Press Releases

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

September 01, 2009
Suffolk Water Authority Brings Pure & Safe Water; Federal Stimulus Funding Pays For Water Main Extension to Browns Hills

The Suffolk County Water Authority has been awarded $3,800,000 in Federal stimulus funding through the New York State Drinking Water Revolving Fund to bring safe and pure drinking water to the community of Browns Hills. The residents of this small Orient community have lived for years with only 5-gallons of clean drinking water per day. The two shallow wells supplying this community are adjacent to farmland and nitrate levels exceed New York State safe drinking water standards.

To provide a long-term solution the Suffolk County Water Authority will construct a 17,763-foot long water main connecting Browns Hills and Orient with the rest of its north fork water system. The main will bring pure and safe water to the 24 homes in Browns Hills as well as another 100 possible homes along the route of the main. The funding, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will not only prevent a total loss of service for this isolated water system, but also provide additional fire protection. This is the only drinking water project receiving ARRA funding on Long Island.

“In Congress I have been working to increase funding for clean water infrastructure and waste water treatment because these are major concerns for Suffolk County residents,” said Congressman Tim Bishop. “This injection of Federal recovery funding to the Browns Hills area is valuable and timely.”

“All Suffolk County residents have put in a tremendous amount of effort and money into making sure our underground aquifers are protected now, and far into the future, “ said SCWA Chairman Michael LoGrande. “It’s important that all Suffolk residents have access to safe and pure drinking water. The level of funding makes it clear how important this project is to the New York State Department of Health, and the Water Authority.”

“We are dedicated to bringing pure, safe water to everyone who needs it at affordable prices,” said SCWA Board Member Patrick Halpin. “These families residing in Browns Hills desperately needed clean water, something most of us take for granted. This is a great use of Federal stimulus funds, saving our ratepayers millions of dollars.”

“Having safe drinking water is essential,” said SCWA Board Member Jane Devine. “I am happy that we could come up with a plan and get this project done for these families. We appreciate Governor David Paterson making this project a top priority.”

“Not only are we able to bring a much needed drinking water supply to these homes,” said SCWA Board Member James Gaughran, “we were able to do it with Federal stimulus funds. Due to the hard working staff, the SCWA will be able to install this main with a minimum impact on water rates in Suffolk.”

SCWA’s newest board member Frank Pellegrino said, ”This is one of the few areas in Suffolk that still lacks a reliable, clean water supply. By connecting to the existing SCWA water system in Southold, we can make sure this community does not experience an extended period without water. With only two wells, a simple equipment failure could have cut off their drinking water supply, and limited fire protection in Browns Hills.”

Focused on minimizing potential environmental impact from the project, the SCWA will use two installation techniques – horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and open-cut. HDD, one of the least obtrusive ways of installing main, starts with digging two holes on either end of that portion of buried main and a path is drilled for the main without disturbing the waterway or land. HDD will be used under the bridge on State Road 25. To minimize the environmental impacts of the open-cut method, the SCWA’s contractor will be installing hay bales and silt screen to prevent runoff. Also, the trench will be back filled and the road restored at the end of each workday, not only for safety, but also as a further precaution against erosion and runoff.

In addition to saving money on homeowner fire insurance, SCWA water provides a level of reassurance that no private well can. As the Water Authority tests its water 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, customers can be sure that their water not only tastes great, but that it is safe as well. Few people can afford or want to deal with the hassle of testing a private well once a year, much less everyday. And the best part, this high quality drinking water is a real bargain at an average cost of $1.46 per 1,000 gallons.