to contact the PWD right away and report the situation. Once a break is located, it can be repaired quickly.”

Water main breaks may also result in residents experiencing air in their pipes and/or discolored water. Water discoloration is not harmful for consumption, but can stain laundry. If you experience discolored water, please let the cold water run from a faucet or tub at the closest area to your incoming service line for approximately three minutes or until it clears.

Award Given for Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) Pilot Studies

District Leads Long Island with Six AOP Treatment Systems Installed

The Plainview Water District (PWD) is proud to announce it has received the Gold Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York for their Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) pilot studies done in conjunction with their consulting engineers from H2M architects + engineers. This award represents all of the hard work the PWD has put in over the past several years in piloting AOP treatment systems to treat the community’s drinking water for the emerging contaminant 1,4-dioxane. The initial pilot studies completed have now culminated into the District having six AOP systems up and running in record time.

“Receiving the Gold Engineering Excellence Award is a testament to the dedication from everyone here at the Plainview Water District and our consultants at H2M architects + engineers,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Our commitment to the rapid installation of AOP treatment systems to ensure the safety of our residents’ drinking water has been second to none these past few years. We are truly honored to have the recognition from ACEC New York for our collective efforts.”

Before installing the new AOP water treatment technology, water providers were required to test the efficacy of the treatment systems by conducting pilot studies on each impacted wells. These studies and the data generated were instrumental in allowing the District to quickly construct full-scale AOP treatment systems. This award further cements the PWD as a leader in this island-wide treatment endeavor as the information collected during the pilot period was instrumental to the deployment of AOP systems throughout the District.

“All of us at the Plainview Water District are committed to not only distributing the highest quality water possible, but being leaders in water treatment,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “From my fellow commissioners and staff as well as our engineers, this award is a reflection on our team and speaks volumes to their dedication to keeping the water flowing safely and efficiently in Plainview-Old Bethpage.”

The most recent AOP system to come online, at Plant 3 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 PWD now has the ability to treat over 11 million gallons of water every day for 1,4-dioxane. The District had planned these treatment facilities back in 2018, two years before these regulations were put into effect. Due to their efforts, the PWD was able to ensure all water being distributed to the community was in compliance with the maximum contaminant level (MCL) regulations before they went into effect.

“Our team here at the PWD has been nothing short of spectacular in getting these facilities up and running as quickly as they did,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Our District has always been committed to making the necessary investments to benefit the community, but this recent wave of infrastructure needs was certainly unprecedented in both size and scope. We are honored to have this award to recognize all of the progress we have made.”

Since 2017, the Plainview Water District has been awarded over $9 million in infrastructure grant money in order to build these necessary AOP treatment facilities. The removal of 1,4-dioxane from wells across Long Island is estimated to cost $840 million in capital investments with an additional $50 million per year in increased operating and maintenance costs.

Simple Steps to Protect Against Freezing Pipes and Related Disruptions

The heart of the winter will be here before you know it and, as it does every year, the colder weather can wreak havoc on a home’s water system if it isn’t properly prepared. The Plainview Water District (PWD) wants all residents are prepared for the coming temperature drop by ensuring they have the tools and tips to properly protect their water systems this winter.  

“There are fairly simple tips to prepare your home’s water system for the cold winter months, but failing to do so can have some costly consequences if areas in your home are not protected,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “When water systems are not adequately winterized, they become subject to breaks and/or leaks when exposed to stretches of cold weather. By following these tips, our residents can help themselves avoid the grief and expense that frozen pipes can bring.”

All Plainview-Old Bethpage residents are encouraged to use these tips to help avoid any damage caused by frozen pipes:

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.

District Headquarters to Serve as an Official Drop-Off Location for the Charitable Foundation

In order to spread holiday spirit throughout the Plainview-Old Bethpage community, the Plainview Water District (PWD) is once again proud to partner with the Toys for Tots Foundation, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The PWD headquarters, located at 10 Manetto Hill Road, will serve as an official drop-off location for the foundation. The District encourages residents to donate new and unwrapped gifts to help less fortunate children,

“With so facing difficulties throughout this last 18 months or so, many of our neighbors could really use a lift in spirits this holiday season,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “Even the smallest gift donation can go a long way with a child who would otherwise be left out during the holidays. We encourage all those able to support this program in Plainview-Old Bethpage to help us bring some joy to children in need this year.”

New and unwrapped gift donations can be dropped off at the PWD headquarters beginning on Monday, November 1 until Friday, December 10. Since the District started this partnership several years ago, hundreds of toys have been donated from the community to support this cause.

The U.S. Marine Corps Reserve ‘Toys for Tots’ Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide all children across the United States with happiness and joy throughout the holiday season. Through the gift of a new toy, disadvantaged children will not be overlooked during the holidays, and will know that a community of people cares for them.

The Plainview Water District thanks the community in advance for their generous contribution.

Expired or Unwanted Medications are Properly Disposed to Keep from Entering Community’s Sole-Source Aquifer

The Plainview Water District (PWD) successfully hosted its fourth annual Pharmaceutical Take Back Day and collected over 320 pounds of unwanted or expired medications. These medications will now be disposed of properly in order to prevent them from making it into the community’s sole-source aquifer for drinking water. This District has now collected and properly disposed of more than 1,100 pounds of medications since it began this annual event four years ago.

“Each year, we are so pleased to offer this opportunity to our residents as the turn out clearly represents a need for this type of service,” said PWD Chairman Marc Laykind. “The District’s Preserving Plainview initiative is important and we are so proud of the embrace it has had within the community. We look forward to continuing the offering of this event every year that provides so much benefit to our environment and water supply.”

When someone improperly disposes of prescription and over-the-counter medicines, such as flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away 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 invest in expensive treatment systems so the contaminants can be removed before they reach customers’ homes.

“The response from the Plainview-Old Bethpage community has been tremendous by the amount of pharmaceuticals disposed of this year,” said PWD Commissioner Amanda Field. “We continue to surpass the previous years’ collections totals and that is very encouraging that more and more residents see the importance of their proper disposal. Thank you to all those who took time out of their day to participate!”

This year’s Pharmaceutical Take Back Day was once again held in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department. This anonymous, contactless drive-thru event included social distancing and safety protocols which helped the District bolster participation. The event was held at the PWD headquarters at 10 Manetto Hill Road on Saturday, October 23.

“Protecting our water source from any potential harmful substances is something that requires a community-wide effort and one that this community has time and time again embraced,” said PWD Commissioner Andrew Bader. “Our environment and our waterways are in better shape due to those who participated this year and we look forward to seeing them and more of their neighbors next year.”

For additional information about the Plainview Water District, 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.

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