Co-Hosting Hearings on Long Island’s Aquifers

Concerns about Long Island's drinking water supply prompted myself and Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer to hold a joint hearing on water security recently.

Legislator Spencer and I held a public conference at the Suffolk County Legislature Building on Aug. 29 to discuss threats facing our water supply, such as pollution, overuse and saltwater contamination.

We are the largest population in New York State without sufficient protection and management of our water supply. It is critical that we do everything we can to safeguard this sensitive, essential and vulnerable natural resource now.

There is no comprehensive plan or management policy to protect Long Island's aquifers and anyone with a well permit can tap into the aquifer to remove water, which could lead to inadvertent contamination.  Nassau and Suffolk counties utilized more than 375 million gallons of groundwater per day for public, domestic, industrial and irrigation uses, according to a 2000 study by the United States Geological Survey.

A second hearing will take place at Clinton G. Martin Park in New Hyde Park on October 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The park is located in the Northeast corner of Marcus Avenue and New Hyde Park Road.  Attendees should enter at the Clinton G. Martin Park “Pool” sign.  For more information, please visit the Nassau County website or call my office at 516-571-6210.