Craig Johnson

Written by Rich Forestano

Senator Johnson Wants More Answers From Water Authority of Western Nassau
There have been reports from Elmont residents to Senator Craig Johnson’s office recently of dark, colored water coming from their pipes and concerns of contamination have become prevalent. Recently, Johnson ordered representatives of the Water Authority of Western Nassau County to participate in a local water quality hearing to gauge the effect that water contamination has had on the community. Johnson’s goal is to map out what steps should be taken to resolve the issue. On May 17, Johnson, members of both the Elmont community and the Water Authority were in attendance at the Elmont Public Library to discuss the issue.

The Water Authority oversees 24 water wells in Nassau County, seven of which are in Elmont. Three (15B, 44A, 44C) of the seven wells have been contaminated. But the wells that have been contaminated are where the “raw water” plumes surface before treatment. The water is then treated, before being distributed throughout the community.

Well 15B is located on Elmont Road, a half-mile south of Hempstead Turnpike, 44A and 44C are both located off Chelsea Street in Elmont, behind Home Depot on the north side of the turnpike.

The pipe system in Nassau County is over 90 years old with the oldest running under Floral Park. Elmont’s pipe system age ranges from the 1940s and late 1950s, according to the Water Authority. However, the Water Authority rehabilitates the wells on an ongoing basis. The pipes however, are flushed on a yearly basis.

Over 60 Elmont residents attended the hearing and wanted answers. Three local civic association presidents were on hand to address the issue of the water quality in their respective areas.

The Water Authority said Elmont’s water has high iron content, but is safe to drink, passing all state and federal tests. It also announced that two new iron removal stations would be built in Elmont to help clean the water. It was estimated that it would cost $5 million to build the removal stations.

“We were aware of the iron problem,” Water Authority Chairman John E. Ryan said. “It’s naturally occurring iron. We’re working on it. We just went out for a bonding and we will put the money in place. We’ll get that done within the year.”

According to the Water Authority, it uses air-stripping towers to treat the water. The water goes into towers and circular objects nicknamed “golf balls” break up the water and at the bottom of the tower, there are air-blowers that take the pollution out.

The civic representatives on the panel said they constantly hear complaints from Elmont residents. Furthermore, that nothing has been done about it surprises them even more. Argo Civic Association President Mimi Pierre-Johnson said she’s concerned with the safety of her 3-year-old son and the fact that when he bathes, like any child, he drinks the water in the tub.

“Shouldn’t the Water Authority make sure that the water they provided is without reproach,” Pierre-Johnson said. “I believe we have the right to clean water. This is not a new problem. It’s an ongoing issue.”

Pierre-Johnson is one of dozens of angry Elmont residents who said they’ve complained for years to the Water Authority about the problem. The light shed on this situation could prompt the Water Authority to address the issue as soon as possible, like a bond for funds to fix the issue, like Ryan said.

“I don’t know what to do anymore,” East End Civic President Patrick Nicolosi said. “In fact, a couple of months ago, I was flushing the toilet and brown water came up after the water went down and I thought perhaps maybe one of the pipes busted. It wasn’t. Get me clean water. It’s simple.”

Chief Engineer of the Water Authority Robert Swartz addressed Senator Johnson and the community on the concerns that surfaced during the meeting and stated, more than once, that it was never brought to his attention that Elmont’s water had sediment issues. Swartz has been with the Water Authority since 1996. He worked at the Jamaica Water Authority prior to coming to Nassau. He’s been involved with water authorities for over 30 years.

“We are working on permanent treatment plants in the area,” Swartz said. “The temporary ones are ones that can go in real quickly, and we can get the wells back in service. The treatment plants are more extensive. They take a long time to design and build.”

The Water Authority’s temporary treatment facilities are granular activated carbon units (GACs) which take the volatile organics out of the water. The units are similar to the air stripping. The Water Authority puts them in because it’s, “quicker. You can get them in almost immediately,” Swartz said. “The GAC units are pretty much off the shelf-type things which you can get the tanks delivered to your site and have them up and running for four to six months as opposed to air-stripping units, which take about a year and a half to get designed.”

Johnson said he was displeased with the absentmindedness of the Water Authority and he couldn’t grasp the fact that Swartz said he had no clue of the community’s issue with the water. In terms of addressing the source of the contaminates, Swartz stated the Department of Environmental Conservation monitors the ground water and looks for the plumes of contamination and tries to find the actual source. The Water Authority provides the DEC with information from its wells, but “We have no idea where the contamination is coming from,” Swartz said.

“You’ve been with the Water Authority for 30 years,” Johnson said. “The state instituted standards of what parts-per-billion can be in the water. You oversee the water. What are you doing to help find the sources of the contamination? It’s not enough to say you provide them with information. What are you doing to help fix the problem?”

The Water Authority’s annual water report is released every May. The 2008 report (2009 is not available yet) stated the iron levels in Elmont reached a level 90. The maximum contaminant level allowed in water is 300, according to the report. But that doesn’t explain the reason why some tap water in Elmont looks like it came out of a coffee pot. The last time the pipes in Elmont were flushed was March.

“This is what’s coming out of the pipes and this is the color of my coffee I’m drinking this morning,” Johnson said while holding up the water and his drink. “You’ve been presented with taxpayer concerns. What is it going to take for you to flush the pipes again?”

Johnson stated after the meeting that he wants to hear more from members of the community who have experienced similar problems with their water. His office is still accepting written testimony, which can be sent to johnson@senate.state.ny.us, or mailed to 151 Herricks Road, Suite 202, Garden City Park, NY 11040.

The Water Authority of Western Nassau will be holding a public meeting on Monday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m. at its offices located at 58 South Tyson Avenue, Floral Park.