Press Releases

Contact: Public Relations Department
Suffolk County Water Authority
PO Box 37
Oakdale NY 11769
(631) 563-0296

July 29, 2009
Independent Report Gives SCWA High Marks

The Suffolk County Water Authority is pleased to announce that Hazen and Sawyer’s 5-year external engineering audit has again given the Water Authority high marks. This report, which is required as part of SCWA’s 1988 bond covenant, looks at both the current water system and it’s ability to meet future needs. This includes everything from customer service to water quality.

Hazen and Sawyer’s report highlighted SCWA’s continuing commitment to customer service and specifically cited the Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) program as a way “…to improve customer relations and cash flow for the authority.” New AMR meters that send out radio signals are being installed by the SCWA and this technology will significantly reduce the number employees and vehicles required to the read the Authority’s 350,000 plus meters. In addition to controlling meter-reading costs, this program will reduce the need for estimated reads and the resulting customer questions and confusion caused by estimated reads. Overall, the report noted “…a drop in annual customer complaints by approximately 21 percent.”

Hazen and Sawyer also cited the move by SCWA away from the old Legacy computer system to a SAP system for improving customer service, especially for the management of customer data and billing accuracy. SAP has been instrumental in keeping the SCWA’s unaccounted water percentages low compared to other water utilities.

“This 5-year report from Hazen and Sawyer is reflective of past engineering reports that have clearly indicated that the SCWA is a professionally managed organization focused on keeping our customer costs down,” said SCWA Chairman Michael LoGrande. “This comprehensive engineering and operation audit shows that all of our hard work over the past ten years continues to benefit our customers in a very big way.”

“Our customers are important and we are focused on their needs every time we make a decision, and that is why we have place such a strong emphasis on customer service,” said Board Member Jane Devine. She explained that the report specifically highlighted customer service, and the improvements gained from such expensive “but needed” improvements like the installation of the SAP system. “It’s clear that using this technology has allowed us to better serve our customers now, and just as importantly, far into the future,” she added.

In addition to customer service improvements, Hazen and Sawyer also conducted thorough inspections at a number of SCWA facilities to assess the condition of the SCWA system and equipment. Overall, the report indicates that scheduled maintenance, some of which was commenced as a result of the last 5-year report, has significantly reduced problems with deterioration or corrosion at well stations, pump houses and the mains themselves.

“As development in Suffolk County wanes it is obvious we have to focus our efforts on infrastructure maintenance and not system growth,” said Board Member Frank Pellegrino. “We keep a constant eye on our system, and our repair and upgrade needs, so that we stay ahead of any potential infrastructure problems. This keeps costs down.” He pointed out that the report indicates that the system ranks among the most reliable in terms of main breaks.

In terms of management, Hazen and Sawyer said “the senior management team all appear to be in tune with, and actively participate in, strategic planning initiatives.” They went on to add, “The organization is logical, clearly defines responsibilities, eliminates overlap and meets current customer needs … the SCWA organization continues to progress in all management and planning facets including operations, maintenance, engineering and administrative services.”

“Our management team is focused on the goal of delivering the best possible water at the lowest cost, and is dedicated to a strong focus on goals and objectives. This report makes it clear that we are accomplishing that goal,” said Board Member Patrick Halpin.

“Our recent legal victory over the manufacturers of MTBE will allow us to clean up past contamination, and it sends a clear message that the SCWA is willing to go the distance to protect the needs of our customers by not only allowing the SCWA to clean up contamination, but even more important, protect the ratepayers from the sky high cost of cleaning up this contamination,” said Board Member James Gaughran.

Hazen and Sawyer’s SCWA Five Year Report